The only thing better than a good recipe? When something’s so easy that you don’t even need one. Welcome to It’s That Simple, a column where we talk you through the dishes and drinks you can make with your eyes closed.
My cooking ethos is to use up every ingredient, down to the last drop—I even wrote a whole cookbook about it. Whether it’s saving chicken bones for stock, leek tops for frittata, or egg whites to make granola shiny, stretching the life of an ingredient is not only more budget-friendly, but it’s also more sustainable.
One of my favorite conscious-cooking hacks is to save the pickle juice from the jar. It’s good for all sorts of things, like making punchy vinaigrettes and marinades and adding a boost of flavor to chicken salad. And I splash it into my martinis.
When it comes to martinis, I say the dirtier the better. And while I love a classic dirty martini, in my effort to tackle food waste at home, I’ve become a convert team pickle. And yes, I know the dirty martini craze has gotten out of hand, but I’m not asking you to add a ball of mozzarella here. Staying in line with the classic, the premise is simple—all it takes is swapping olive brine for pickle juice.
This is my go-to whenever I’m hosting. It’s equal parts delicious as it is a conversation starter, and those who are olive-averse will thank you.
Similar to olive brine, pickle juice is made with a combination of salt, vinegar, and water. Just keep in mind that different types of pickles are stored in different brines. Dill pickle juice is heavy on the salt and herbs. Sweet pickles have sugar in the brine, which can actually be a great complement in a martini. Cornichons have a more tart, acidic flavor. Whichever pickle juice you use will impact the martini—but I’m here to tell you they all work well.
Vodka or gin is up to you. I’m of the gin camp, which offers a more botanical-forward flavor that pairs well with pickle brine. Vodka typically provides cocktails with a blank slate and cleaner taste, so the pickle flavor will be even more front and center.
How to make a Pickle Martini
Place martini or cocktail glass in the freezer to chill completely.
Add 2½ oz. vodka or gin, ½ oz. dry vermouth, and ½ oz. pickle brine to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake until chilled, at least 20 seconds. Strain into the chilled martini or cocktail glass. Garnish with a pickle.