Salt

Origin

Salt was used before recorded history: early peoples learned that it preserved food and cured hides, nomadic groups traded it, and the industry passed through Roman, medieval and industrial eras to the chemical revolution. In drinks, the salted rim of the Margarita and the salt and lime of tequila service are the famous uses, and the modern craft bar uses saline drops to balance acidity and bitterness in almost anything.

Production and safety

Saline recipe: dissolve 20 g fine salt in 80 g warm water; 2 to 3 drops per drink. Keeps indefinitely at room temperature in a dropper bottle. Rim only the outside half of the glass with a lime wedge and a saucer of salt so the guest can choose; avoid iodized table salt, which tastes metallic.

Allergens: None

Common uses

• margarita rim
• michelada rim with chili salt
• saline solution drops in sours and stirred drinks
• salted rim for a Paloma or Salty Dog
• the house concepts that call for it