Shot
Pickleback
How to make a Pickleback - the whisky shot with a pickle brine chaser, a cult drink from the USA. The whiskey shot followed by salty pickle brine.
2 minPrep time
easyDifficulty
Shot glassGlass
1Serving(s)
The Pickleback is a simple but surprisingly balanced cult shot from Brooklyn: a sip of whiskey, immediately followed by a shot of salty pickle brine. The brine takes the bite off the whiskey and is addictive.
Instructions
- Pour the whiskey into a shot glass.
- Pour the pickle brine into a second shot glass.
- First drink the whiskey shot in one go.
- Immediately follow with the pickle brine as a chaser.
- Let the salty acidity round off the whiskey's bite.
Garnish: None
Pro tip: Use the brine from pickled dill cucumbers, not sweet-and-sour gherkin brine, so the salty acidity balances the whiskey perfectly.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Pickleback?
A Pickleback is a whiskey shot followed directly by a shot of pickle brine as a chaser.
Where does the Pickleback come from?
The Pickleback became popular in the late 2000s at a bar in Brooklyn, New York.
Why does pickle brine work as a chaser?
The salty acidity of the pickle brine neutralizes the sharpness of the whiskey and softens the alcohol aftertaste.
Ingredients
- Whiskey (bourbon or Irish whiskey)4 cl
- Pickle brine (from the jar)4 cl
