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Dill Pickle ShotPickle Shots with Vodka
April 7, 2022 | Laura
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These pickle shots are perfect for all pickle lovers. If you like to drink pickle juice straight from the jar then these shots are for you! These pickle shots are made with vodka, and the shot glasses are rimmed with chili pepper, lime, & salt seasoning (Tajin) for extra flavor. Also can't forget to garnish with a pickle slice!
Pickle Shots made with Vodka- yes, please!
In college, we would go to this shot bar that had the best pickle shots. Every time we went out we would find ourselves there ordering up that salty pickle goodness.
Then, years later, my husband handed me what he called a 'pickle shot.' I was caught off guard because this was not the pickle shot I was used to. Instead of vodka, there was whiskey. These are called picklebacks.
Pickleback shots are a shot of whiskey followed by a shot of pickle juice. Ehh, not a big fan.
I still haven't found a place that gives you a vodka pickle shot when you order one. It's usually whiskey or tequila.
So, for that reason, here's exactly what you need to make a delicious vodka pickle shot. I know you already have a jar of pickles in your fridge. Your taste buds will thank you!
Pickle Shots Recipe Ingredients
*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
✽ Dill Pickle Juice (Pickle Brine): While I don't think that all pickle brands are the same, I do think that all pickles are delicious. Use your favorite brand of pickles to make these shots. I've actually seen the 1 gallon of pickle juice sold by Best Maid. I think I need to invest in that.
✽ Vodka: Use your favorite vodka to make these shots. Get out your good quality vodka or go with bottom shelf. One of my favorite vodkas is Tito's Handmade Vodka.
✽ Tajin: Tajin is a seasoning that has flavors of lime, chili peppers, and sea salt. It goes great on pretty much anything including the rim of the pickle shot glass. In fact, it may be the best part of the shot.
You can leave it off if you want, but you'll be missing out on this great flavor. If you don't like it spicy, you could also rim the shot glass with celery salt.
✽ Round Dill Pickle Slices: Round slices of dill pickles are so cute when used as a garnish for these shots.
I like to take the shot and the follow it up with a pickle slice and eating the rest of the Tajin left on the glass. If you don't have any pickle slices, you could also chase the shot with a bite of a pickle spear.
How to Make Pickle Shots
➊ In a cocktail shaker, combine a couple cubes of ice, 1 ounce pickle juice, and 1 ounce of vodka. You can make multiple pickle shots at a time. Just make sure you keep the ratio of vodka to pickle juice the same= 1:1. Shake until chilled, about 10 seconds.
If you skip the shaker part, you'll end up with a room temperature shot. It's not bad, but the chilled version is much better, in my opinion. You could also stir the pickle juice and vodka with ice until chilled and then strain out the ice.
➋ Dip the rim of the shot glass into a bit of extra pickle juice. Then immediately run the top rim of your glass in a pile of Tajin seasoning so the rim of the glass is covered with Tajin.
➌ Strain the pickle shot into the prepared pickle shot glasses. Cut a small slit into a pickle slice and place on the side of the shot glass for a garnish. And that's all it takes to get the delicious final product! Cheers!
Dill Pickle Shots with Vodka: Questions
✽ Can you use a different liquor for these pickle shots?
Absolutely! You can use whiskey or tequila instead of vodka. Even gin would be good substitute as well. Check out my recipe for pickle tequila shots!
✽ What is a pickleback shot?
As I mentioned previously in this post, the original pickleback is a shot of whiskey followed by a shot of pickle brine. The pickle juice, in this case, is called a chaser. Usually a pickleback consists of a shot of Jameson, an Irish whiskey.
It's said that the pickle juice acts as a neutralizer and helps to prevent the burn of the alcohol. This makes the whiskey go down easier.
✽ What else can I do with this pickle vodka?
If taking shots isn't your thing, no worries. 1 part pickle juice mixed with 1 part vodka (or pickled vodka) is also really good stirred into other alcoholic drinks. Vodka recipes for the win!
Replace the gin in a martini recipe with pickle juice vodka, and then you'll have yourself a pickle martini for all you martini drinkers! It's like a dirty martini, but the olive brine (olive juice) is swapped out with pickle brine. Just strain into martini glasses instead of shot glasses. This one is for you if you love good briny cocktails!
This pickle vodka combination is especially good inside of a bloody mary. The salty pickle brine complements the flavors of the tomato, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, black pepper, and other savory components so well. Mix it with some bloody mary mix or into a drunken shrimp cocktail. It would also make the perfect addition to these blood mary shots!
You could even enjoy it on the rocks as a straight vodka and pickle juice cocktail.
✽ Can I make these vodka pickle shots spicier?
The Tajin rim brings in a bit of heat to the pickle flavor. However, if you want to bring up the heat just a notch, trying adding a dot or two of hot sauce to the shot right before you kick it back for spicy pickle juice. A delicious way to get an extra kick!
Looking for more delicious alcoholic shot recipes?
→ Check out all of my favorite shot recipes and cocktail recipes!
Pickle Shots with Vodka
By Laura | Laura the Gastronaut
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 shot
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These shots deliver that all that delicious pickle taste. Pickle vodka shots are so easy and quick to make and perfect every fan of pickles. Don't forget to garnish with the rims of the shot glasses with a pickle chip and Tajin to make them even tastier!
*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
Ingredients
• 1 ounce dill pickle juice
• 1 ounce vodka
• Tajin seasoning, for shot glass rim
• Round dill pickle slices, for garnish
Instructions
➊ In a cocktail shaker, combine pickle juice and vodka with two ice cubes. Shake until chilled, about 10 seconds.
➋ Dip the rim of shot glass in a bit of pickle juice. Roll rim of shot glass in a pile of Tajin until the rim is coated.
➌ Strain pickle shot into shot glass.
➍ Cut a small slit into a round pickle slice, and place on to side of shot glass as a garnish. Cheers!
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✽ Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment below and sharing on Instagram. Tag @laurathegastronaut and hashtag it #laurathegastronaut.
Category: Alcoholic Shots Cuisine: American
Keywords: pickle cocktail, pickle shot recipes, pickle shots with vodka, vodka pickle shots, pickle shots with tajin garnish
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Bon appétit!
April 7, 2022 by Laura Ehlers
*This Pickle Shots with Vodka blog post and recipe may contain some Amazon affiliate links. These link to products that I personally use and recommend. If you purchase anything using my links, it will not cost you anything. It will though give laurathegastronaut.com some financial support which helps me keep this blog running. Thank you for reading my blogs and your continued support.