Pucker up and cool off this summer with the tart and tangy Pickle Margarita.
The roadside motel was a dusty one, and nondescript too. That was the idea, though. I needed someplace to lay low, and if this place was only known as “Motel”, like the neon sign read, all the better. And with the letter “M” being on the fritz, this OTEL was the perfect place to wait out the terror that had been following me across the land.
I was the only guest here, so if anybody else showed up, I’d know right away. Sitting up and peeking out of the window ensured I would, but so far, only an empty parking lot bathed in a sickly yellow light could be seen. Nobody came in or out of this desolate place, not even the front desk clerk. They seemed bolted to that chair and were covered in what I thought were cobwebs. Could’ve just been my imagination running away with me.
And then the shadows began to grow longer across the asphalt outside, and my eyes widened in horror. Tall, dark shapes started shambling across the empty parking lot and toward my room. The pickles, mutated and as tall as a man, with arms and legs, had found me once again, sashaying with an almost menacing purpose. What that purpose was, I didn’t intend to discover. I sat frozen with fear as they lumbered up to my window, peering inside with those eyeless, bumpy faces, sweating and dripping with a salty, slimy brine.
Then I was startled awake, still seated at the window in my motel room, spying out at the parking lot, which thankfully was empty. A dream. But was that a shadow moving across the way?
A few shadows?
What is the best tequila to use in a Pickle Margarita?
Speaking from personal experience, I’ve found that a smooth tequila blanco goes perfectly with a little of that devilishly delicious dill. With notes of agave, citrus and pepper, the earthy and sometimes savory unaged spirit melds harmoniously with the pickle juice you’ll use in this eye-opening ‘Rita. If you’re looking for something a little more complex and robust, you can try using an amber-colored reposado tequila instead.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila blanco
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 ounce dill pickle juice
- 1 dill pickle to garnish
- Lime wedge to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, triple sec, freshly squeezed lime juice, and pickle juice.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
- Fill a rocks glass with ice. Strain the cocktail into the glass and garnish with one dill pickle and an optional lime wedge. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Fill a rocks glass with ice and pour your drink in once it’s ready. Garnish with a fresh and plump lime wedge as well as a little dill pickle.
What is the best pickle brine to use?
My mom’s homemade pickles are the best you’ll ever have. But since those are fairly exclusive, you can’t go wrong with some Vlasic or Claussen kosher dill pickle juice, with those being my personal favorite store-bought brands.
Similar cocktails to the Pickle Margarita
I’ll never forget the day my buddy poured all of us some shots of tequila and then followed those with a pickle juice chaser. I love pickles, but I never once considered mixing my booze with that tangy, satisfying brine. Well, turns out there are some delicious and memorable beverages out there that depend on the vinegary charms of some kosher dill pickle juice. If you’re still on the fence, check these recipes out.
- Pickle Shot – Vodka and pickle juice make an amazing team.
- Pickle Martini – Satisfy your dill curiosity with this tantalizing tipple.
- Pickeback Shot – Grab your favorite whiskey and whip up this contemporary classic.
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