The Pickled Soprano

Happy National Vodka Day!

I had no idea it was Vodka Day until I stumbled across something on Twitter this afternoon. It’s also National Taco Day — to celebrate I think you need some gorgeous Collard Green & White Bean Spicy Chipotle Tacos.

And while you’re at it, may I suggest a vodka cocktail? The charming Nicole and I invented these after some back-and-forth on Twitter. We are both sopranos, and we both love pickles.  And cocktails are just awesome.  Hence our desire for a pickle cocktail that we have named The Pickled Soprano.

We recommend you drink these along with a lovely “picnic dinner” and a girly movie. Preferably something with Marilyn Monroe or lots of giggles.

With regards to vodka and its gluten-free status, I have found a lot of conflicting information and opinions. Even though many vodkas are made from gluteny grains, the distillation process removes the gluten proteins. Some people who go gluten-free stick to vodka made from gluten-free sources (like potato vodka). I personally don’t seem to be affected by it, and really love Grey Goose, so I choose to drink it even though it is made from wheat. Some vodkas aren’t vegan, but Grey Goose uses wood charcoal and no animal by-products or ingredients.  Feel free to choose whatever vodka works for your lifestyle.

Any pickle juice will work in this recipe, but Nicole introduced me to McClure’s pickles, and we are both agree these are the best pickles on the planet.  So it seemed only fitting that we used the McClure’s pickle juice in our cocktails.  The spicy pickles make a slightly spicy and delicious cocktail, and the regular pickles also make a lovely cocktail.  You know how I always like to fit in some extra spicy into my life when I can.

Cheers!

The Pickled Soprano
Serves 2

• 2 oz. grey goose vodka (see explanation above about gluten-free vodka)
• 1 oz. pickle juice
• 1/2 oz. tomato juice
• 4 ice cubes
• cucumber slices, to garnish
• garlic scapes, to garnish (optional, especially because they are seasonal)

In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, pickle juice, tomato juice, and ice cubes.  Shake well (and dance while you shake, it makes it taste better).  Pour into two martini glasses, and garnish with cucumber (and garlic scapes if you’ve got them).  Cheers and drink up!