Pickleback
Easy
Sour, Spirits palpable & Sweet
1 Minute
Shot Glass
Ingredients
The Pickleback is a popular shot enjoyed in two steps: first, a shot of whiskey, followed by a shot of pickle juice as a chaser.
Perfect for parties, the Pickleback shot requires zero effort and is quick to prepare. Though the idea of drinking pickle juice might sound unusual, it pairs fantastically with whiskey. What started out as a playful experiment at a bar in New York has become one of the most popular shots in the world.
How To Make a Pickleback shot
Bar tools you’ll need
How to Mix
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Add Jameson Irish Whiskey into a shot glass.
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Add the pickle juice into a second shot glass.
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Skewer a gherkin with a cocktail skewer (or toothpick) and place it across the top of the shot glass containing pickle juice.
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Drink the whiskey shot first, then the pickle juice.
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Eat the gherkin.
Rico shows how to make 4 party shots, including the Pickleback!
All about the Pickleback
The Pickleback is a popular two-step shot made with Jameson Irish Whiskey in one shot glass and pickle juice in another. First drink the shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey followed by the pickle juice.
Sweet yet savory. It starts with the smooth, sweet and woody flavor of Jameson Irish Whiskey, followed immediately by the salty, tangy brine of pickle juice.
The pickle juice acts as a chaser, cutting through the warmth of the whiskey’s leaving a tangy aftertaste.
The Pickleback is said to have been invented in 2006 at a bar in Brooklyn, USA.
As the story goes, the bar was adjacent to a pickle company, and some of their pickles were stored in the bar’s basement. One evening, a customer requested a shot of pickle juice with her vodka, sparking the bartender’s creativity. This led to the playful pairing of a shot of bourbon with a shot of pickle juice. The patrons loved it, and the combination quickly became an instant hit.
Once the drink made its way to Manhattan, Jameson Irish Whiskey replaced bourbon as the preferred whiskey, a choice that has endured to this day. Today, the Pickleback can be found all over the globe.
- Choose your whiskey wisely
While the original Pickleback featured bourbon, today’s standard is to serve it with Jameson Irish Whiskey, which pairs beautifully with the pickle juice. Of course, if you have a preferred whiskey, feel free to use that. - Choose the right pickle juice
Pickle juice is essentially made from cucumbers, vinegar, water, and salt and sugar. Some varieties may also contain seasonings such as garlic and dill, which are delicious. So, when choosing your pickle juice, start with your favorite jar of dill pickles.We recommend choosing a pickle juice that’s strong in taste. Some people like their pickle juice to be salty and garlicky, others prefer theirs to be less salty. Choose the one that you like best.
- Experiment with different whiskies
Simply swap the Irish Whiskey for other whiskey types to see how they pair with the pickle juice. For example, use Rye Whiskey for a spicier profile or Bourbon for a sweeter, smoother finish.
While garnish isn’t essential, you can add a fun touch by skewering a gherkin on a cocktail stick and placing it across the top of your shot of pickle juice. After you’ve shot your whiskey and pickle juice, eat the gherkin to really accentuate the sweet, salty and tangy flavors of pickle juice.
Enjoy – it is a delicious shot!
Bartender and Global Brand Ambassador
Pickleback FAQ
Whiskey. Specifically, Jameson Irish Whiskey.
The Pickleback. That’s the drink recipe you’re looking at right now!
Drink the shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey from one shot glass, then follow it with the pickle juice from the second shot glass.
It’s a great shot to serve at parties where the pickle juice smooths out the warmth of the whiskey, acting as a palate cleanser of sorts.
