“Brine and soda is a funkier, saltier, but equally simple alternative to syrup and soda. With this recipe, Minetta Gould of Lady Jane in Denver, Colorado, kicks brine and soda up a notch, adding citrus juice to the mix and using jarred Sweety Drops, which are pickled Peruvian peppers. Peppadews, sweet cherry peppers, or even bread-and-butter pickles could work, too, but I recommend reducing or even omitting the simple syrup if you go the latter route.” —Julia Bainbridge in Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When You’re Not Drinking for Whatever Reason
Drinks
Nectar of the Gods
For total refreshment, combine citrus, bubbles, and your favorite pickle brine—just trust us
photo: Alex Lau
Ingredients
-
2 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
¾ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ oz. sweet pickle brine
½ oz. simple syrup (1 part water: 1 part sugar)
5–6 oz. soda water
1 grapefruit slice or pickle, for garnish
Preparation
Combine the juices, brine, and simple syrup in a collins glass and stir to combine. Add ice and top with soda water, gently stirring once more. Garnish with the grapefruit slice or pickle.
Batch for 6:
Combine 1 ½ cups grapefruit juice, ½ cup plus 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 3 oz. brine, and 3 oz. simple syrup in a pitcher and stir to combine. Add ice and top with 3 ¾ cups soda water, gently stirring once more. Divide among 6 collins glasses, adding more soda water if you wish. Garnish each with a grapefruit slice or pickle.
Note:
You could keep a batch of the base (the juices, syrup, and brine) in the fridge for a couple weeks without losing much integrity. Just top with soda water to serve.
Reprinted with permission from Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When You’re Not Drinking for Whatever Reason by Julia Bainbridge, copyright © 2020.
Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Related Stories:
Recipe
Himalaya Fried Chicken
Sample the universal appeal of a Houston chef’s Indian meets Pakistani meets Tex-Mex cooking
Recipe
The “Private Plane” Cocktail
Shake up a bourbon classic
What's in Season
Curried Sweet Potato Soup
As the temperatures drop, cozy up with this recipe starring the bright orange root veggie
Trending Stories:
Books
The Lasting Power of Larry McMurtry’s Not-So-Secret Texas Truths
In a new book, writers pay homage to his words. Read an exclusive excerpt here
Food & Drink
Six Grilling Tips from Rodney Scott and Bryan Furman
The Southern pitmasters share a few rules of thumb
Arts & Culture
Meet Blackmon Huckabee Jr., Clemson’s Viral TikTok Crooner
A Tiger wide receiver scores big on SportsCenter—with his singing voice