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If you ask me, dill pickle vodka is one of those ideas that sounds crazy until you try it.
This tangy infused spirit makes a fun addition to your home bar that’s packed with briny, herbal flavor. The sharp bite of dill pickles mingles with smooth vodka for something totally different.
It’s made by soaking pickle spears and fresh dill in quality vodka for several days. A splash of pickle juice and some garlic help the whole thing come together.
It’s a conversation starter that works great in cocktails, perfect for anyone who loves pickle-flavored anything.
Why You’ll Love This Dill Pickle Vodka
- Super simple to make – With just three ingredients and minimal prep time, this infused vodka is as easy as mixing and waiting.
- Perfect for pickle lovers – If you’re already drinking pickle juice straight from the jar, this boozy version takes your pickle obsession to the next level.
- Great for entertaining – This unique infused vodka makes an impressive addition to cocktails and is sure to be a conversation starter at parties.
- Uses leftover pickle juice – Instead of pouring that briny goodness down the drain, you can turn it into something special that won’t go to waste.
- Make-ahead friendly – Once you start the infusion process, it does all the work for you over several days, and you’ll have homemade flavored vodka ready whenever you need it.
What Kind of Vodka Should I Use?
For dill pickle vodka, you don’t need to break the bank with a premium bottle since the pickle juice will be doing most of the flavor work. A mid-range vodka works perfectly fine, and honestly, even a budget-friendly option will give you great results. The key is starting with a clean-tasting vodka that won’t compete with those tangy pickle flavors you’re going for. If you have a favorite vodka that you already enjoy drinking, that’s probably your best bet since you know you like the base flavor. Just avoid anything that’s already flavored or has a harsh bite to it, as that can throw off the balance of your finished infusion.
Options for Substitutions
This simple infusion is pretty straightforward, but here are a few ways you can switch things up:
- Vodka: Any neutral vodka works great here – you don’t need to splurge on the expensive stuff since the pickle flavor will be the star. If you’re out of vodka, you could try this with gin for a more herbal twist.
- Dill pickle juice: Make sure to use good quality pickle juice from a jar you actually enjoyed eating. Different brands have varying salt and dill levels, so taste as you go. Avoid sweet pickle juice unless you want a completely different flavor profile.
- Dill pickles: Whole dill pickles work best, but you can use pickle spears or even gherkins. Just avoid bread and butter pickles or any sweet varieties – they’ll throw off the savory balance you’re going for.
- Additional flavoring: Want to get creative? Try adding a few peppercorns, a garlic clove, or fresh dill sprigs during the infusion process for extra complexity.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest mistake when infusing vodka with pickle juice is using cheap, low-quality vodka, which will give you a harsh-tasting result that no amount of pickle brine can fix – stick with a mid-range vodka for the smoothest flavor.
Another common error is not straining out the pickle pieces after infusing, which can make your vodka cloudy and give it an unpleasant texture when serving.
Don’t rush the infusion process by trying to speed it up with heat, as this can make the vodka taste bitter – let it sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours, then refrigerate for the cleanest flavor.
Finally, taste-test as you go since different pickle brands have varying salt levels, and you might need to adjust the pickle juice ratio to avoid an overly salty drink that overpowers the vodka.
What to Serve With Dill Pickle Vodka?
This tangy, briny vodka is perfect for making dirty martinis or bloody marys that pack a serious pickle punch! You can also serve it as chilled shots alongside a charcuterie board loaded with cheese, crackers, and more pickles for the ultimate pickle lover’s spread. I love pairing it with salty snacks like pretzels, nuts, or even pickle-flavored chips to keep that savory theme going. For a fun party setup, serve it with deviled eggs topped with fresh dill or some smoked salmon on bagel bites – the pickle flavor complements rich, salty foods perfectly.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep your dill pickle vodka in a sealed glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. The cold temperature helps preserve the pickle flavor and keeps everything fresh. I like to use a mason jar since it’s easy to see how much you have left!
Make Ahead: This infused vodka actually gets better with time, so feel free to make it a week or two before you plan to serve it. The longer it sits, the more pickle-y it becomes. Just give it a gentle shake every few days to help the flavors meld together.
Serve: Always serve this ice cold straight from the fridge – it tastes best when it’s really chilled. You can strain out the pickle pieces before serving if you want a cleaner look, or leave them in for extra flavor and a fun presentation.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 5 days 10-15 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 600-700
- Protein: 0-1 g
- Fat: 0-0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0-3 g
Ingredients
- 3 cups plain vodka
- 1 cup juice from dill pickles
- 3 whole dill pickles
Step 1: Combine Ingredients in Mason Jar
- 3 cups plain vodka
- 1 cup juice from dill pickles
- 3 whole dill pickles
In a large mason jar, combine the vodka, pickle juice, and whole dill pickles.
Make sure everything is well mixed and the jar is large enough to accommodate all the liquid and pickles.
Seal the jar tightly to prevent any air from entering.
I like to give the jar a gentle shake to make sure the flavors start blending.
Step 2: Infuse in a Cool, Dark Place
Store the sealed mason jar in a dark cupboard at room temperature for at least 5 days to allow the flavors to infuse.
For a stronger pickle flavor, you can let it infuse for up to 2 weeks.
I recommend tasting it after 5 days to see if the flavor is to your liking—if not, let it steep a bit longer for a bolder infusion.
