(Must-Try Savoury Cocktail) 'Back to Roots'

(Must-Try Savoury Cocktail) 'Back to Roots'

Written by: Berry & Brine

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Time to read 4 min

This one’s for our savoury lovers. You know who you are. If you’re bored of dirty martinis and Caesars and craving something bold, briny, and wildly unexpected… meet your new favourite cocktail.


The “Back to Roots” is deceptive in the best way. She’s bright and cute in the glass, but the first sip tells a very different story: sour, earthy, lightly sweet, and unapologetically briny. Then comes this refreshing finish with fresh anise from fennel closing out the sip. It’s complex, adventurous, and honestly kind of addictive.


The real star here is Berry & Brine pickled beet brine (and yes — this is your official reminder to never discard your beet brine). It brings vibrant colour and deep earthy flavour that pairs beautifully with gin’s botanicals. Add lemon for brightness, honey syrup for balance, and soda water for lift, and suddenly you’ve got a cocktail that feels both grounding and refreshing.


This is the drink you serve when you want to surprise people. It’s not your typical crowd-pleaser — it’s better. It’s for the guests who lean over and say, “Okay… what is in this?” It’s perfect for cocktail hour, intimate dinners, or anytime you’re feeling a little experimental.


If you love drinks that walk the line between savoury and bright, classic and weird (in a good way), this one’s absolutely worth shaking up.

Back to Roots Cocktail
Back to Roots Cocktail
Back to Roots Cocktail

What is in a Back to Roots Cocktail?


Gin

Gin provides the botanical backbone of this cocktail — herbal, floral, and slightly piney. It plays beautifully with beet brine and fennel, creating a layered, earthy profile that still feels refreshing.
Recommendation: London dry or botanical-forward gin.


Honey Syrup 

Honey syrup adds gentle sweetness and body without overpowering the savoury elements. It smooths out the acidity and rounds off the edges of the brine and lemon.
Recommendation: 1:1 honey and hot water, cooled.


Pickled Beet Brine

This is the magic. Earthy, briny, slightly sweet, and vibrantly coloured, beet brine brings depth and complexity you simply can’t fake. It transforms the cocktail from standard sour to something truly unique.
Recommendation: Berry & Brine pickled beet brine.


Lemon Juice

Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity, keeping the drink lively and balanced against the richer flavours. Always fresh — bottled just won’t cut it here.
Recommendation: Fresh-squeezed lemon juice.


Soda Water

A splash of soda lifts everything, adding lightness and making this cocktail dangerously drinkable.
Recommendation: Cold, well-carbonated soda water.


Fennel Frond

Fresh fennel brings subtle anise aroma that finishes each sip beautifully. It’s a small garnish that makes a big impact.
Recommendation: Fresh fennel fronds.

Tools you will need to make a Back to Roots Cocktail

  • Cocktail shaker

  • Jigger or measuring tool

  • Strainer

  • Stemless flute or cocktail glass

  • Citrus juicer

  • Ice

  • Small plate (for rim)

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[RECIPE] Back to Roots Cocktail

Back to Roots Cocktail

A savoury-sour cocktail made with gin, honey syrup, pickled beet brine, and lemon, topped with soda and fennel. Earthy, briny, bright, and totally unexpected.

Ingredients

  • 1½ oz gin

  • 1 oz honey syrup

  • ½ oz Berry & Brine pickled beet brine

  • ¾ oz fresh lemon juice

  • 1–2 oz soda water

  • Fennel frond (for garnish)

  • Finely ground dehydrated lemon (for rim)

Directions

  • Rim one side of a stemless flute or cocktail glass with finely ground dehydrated lemon.

  • Fill glass halfway with ice and set aside.

  • Add gin, honey syrup, beet brine, and lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice.

  • Shake hard for 15–20 seconds until well chilled.

  • Strain into prepared glass over ice.

  • Top with soda water.

  • Garnish with a fennel frond and serve immediately.

The Back to Roots cocktail is bold, briny, and beautifully unexpected — perfect for anyone craving something outside the usual happy-hour lineup. Earthy beet brine, bright lemon, smooth gin, and fresh fennel come together in a sip that feels adventurous and refreshing all at once. If you love savoury cocktails, this one’s a must.

Products used in a Back to Roots Cocktail

Can I batch this cocktail?

Yep — this one batches nicely. Combine everything except soda water in a pitcher and refrigerate. When serving, pour over ice, top with soda, and garnish. If batching ahead, give it a good stir before serving since the honey syrup can settle. Perfect for dinner parties when you don’t want to be shaking drinks all night.

What if I don’t have beet brine?

Beet brine really makes this cocktail what it is, but in a pinch you could experiment with pickle brine or olive brine — just know the flavour profile will change completely. Beet brine brings earthiness and subtle sweetness that other brines don’t, so if you can get your hands on it, it’s worth it.

Is there a non-alcoholic version?

Absolutely. Swap gin for a botanical non-alcoholic spirit or sparkling water, keep everything else the same, and you’ve got a killer savoury mocktail. You may want to slightly reduce the honey syrup to keep it from getting too sweet.

Maria Boulter & Amanda Lowell, Founders

Berry & Brine was founded by childhood friends Maria and Amanda, who turned their shared love for locally sourced food into unforgettable experiences. Maria, a seasoned preserver inspired by summers in Fredericton, spent 15 years perfecting her craft, while Amanda, with a marketing background, brings a passion for hospitality. Now moms and entrepreneurs, they’ve made their dream business a reality.

Maria Boulter & Amanda Lowell, Founders

Berry & Brine was founded by childhood friends Maria and Amanda, who turned their shared love for locally sourced food into unforgettable experiences. Maria, a seasoned preserver inspired by summers in Fredericton, spent 15 years perfecting her craft, while Amanda, with a marketing background, brings a passion for hospitality. Now moms and entrepreneurs, they’ve made their dream business a reality.

Pair a Back to Roots Cocktail with:

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