Brine for Refigerator Pickles

This is a general purpose brine that I use when making refrigerator pickles. Add spice combinations based on flavor preferences. Double or triple this recipe depending on how much is needed.

Basic Brine
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup white wine vinegar
1 cup rice vinegar
5 tablespoons fine sea-salt
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) fine white sugar

1. Combine all ingredients in a stainless steel or cast iron enameled pot (avoid aluminum or copper coated pots) and put on low heat.

2. Stir continuously until all signs of sugar crystals are fully dissolved (disappear from sight).

3. Depending on what you are pickling, allow to cool before adding to glass jars with vegetables (if you want your pickles extra crisp) or pour directly onto veges that you want slightly cooked. Remember that the brine solution will also "chemically cook" your veges with time.

4. Store any extra brine in a glass jar, add to your pickling jars as needed (like after eating some pickles or after some of the brine has been absorbed) to keep the containers full of liquid.