Everything Bagel Cocktail Rim

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to six months. The sesame seeds can go rancid if stored near heat; keep away from the stove.

A brief dry toast of the sesame seeds in a pan for one to two minutes before mixing amplifies their nutty character significantly — un-toasted sesame contributes little flavor compared to toasted. Use flaky sea salt rather than fine salt; the larger crystals provide textural contrast and visual appeal that fine salt cannot replicate. Wet the glass rim with pickle brine, Worcestershire sauce, or celery salt solution rather than plain water for an additional savory dimension that complements the blend. The garlic and onion pieces are larger than the seeds, so stir the blend immediately before each dip to ensure even distribution on the rim.

The everything bagel — topped with a blend of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt — became one of the most recognizable baked goods in American urban culture, with its precise origin contested between several New York bagel bakers in the early 1980s. The commercial everything bagel seasoning blend reached national mainstream awareness when Trader Joe's launched its Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning in 2017, creating one of the most widely shared food trends of that year and bringing the savory blend into home kitchens across the United States. In cocktail culture, everything bagel rim emerged as a bold savory garnish for Bloody Marys, dirty martinis, and other umami-forward drinks — its combination of toasted sesame, dried garlic, onion, and flaky salt adds immediate savory complexity to the first sip in a way that no other rim preparation achieves.

For a spiced everything bagel rim with heat, add one teaspoon of red pepper flakes and half a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the standard blend — excellent on Bloody Marys with a hot sauce component. A furikake-inspired rim using Japanese furikake seasoning in place of the garlic and onion produces a more delicate, seaweed-forward savory rim suited to sake and Japanese whisky cocktails. A lemon-everything-bagel rim can be made by adding one teaspoon of dried lemon zest for a citrus-brightened version suited to dirty gin martinis.

Contains sesame (a top-nine allergen in the United States as of January 2023). Also contains poppy seeds — those with poppy seed sensitivities should avoid. Naturally vegan and gluten-free.