What is a Pickleback? The Weird Whisky Ritual That I Will Always Love
Now, I know what you're thinking:
“Pickle juice… with whisky?”
Yes. Yes, mate. I hate to rest on cliches, but don’t knock it until you try it. It’s unreal.
🥃 What Is a Pickleback?
The pickleback is a simple two-part shot ritual:
A shot of whisky (preferably Jameson, but honestly, anything decent will do).
A shot of pickle juice right after.
It might sound like a hangover waiting to happen, but stick with me. The acidity and salt of the pickle juice completely washes out the burn of the whisky—leaving you shocked at how smooth that combo goes down.
🧂 Where Did This Madness Come From?
The pickleback first made waves in the early 2000s in New York (because of course it did). A bartender at a Brooklyn bar offered a whisky chaser with pickle brine and the rest is, well, barroom history.
Since then, it’s spread like wildfire among bartenders, whisky lovers, and anyone who’s a bit pickle-curious.
🧪 Why Does It Work?
There’s actual science behind this madness:
The salt cuts the burn – neutralising the harsher ethanol notes of the whisky.
The vinegar resets your palate – so you’re left with a clean finish.
Your taste buds get confused in the best way – it’s like whisky and brine are natural enemies that cancel each other out.
Honestly, it works way better than chasing whisky with water or even beer.
🍺 The Craft Beer Twist: Enter the Pickle Beer
Now here’s where it gets even better…
Instead of chasing your whisky with pickle juice, what if you chased it with a pickle-flavoured beer?
That’s exactly what we’ve been doing here with Garage Project’s Pickle Beer—a dill pickle sour that’s bursting with mustard seed, fresh dill, coriander, habanero, and a salty, sour finish. It’s sharp, it’s wild, and it is chef’s kiss with a shot of Jameson.
🧪 Why It Works Even Better:
The beer brings a subtle fizz and flavour complexity.
The acidity still cuts through the whisky.
You get to pretend you're being sophisticated while chasing spirits with literal pickle water.
10/10, would recommend. (Also: don’t try five of them in a row, and don’t ask me how I know.)
👀 Do People Really Drink This?
Yes. And not just me after closing. Picklebacks are a legit part of drinking culture now. You’ll find them on menus from Melbourne to New York. And if the bartender raises an eyebrow? They’re probably judging you for ordering Fireball, not the pickleback.
🥒 Final Thoughts from a Pickleback Convert
Look, it’s not for everyone. But if you:
Like your drinks salty and savoury,
Want to hit the ground running after your whisky shot,
Or just want to surprise your mates at your next sesh…
…then the pickleback might just be your new party trick.
Come down and try it the To All My Friends way—with a cold can of Garage Project Pickle Beer, a shot of Jameson, and a whole lot of curiosity. You might just walk away a believer.