Matt Lee’s Five O’Clock Pick-Me-Up

Matt Lee

If you’re comfortable classifying wine as fruit syrup, this drink qualifies as a shrub, since it comprises grapes, sugar and vinegar. But it’s closer in spirit to a cocktail, because it’s designed for quick mixing and immediate drinking. Matt Lee warns against overthinking it: The only goal here is to salvage wine that isn’t quite up to your standards.

Ingredients

Serving: 1

  • 1/2 cup boring white or rosé wine
  • 1/2 cup boring white or rosé wine
  • 1/4 teaspoon spicy pickle brine, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon spicy pickle brine, plus more to taste
  • 1 pepper slice, for garnish
  • 1 pepper slice, for garnish

Garnish: pepper slice

Directions
  1. Pour wine into a wine glass.
  2. Add the brine.
  3. Garnish with a pepper slice.