Fennel pickle old fashioned cocktail

Fennel pickle old fashioned cocktail is a fennel pickle twist on the classic old fashioned cocktail with fennel pickles and brine, fennel seeds and a fennel frond complementing the salt and smokiness of Laphroaig Scotch whisky. A beautiful pickled cocktail where the intense smokiness and salt notes of the whisky are enhanced by the sourness and spiciness of the fennel pickle brine and the pickle itself.

The fennel is from last season and is pickled with fennel seeds, caraway, aniseed, black pepper, whole green chili and lemon zest. The brine has a lovely sweet-sour spicy kick with a citrus note from the anise spices, chili and lemon that complements the anise flavour and clean crunch of the fennel. In the pickled cocktail these flavours enhance the smoke and salt of the whisky and the fennel frond and seeds make a gorgeous green contrast to the golden colour of the whisky and the fennel pickle. While the bitters and sugar add sweetness and depth of flavour.

Making cocktails is a great way to use up left over pickle brine as they retain intense flavours from aging and the pickling process itself. You can also use up left over pickle brine in salad dressings or in finishing cooked dishes.