Freddie Sarkis, the chief cocktail officer and co-founder at Liquor Lab, an event space offering interactive cocktail-making classes with locations in Nashville and Louisville has taken one of his favorite cocktails, the Tommy’s Margarita, and pickled it.
In his classes, students learn how to make fun but simple drinks like spicy Margaritas, Old Fashions and seasonal cocktails.
"As with all recipes, feel free to adjust the sugar and acid balanced after you taste. While it shouldn’t be needed, don’t be shy about personalizing your cocktail. I’d recommend only adjusting by one 1/8 oz barspoon of syrup or juice at a time after tasting the base recipe."
Tommy’s spicy pickle 2 Oz blanco Tequila 1/2 Oz spicy agave & dill syrup* 3/4 oz fresh lime juice 1/8 oz (1 small bar spoon) apple cider vinegar 3 cucumber slices Pinch of kosher salt Optional pickling spice salt rim** Begin with muddling cucumbers in shaker with pinch of kosher salt, then add the rest of the ingredients. Pack with ice and shake vigorously until ice old. Straight into chilled and optionally pickling spice salt rimmed coupe glass. Garnish with skewered gherkin or pickle chip * spicy agave & dill syrup In a medium sauce pot add 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes and toast while shaking constantly. Add 8 oz of water and being to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add one bunch of very roughly chopped fresh dill. Allow to steep for 5 mins, then fine strain. Mix in 16 oz of agave nectar and allow to cool before storing. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Omit chili flakes if desired. ** pickling spice salt Add 1 clove, 1 teaspoon corriander seed, 1 teaspoon caraway seed, 1 teaspoon mustard seed into small pot or pan. Toast while constantly stirring or shaking. Add to spice grinder or blender and blend until uniform in size. Mix with 1 teaspoon sugar and one tablespoon of kosher salt. Wet half of chilled coupe glass with a lime wedge. Pour salt into a plate and roll the wet half of the rim into the salt. Can be pre-done for easy of making. Feel free to adjust the spice mixture to your personal presence or add chili flakes to taste.