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Home » Shots

Jun 9, 2023 · Modified: Jun 18, 2023 by Kristin

Pickelback Shot

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Get ready to pucker up with this pickleback shot! This fun combination features a back to back duo of smooth Jameson whiskey followed by a shot of tangy and zesty pickle juice. Get ready, get set and brace yourself for this unique flavor experience that will leave your taste buds dancing.

Pickleback shot with a pickle on the rim on a wooden table.
Jump to:
  • 🥃 What is a PickleBack Shot?
  • ⭐ When to Make This Drink
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🥄 Equipment
  • 📋 Ingredients
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Instructions
  • Recipe

🥃 What is a PickleBack Shot?

A pickleback shot is actually two shots one quickly followed by the other. You first take a shot of whiskey and then follow that by a shot of pickle juice. The unique flavor combination may seem odd, but it’s actually quite delicious with the smooth caramel tones of the whiskey being highlighted by the tart tangy vinegar in the pickle juice.

This shot’s history supposedly dates back to the early 2000s. And quickly got popular and spread across the United States.

Need a few reasons to convince yourself to try this one? Here are all the reasons why you love it:

  • Fun party favor. It’s sure to be a central talking point at any party when you whip out pickle juice and decide to do a shot. Use this one for parties and get together is where you want to get a little conversation going.
  • Easy. This is literally so easy to make. You literally pour whiskey and one shot glass and pickle juice in the other. You don’t get much easier than that.
  • Oddly yummy. Though it might not seem like it would be, it’s actually quite tasty with the smooth whiskey flavor combined with the tart and tangy vinegar in the pickle juice.

Another shot that doesn’t taste quite as good as this one, but is made by taking one shot followed by another is a cement mixer shot.

⭐ When to Make This Drink

This quirky shot is a great addition to various occasions and events including:

  • Casual get togethers
  • Birthday parties
  • Game day
  • Celebrations

📖 Variations

Mix things up a little by utilizing some of these fun flavor variations for this drink:

  • Add a beer chaser. Often times the shot is served with beer as a chaser. You can use any type of beer that you prefer. A nice lager with lime would go well.
  • Different whiskey. Jameson’s Irish whiskey is the go-to for most whiskey-based drinks in this house. And, it’s the go-to for most people who make this shot. It’s smoothness and easy to drink flavor just pairs perfectly with apple juice. However, if you want to use a different type of whiskey that’s perfectly all right any type will do fine.
  • Experiment with pickle juice flavor. We simply like to use dill pickle juice straight out of the jar of pickles in our fridge. However, you can use any type of pickle juice you want try out spicy brine or sweet and sour fine. It can really vary the flavor of the shot.

🥄 Equipment

  • Shot glasses
  • jigger

📋 Ingredients

  • 2 oz Jamesons
  • 2 oz Pickle juice
  • Pickle (optional garnish)
Whiskey next to a jigger with pickle juice and two shot glasses.

👩🏻‍🍳 Instructions

Step one

Get started by gathering everything up. You’ll need pickle juice, Jameson Irish whiskey, a pickle slice, jigger and two shot glasses.

Pouring pickle juice from jigger into shot glass.

Step two

Measure up 2 ounces of pickle juice with your jigger. Then, add that to the shot glass.

Pouring whiskey from jigger into shot glass.

Step three

Measure out 2 oz of Irish whiskey with your jigger. Then, add that to the other shot glass.

Step four

Take a pickle and cut a small slice. Then, cut a notch in the slice and place it on the rim of the glass holding the pickle juice.

Alternatively, you can use a small gherkin or other mini pickle and place it across the top of the shot glass.

Step Five

Take the shot by first chugging the shot of whiskey and then chugging the shot of pickle juice.

Recipe

Pickleback shot with a pickle on the rim on a wooden table.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Pickleback shot

Prep Time2 minutes mins
Course: Drinks
Keyword: Pickleback shot
Servings: 1

Equipment

  • 2 shot glass
  • jigger

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Jameson's Irish Whiskey
  • 2 oz Pickle Juice
  • Pickle (optional garnish)

Instructions

  • Gather up the ingredients and equipment listed in the sections above before you get started.
  • Use the jigger and measure 2 oz of Jameson's Irish Whiskey. Dump the Jameson's into one shot glass.
  • Use the jigger and measure 2 oz of Pickle Juice. Dump the Pickel Juice into the other shot glass.
  • If desired, add a pickle (spear or chip) to the pickle juice shot glass rim.
  • Take the shot of Jameson's quickly followed by the shot of pickle juice.

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