How to Make a Pickleback Shot

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 09/12/21
Tested by
Tom Macy
Photo of Tom Macy
Tested by Tom Macy
Tom wears many cocktail hats. He is a professional bartender, bar owner, recipe creator, and drink writer, though he prefers the title "obsessive cocktail nerd."
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Pickleback Shot Recipe

 The Spruce 
Prep: 2 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 2 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 shot
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
134 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 134
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1316mg 57%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 9mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The pickleback is a very interesting whiskey shot and a drink you have to experience for yourself. It's incredibly simple—a shot of Jameson chased by a shot of pickle juice—and it is, without a doubt, one of the most popular shots ordered in bars around the world.

Chasing whiskey with pickle brine really is nothing new; it's long been one of those "hair of the dog" remedies for hangovers. Yet, it wasn't until 2006 that Brooklyn bartender Reggie Cunningham gave the shot its now-famous name at the Bushwick Country Club. After that, it didn't take long for the drink to become a hit and spread across the U.S. and beyond.

The combination is odd, though it works surprisingly well. Even if you're not a fan of pickles, it's a drink you'll want to try because it delivers a rich, umami flavor that you will not find in any other drink. There's no need to head to the bar, either. You can experience the pickleback at home, even with that jar of Vlasic pickles hanging out in your fridge.

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Click Play to See This Interesting Pickleback Shot Come Together

"The pickleback seems like an unlikely pairing, but it just brings two of the best things in life together—whiskey and vinegar. Whether it actually cures a hangover or is an efficient way to perk up will continue to be debated, but don't get hung up on that. Just enjoy this party of flavors." —Tom Macy

How to Make a Pickleback Shot Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey, like Jameson

  • 1 1/2 ounces pickle juice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for pickleback shot
     The Spuce

  2. Pour one shot glass full of whiskey and fill a separate shot glass with pickle juice.

    Pouring pickle juice into a shot glass
     The Spruce

Tip

Many people have found that a beer chaser is a perfect way to finish up the pickleback, though it's not required. If you'd like to give it a try, stick with the light, refreshing lagers. Dos Equis, Tecate, and Pabst Blue Ribbon are some of the top choices among pickleback fans.

The Irish Whiskey

The key to making a great pickleback really is in the whiskey. You can pour any Irish whiskey—or any other whiskey, for that matter—but it will not be the same as a shot of Jameson. Maybe it's this particular whiskey's woody sweetness or something else entirely. It's hard to explain why, but Jameson creates the best tasting pickleback.

While Jameson is not the original whiskey, it is the most popular today, and likely led to the shot's success. Cunningham's first round (or 10 rounds, according to his account) of the pickleback actually used Old Crow. This is good news if you want a pickleback and want to save money. It's not quite as tasty as Jameson, but it's pretty good.

The Pickle Juice

As stringent as you should be about the whiskey, there's no need to be picky about the pickle juice. The brine from any jar of pickles will work. Go ahead and pour from that commercially produced jar or your favorite homemade pickles—the shot will be just as good either way.

The pickle juice is also where you can have some fun. Bartenders around the country have played with a variety of pickle bases to great success. Some bars even stock up to 10 jars for this exact purpose. Try fruity brines, spicy brines, or something in between to see which you like best. If you want to keep it authentic, McClure's is the brand of pickles Cunningham used and recommends.

How Strong Is a Pickleback?

Since you're not mixing the whiskey with the pickle juice, but chasing it, your pickleback is no different than a straight shot of whiskey. If you use Jameson, it will be an 80-proof shot (40 percent ABV). The pickle juice just adds more content to your stomach, which may slow down the alcohol's effects and help prevent a hangover (unless you overdo it, of course).

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