Sprite Is the Secret Ingredient in These 'Addictive' Sweet and Sour Pickled Cucumbers

Deuki Hong, co-author of 'Koreaworld,' calls the use of Sprite or 7UP "an old Korean grandma trick"

The trick to perfect pickles is in the soda aisle.

The cucumbers are "tart, slightly sweet, a little effervescent and addictive," says chef Deuki Hong, who features the recipe in his new cookbook Koreaworld, cowritten by journalist Matt Rodbard. "The magic comes from the use of Sprite or 7UP, which is an old Korean grandma trick.”

Rodbard explains that they had been "trying to crack the code for about 10 years" before finding the fizzy trick.

Related: Joanna Gaines Shares an Almond Butter Cake Recipe Inspired by Her Childhood: 'Sweet, Smooth with a Hint of Crunch'

Now that they've discovered it, Hong and Rodbard, who also wrote Koreatown, are applying it left and right. The same pickling liquid and technique can be used for other vegetables — like daikon radish, sprouts, Napa cabbage and other root vegetables.

Deuki Hong's Sweet and Sour Pickled Cucumbers

1 lb. fresh pickling cucumbers, sliced ¼-in. thick (about 4 cups)

1 tsp. finely chopped garlic (about 2 medium cloves)

1 tsp. finely chopped medium-hot chile (such as red finger, cayenne or serrano) (from 1 [½-oz.] chile)

¾ cup rice vinegar

½ cup tap water

⅓ cup granulated sugar

4 tsp. kosher salt

½ cup lemon-lime soft drink (such as 7UP or Sprite)

Toasted sesame oil, for serving

1. Pack a clean, heatproof 1-quart container with cucumbers, garlic and chile; set aside.

2. Heat vinegar, ½ cup water, sugar and salt over medium high in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally, until sugar and salt are dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour hot pickling liquid over cucumber mixture. Pour soft drink over top. Stir gently along the sides to combine.

3. Let cool, uncovered, to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until softened, at least 24 hours or up to 2 weeks. Serve cold with some of the liquid and a small drizzle of sesame oil stirred in.

Serves: 8
Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 24 hours, 50 minutes, including 24 hours chilling

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