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Calling all pickle lovers! One sip is all it takes to fall in love with this unlikely but delicious Margarita recipe!
Pickle Juice Margarita
When my friend Kristen made these pickled Margaritas with her homemade pickles, I have to admit I was skeptical. I like pickles, and I also love to play with variety when it comes to my Margarita recipes; but I thought this might be a stretch -right?
I was wrong. The end result of shaking up some of the pickling juice in your margarita shaker gives this cocktail that cloudy, "dirty cocktail" taste, similar to my favorite dirty Margarita.
What Does it Taste Like?
This is a savory margarita cocktail that uses no sweetener, so the tanginess of the pickle juice shines through in this drink.
Ingredients
Everything you need to make this pickle cocktail can be found in the recipe card below, but before you make any swaps, here is why each ingredient is needed:
- Tequila: use your favorite brand of Blanco or Silver.
- Cointreau: or triple sec, a key ingredient in every great Margarita recipe!
- Lime juice: freshly squeezed is the best.
- Dill pickle juice: use your favorite brand; a little goes a long way.
- Garnishes: salt for rimming and a dill pickle spear.
What Kind of Pickles to Use in a Margarita
The type of pickles you use for making this margarita will make or break the cocktail. I recommend homemade or refrigerated dill pickles, not the ones in the pantry aisle with added food coloring.
How to Make a Pickle Juice Margarita
Crack open your pickle jar, and let's get shakin'! Here is how to make the best pickle Margarita, with a few additional tips in each step to ensure the best sip:
- Prep the glass
This cocktail is best enjoyed with a salted rim. Be sure to prep your glass first so you can enjoy your Margarita right after making it. - Make the cocktail
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the required ingredients. Give everything a vigorous shake until the sides of the glass are nice and frosted. - Serve & Garnish
You'll want to give your shaken mixture a good strain before pouring it into your prepared glass. Top with fresh ice and a pickle spear for a delicious snack to enjoy while sipping. Cheers!
Garnishes
This cocktail is best enjoyed with a salted rim and a pickle spear for added flavor! Want to shake things up? Try garnishing this Margarita with a Tajín coated rim for a spicy kick and pickle slices served on a cocktail pick for an elevated look. You can also take it up a notch by making it a spicy picky margarita.
Serving a Pickle Juice Margarita
For the best results, you'll want to serve this pickle Margarita in a lowball glass with a salted rim and lots of fresh ice! Be sure to garnish with a pickle spear to heighten the tangy flavors of this cocktail, and enjoy it as a boozy snack while you sip. Serve it with rotisserie chicken tacos or chips & salsa.
Pickle Margarita
Watch How It's Made
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- 1 ½ ounces Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce dill pickle juice
- 1 dill pickle spear, quartered
Instructions
Prep:
- If you enjoy a salted glass, prep the rim of your glass by rubbing a lime wedge along the rim. Dip in tequila salt, and set aside.
Make the marg:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and pickle juice. Shake vigorously until the sides are fully frosted.
Serve:
- Add fresh ice into the prepared glass and pour the margarita into the glass. You can also use the ice from the shaker; this is up to you.
- Add the quartered pickle spear into the glass and serve.
Lana says
Pickle obsessed and so this is my new fave margarita recipe!
Emily says
pickle lover here! And this is now my new favorite tequila cocktail!
Kai says
This pickle margarita had the perfect amount of tangy to boozy ratio! So good!!
Judy says
I've been craving pickles lately but this was NEXT LEVEL! So good. Making them again this weekend!