Pickleback Shot

If you enjoy making party shots, you have to try the Pickleback Shot. This shot is comprised of a shot of Irish whiskey chased by a shot of pickle juice. It’s surprisingly delicious and a really fun combination.

Related: Green Tea Shot, Kamikaze Shot, Jello Shots, Lemon Drop Shot.

What is a Pickleback Shot?

A Pickleback Shot is a shot of Irish whiskey (you may also use American whiskey) chased immediately by a shot of pickle juice. This unlikely pairing is delicious and so much fun for a party! We also serve ours with a pickle as garnish.

This recipe was officially invented by bartender Reggie Cunningham at Bushwick Country Club in 2006. It has been famous ever since!

Ingredients

• Irish Whiskey – Such as Jameson. You may also use whatever whiskey you have on hand.
• Pickle Juice – Straight from a jar of pickles!
• Pickle – Use a pickle as an optional garnish.

How To Make

To prepare this shot, begin with two shot glasses. In the first glass, pour a shot of Irish whiskey. In the second glass, pour a shot of pickle juice. You can also add a pickle (I used a cocktail stick to add mine) as an optional garnish.

To serve, drink the whiskey shot first and then chase it with the pickle juice shot.

Tips for Making

• Choosing a Whiskey – The preferred spirit for this shot is Jameson Irish whiskey. You can use any whiskey you have on hand such as an American whiskey like Jack Daniel’s, but Irish whiskey is the best option!
• Pickle Juice – The brine from any jar of pickles does the job. If you want to be fancy, the best pickle brand we recommend is McClure’s.
• Pairs Well With – Many people enjoy a beer after a pickleback shot. This is considered an ideal pairing. Start the night off with this fun shot and then switch to beer.

More Recipes to Try

• More Cocktails – Pisco Sour, Jolly Rancher Shot, 60+ Party Shots.
• Appetizer Ideas – Caprese Skewers, Stuffed Mushrooms.
• Dessert Ideas – Peanut Butter Balls, Apple Pie Filling.
• New Recipes – Birria Pizza, Pesto Pasta, Crab Cakes.

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5 from 5 votes

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Learn to make a Pickleback Shot using one shot of Irish whiskey and a second shot of pickle juice (pickle brine). 

Yield 1 shot

Prep 2 minutes mins

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 ½ ounces Irish Whiskey
• ▢ 1 ½ ounces pickle juice

Equipment

• ▢
  2 shot glasses

Instructions

• To prepare this shot, begin with two shot glasses.
• In the first glass, pour a shot of Irish whiskey.
• In the second glass, pour a shot of pickle juice. You can also add a pickle (I used a cocktail stick to add mine) as an optional garnish.
• To serve, drink the whiskey shot first and then chase it with the pickle juice shot.

Notes

• Choosing a Whiskey – The preferred spirit for this shot is Jameson Irish whiskey. You can use any whiskey you have on hand such as an American whiskey like Jack Daniel’s, but Irish whiskey is the best option!
• Pickle Juice – The brine from any jar of pickles does the job. If you want to be fancy, the best pickle brand we recommend is McClure’s.
• Pairs Well With – Many people enjoy a beer after a pickleback shot. This is considered an ideal pairing. Start the night off with this fun shot and then switch to beer.

© Author Elsie Larson

Course cocktail

Cuisine American

Keywords pickleback shot

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Pickleback Shot

Amount per Serving

Calories

118

% Daily Value*

Sodium

 

638

mg

28

%

Potassium

 

0.4

mg

0

%

Carbohydrates

 

3

g

1

%

Sugar

 

0.04

g

0

%

Iron

 

0.01

mg

0

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.