Pickle Juice “Popsicles” For Bloody Marys & Beyond

My spin on the classic Bloody has dill pickle juice ice cubes

“What’s the first thing you remember making with your own hands?”
So began our writing group starter exercise a few weeks ago.

Mud pies of course. Elaborate ones packed with worm guts & dusted with sand to mimic powdered sugar.
But perhaps they didn’t qualify since they could not be taste-tested except by my little brother Hootie who gleefully tried just about anything I put in front of him.

The group offered up stories of first time sewing projects, shop-class trinkets, etc…

But the first thing I recall making that was absolutely my own creation is something I still use to this day.
Thrilled me then. Thrills me now. (And yes, I am clearly easily thrilled).

Pickle Juice Popsicles.

After crunching away on Mamaw’s dill pickles the size of a baby’s chubby forearm, I had the ingenious idea to pour the remaining brine into one of those old-school silver metal ice-cube trays. Added toothpicks once partially frozen. Done.
Dang, I guess I was mindful of re-purposing stuff perceived as garbage even as a kid, HA!

Perfect treat then for a hot day of mud pie making.
Perfect treat now as an addition to a classic Bloody Mary. Yes? Yesssss.

I’m not going to give you a Bloody Mary Recipe. Too many variations. You probably already have one you like. If not, check here & here. I don’t use a pre-made mix because, why would you?
I am somewhat of a purist. I don’t want steak sauce or beef bouillon in my Marys. I also want NO PART of Clamato, which to me imparts a sickly sweet, almost chemical flavor.

And I don’t go all out on the Vodka here. I used Bellion because my local liquor shop was having a sale. Is it Tito’s? Nah. For this application does it need to be? Nope.

Just give me some Tajin Classico on the rim, extra horse radish (prepared, not sauce) in the glass, all the pickled okra as garnish, and these delightful ice-cubes that remind me of the simple pleasure of seeing a food idea thru to fruition.

What was the first thing you recall making with your own hands? Share, please.

Pickle Juice Ice Cube "Popsicles"

Not so much a recipe as it is a tongue-in-cheek method for enhancing your Bloody Mary & other cocktails 

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Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 Cup or thereabouts leftover brine from jar of pickles use what you have

Instructions

 

• Use the brine of your favorite jar of home made or store bought pickles.  Pour brine into ice-cube tray of choice.  Freeze.  Add instead of ice to your Bloody Mary or other cocktails.  Marvel at the flavor punch they provide.
  

Notes

If you love spicy pickles, use the brine for a spiced up cocktail cube. I love pickled okra and used the mild version for this recipe.
To make your cubes even more beautiful, add a sprig of fresh dill to each cube before freezing. Don't go overboard. A little fresh dill goes A LONG WAY.