Pickle Shot

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Pickle juice and vodka might sound like an odd couple, but once you’ve had your first Pickle Shot, you’ll quickly realize they were made for each other.

The pickles had grown unusually large. The morning after I placed them in jars of brine, I looked in my fridge and noticed them bulging against the glass. Is this what happens? My mother and grandmother never mentioned anything like this. The family recipe they handed down to me from the old village they emigrated from was simple enough. Nothing that was used seemed odd or was hard to get a hold of. The new home I had moved into was said to have been built on an old atomic bomb testing site, but those were just rumors. So why was I worried that my swollen pickles were somehow connected…?

The night was like any other, warm and with a slightly cool wind rolling off of the desert. I kept my windows open on such evenings, watching the curtains billow in the breeze, hypnotizing me to sleep as I lay in bed. I didn’t dream. I remember fading off into a comfortable slumber, only to be awakened with a start. My eyes shot open, sleep disappearing from my brain in a nanosecond. The clock on the wall told me three hours had passed. Fear gripped me. I soon discovered why.

The pickles from the refrigerator had surrounded my bed, each one standing well over six foot. They were drenched in brine, and the smell of dill and vinegar quickly rushed into my nostrils, watering my eyes. The giant vegetables seemed to be breathing, a strange bubbling combination of wheezing and squishing that turned my stomach. Were they going to eat me, in retaliation for more than likely knowing I was going to nosh on them?

The pickle directly to my left leaned in closer, dripping juice all over my face. “Do you have any vodka?“, it warbled at me. I shook my head yes, pointing past the bedroom door toward the kitchen. They all seemed to look at each other, nodding in some kind of excitement or acknowledgement. One by one they began to file out of my room, leaving a slimy trail of brine on my carpet behind them. The pickle that spoke to me piped up again in that odd, out-of-tune voice. “We want shots of us.”

They all laughed, but the noise they made sounded monstrous and choked as opposed to jovial. I heard bottles clanking clumsily as they raided my home bar, presumably helping themselves to the few vodkas I kept on hand. I didn’t notice any of them with pickle arms or pickle hands or opposable thumbs, so how they were carrying my booze was beyond me. Suddenly they were outside my window, marching single file away into the desert, off toward the mysterious green glow that appears every night on the horizon.

I’m still waiting for my realtor to explain what that is.

Who Created The Pickle Shot?

The Pickle Shot, also known as a Pickleback, was the invention of Brooklyn bartender Reggie Cunningham at the Bushwick Country Club in 2006. Originally comprised of whiskey and pickle juice, the recipe was soon found to be quite versatile, working with any number of different spirits. It’s no surprise the shot is now popular worldwide.

What Are The Best Ingredients To Use In A Pickle Shot?

Whenever I’ve partaken in Pickle Shots with friends, it was usually impromptu and unplanned. My good buddy will often grab a jar of Vlasic Dill Spears and pour the juice from it. If you’re not adept at making your own homemade pickles—my mother does this, and believe you me, it’s a process—grab your favorite brand of dills. Paired with a crisp, unflavored vodka—either potato or rye distilled—the sharp taste of the brine can counterbalance the flavor and burn of the spirit.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?

Chill four shot glasses in your freezer for around thirty minutes, salt the rim if you wish and serve with a few mini pickles or gherkins on the side for garnish.

WHAT OTHER SPIRITS WORK IN A PICKLE SHOT?

The original Pickleback shot was mixed with whiskey, but other spirits (like the vodka used in our recipe) will work nicely too, as does tequila.

Other Shots Worth Trying

Who knew that pickle juice and a strong spirit would make a great pair, but thankfully somebody did. If the Pickle Shot got you thinking about other interesting and mouthwatering shooters, check out the variety of recipes that we have here at Twist & Toast. Check these out, and make sure you explore the site for even more ideas.

• Lemon Drop Shot – Sweet, tart and strong, this classic shooter satisfies even the toughest critic.
• Red Snapper Shot – Whiskey, amaretto and cranberry juice come together in this eye-opening shooter.
• Washington Apple Shot – A sour apple shot you won’t soon forget.
• Cement Mixer – More of a dare than a shot, the Cement Mixer is sure to keep your guests entertained.