What Is Pickle Juice & Why Do People Drink It?

Pickle juice. You’ve seen it all over Instagram. You’ve read about it in the news. You’ve seen athletes drinking it on the sidelines and, quite possibly, someone following a shot of whiskey with it.

But what actually is pickle juice? And why is everyone suddenly drinking the stuff on purpose?

Allow us to explain.

So, what is pickle juice?

Put simply, pickle juice is the liquid associated with pickling cucumbers. But not all pickle juice is created equal.

Traditional pickle liquids can be made using vinegar, water, salt and spices, while fermented pickles use a salty brine and naturally occurring bacteria to create their characteristic tang.

At The Pickle House, we make Original Pickle Juice specifically for drinking. It’s made in Suffolk using sliced cucumbers, apple cider vinegar, turmeric and fennel, creating something sharp, savoury and surprisingly refreshing.

In other words: this isn't just the mysterious liquid left at the bottom of a pickle jar.

Why do people drink pickle juice?

There are more reasons than you might think.

1. It contains electrolytes

Pickle juice naturally contains electrolytes, including sodium and potassium.

When you sweat, you lose water and electrolytes, which is why you'll often hear about replacing them around exercise. It's also one reason pickle juice has found a particularly enthusiastic following among runners, cyclists and other endurance athletes.

Some people drink a small shot before exercise, others afterwards. And some just keep a bottle in the fridge for particularly sweaty occasions.

2. It's become famous for muscle cramps

This is where things get particularly interesting.

Pickle juice has long been used by athletes as a remedy for muscle cramps and researchers have investigated whether there might be something behind the tradition.

Interestingly, the proposed explanation isn't simply that drinking pickle juice instantly replaces all the salt you've lost. Research has suggested that the sharp taste may trigger receptors in the mouth and throat, creating a neurological response that can interrupt cramping.

3. It makes a very good post-night-out fridge raid

We're not making any miraculous hangover claims here.

We are saying that after a night out, something cold, salty and savoury can taste extremely good.

Make of that what you will.

4. It's brilliant in drinks

Pickle juice isn't just for drinking neat.

A splash can add acidity, salt and savoury depth to cocktails in much the same way you might use citrus or saline.

Naturally, we're partial to a pickleback: a shot of whiskey followed by a shot of pickle juice. In fact, it was drinking a pickleback in New York back in 2014 when the story of The Pickle House began. 

But pickle juice also has a very happy home in dirty martinis, Bloody Marys, Pickle Spritzes and even a G&T.

5. It's also a secret weapon in the kitchen

Once there's a bottle in your fridge, you'll start finding excuses to put it in everything.

Use pickle juice in salad dressings. Add it to marinades. Splash it into sauces. Use it to brine chicken. Add a dash to mayonnaise. Throw some into your next potato salad.

Basically, anywhere that could benefit from a salty, acidic little kick.

How much pickle juice should you drink?

You don't need to start drinking it by the pint.

A 30-60ml serving is a good place to start if you're drinking Original Pickle Juice neat. Keep it chilled, pour yourself a shot and see what you think.

For cocktails and cooking, there are no such rules. Follow your heart.

What does pickle juice taste like?

If you've never tried it before, expect something sharp, salty, savoury and tangy.

And yes, it tastes like pickles.

The combination of vinegar, cucumber, salt and spices gives pickle juice a punchy flavour that makes it especially refreshing if you're someone who would choose olives over chocolate or crisps over cake.

So, should you be drinking pickle juice?

If you're here because you've seen runners drinking it, heard someone talking about pickle juice for cramps, or simply wondered why on earth bottles of pickle juice now exist: hopefully you have your answer.

People drink it for all sorts of reasons - electrolytes, exercise, its association with muscle cramps, cocktails, cooking or simply because they really like the taste.

We started making ours because we thought the good bit deserved a bottle of its own.

Turns out quite a few people agree.

Ready to try it? Discover The Pickle House Original Pickle Juice and welcome to the savoury side.