Liquor + pickle juice = awesome?
Back in college, I knew a Russian native named Valentin.
Unsurprisingly, Valentin liked vodka. Surprisingly, Valentin liked to chase vodka with chopped pickles.
Did I just trigger your gag reflex? Well, hold on a second and hear me out on this.
Valentin would bring over a bottle of vodka and a jar of dill pickles. He'd chop the pickles into bite sized pieces, take a shot of vodka and pop one of the pickle pieces into his mouth. It's real big in Russia, I hear.
The way I understand it is, pickle juice is a base which counteracts the acid in the alcohol. Maybe it's the other way around. I've never claimed to be a chemist.
After some peer pressure, Valentin convinced us to try it, too. And, by God, it worked.
The pickle taste swept the vodka's sting right away. I was floored. The downside? It's kind of a trade-off: Pickle juice replaces the sharp vodka aftertaste. So if you hate pickles, you're not gonna like this.
I hadn't encountered this phenomenon in Baltimore until last night ...
I dropped by the Idle Hour (201 E. Fort Ave.) for a nightcap and to catch up on some South Baltimore bar gossip. Brendan, one of the owners, told me about a recent trip to Pottsville, Penn. (to tour the Yuengling brewery) and then to New York City.
That got him talking about the Pickle Back. From what Brendan said, the Pickle Back was born in a New York City bar. And it's not too far removed from the pickle and vodkas we did back in college.
The pickle back is a shot of Jameson followed by a shot of pure pickle juice. Idle Hour serves them on a fairly regular basis. However, I believe they serve them with Jack Daniels, not Jameson. Brendan, if you read this correct me.
But the brand of liquor doesn't seem to matter. I tried one last night, and lemme tell ya -- pickle juice works like a charm. I can't say that I'd ever order one again, but I'm glad I did it once.
(Sun archive photo of pickles by Kim Hairston. AP photo of vodka bottles.)
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
Comments
Ah great idea! Iwill have to try it tonight. The only thing I use pickle juice for behind the bar is a dirty martini with pickle juice instead of olive and a dash of hot.
Posted by: John | November 20, 2008 1:24 PM
I spent a month in Russia and became very familiar with the pickle chaser. Might have to start frequenting Idle Hour, since must bartenders think I am crazy when I request it.
Posted by: Casper | November 20, 2008 1:41 PM
My BFF and I had these at Idle Hour a few months ago - shot of Jack followed by the pickle juice. We were super wary at first, but they were really delicious.
Posted by: aeb | November 20, 2008 2:08 PM
A few years ago, I had a group of customers that were big into what they deemed the "Pickle Power." A shot of Cuervo followed by a chunk of pickle. I think they were from Pittsburgh.
My Grandfather, an immigrant who was fond of his vodka, swore by a shot of pickle juice to settle his stomach on the morning after. It has always worked for me. (Not that I would ever drink to excess...)
“The way I understand it is, pickle juice is a base which counteracts the acid in the alcohol”
Vodka is made up of ethanol and water, which would have approximately the pH of the water, which should be completely neutral. Pickle brine is primarily water, vinegar and salt, which makes it pretty acidic. You would think pickles would make you feel worse, not better! The chemistry makes no sense to me, but I’ll swear it works!
A list of pickle cocktails: http://www.sheckys.com/newyorkcity/nightlife/pickle_my_liver_best_pickle_cocktails_6545.asp
(Why in the HELL do I have that bookmarked, and how did I stumble across it?)
Oh – and Jason – pickles will help you find parking.
-gerry
Posted by: Pickled Parrot | November 20, 2008 2:17 PM
My friend swears by dill pickles as a hangover cure, but I've never tried them as a chaser. Very interesting...
Posted by: Kate | November 20, 2008 3:21 PM
Pickle juice can also be used for leg and/or side cramps. Runners and football players swear by it. Also, if you take a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar, you will have the same effect. The taste for each is much to be desired.
Posted by: peter piper | November 20, 2008 7:36 PM
I also swear by pickle juice as a hangover cure. I prefer half sour, but I suppose dill would work.
Posted by: pretty ricky | November 21, 2008 1:30 PM
I tried the pickle back with vodka and it is great, a vodka martini made with pickle juice, instead of olive juice, sounds good. I tried the pickle juice with jack and jameson, but with a little less success.
Posted by: Jason | November 22, 2008 8:13 AM
I've been serving pickle backs at my bar in south beach, too! and you can get them at a dive bar also in south beach if you ask (they don't really serve them there, but they have a kitchen which stocks dill pickles and they have no problem pouring out a little of the juice from the jar). Love it!!!!!!
Posted by: Hillary Choo | June 20, 2009 4:22 PM
Ah yes...the pickelback. I recall a bad night of karaoke at Nick's Fish House singing their hit "Rockstar" or was it "Far Away"? Maybe I don't recall it.
Posted by: Abject Disaster | June 22, 2009 9:03 AM
just got back from a trip to ocean city, md. the pickle pub serves pickle shots-pickle juice and vodka already mixed together. mmmm.........
Posted by: l mullins | July 28, 2009 3:51 PM
Heather at Amici's make them once in a while. Smaczna
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | July 29, 2009 2:30 PM
I prefer my picklebacks at Idle Hour with Pikesville Rye. Everywhere else I like them with Crown Royal. I like to keep it super classy.
Posted by: LGood | July 30, 2009 9:54 AM
We've been doing that shot for years in the Midwest under the name "Eagle Bomb.". I think it started at a bachelor party gone wrong with nothing left but a bottle of crown and condiments. Crown and mustard didn't sound appealing so we mixed it with pickle juice. Pretty awful mix to be %100 honset.. But it is still ordered regularly when with close friends from the bachelor party.
Posted by: Mdunseth | January 8, 2010 1:11 AM
Second Chance Saloon in Columbia does this!
Posted by: brian | January 8, 2010 12:08 PM