It’s That Season
Harvest season is upon us, and with temperatures starting to dip down across the prairies, we’re ready to embrace our favourite fall traditions… like pickling!
Refrigerator pickles are a quick and easy introduction to the world of pickling. While pickles might be a household name, there’s no shame in stepping this staple up by making Gin and Tonic pickles. Trust us, it’s a thing!
These boozy pickles are a great addition to a gin and tonic, caesar or dirty martini. You can even reuse the brine to make a second batch. The best part of all? Our Parlour Gin never goes out of season!
Eau Claire Distillery’s Gin and Tonic Refrigerator Pickles
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
PICKLING TIME: 24 hours
RECIPE YIELD: One 16 oz jar
INGREDIENTS:
8 mini cucumbers – Trim the ends and quarter lengthwise into spears
1 lime – Slice into six pieces
¼ cup of lime juice
2.5 tsp of sugar
2 tsp of kosher salt
½ cup of Eau Claire Distillery Parlour Gin
1 cup of Eau Claire Distillery Original Tonic Water
OPTIONAL: 1 tbsp of juniper berries – Lightly crush with a mortar or the flat end of a knife to help the berries release their flavor
OPTIONAL: 1 tbsp of ground pickling spices
DIRECTIONS: Gently place the cucumbers and lime slices into a 16 oz jar. Add the juniper berries (optional), pickling spices (optional), lime juice, sugar and salt and then top with gin. Screw the lid on very tightly and shake to mix. Open the jar and top up with tonic water until the cucumbers are fully submerged. Screw the lid on tightly and place in the fridge.
Refrigerate for a minimum of 24 hours to allow the cucumbers time to pickle.
Serve and enjoy!
The gin and tonic pickles will keep in the fridge for approximately 4 weeks.
The ingredients for this batch of pickles were all sourced from our friends at the Calgary Farmers’ Market. Special thanks to The Silk Road Spice Merchant, Tomato Man and Blush Lane.