Even tech minded folks like to drink, and when my friend BC recommended that I add my Blood Mary recipe to WTS, I said “Sure!”

Then I forgot to do it and a couple of weeks passed…

Well, he’s reminded me, and I figure sharing a great twist on a classic drink recipe is time well spent (beats working anyway), so here goes!

A warning:  As all great cooks will tell you, DON’T SKIMP ON THE INGREDIENTS!  This is true in most drink recipes as well as cooked dishes.  Quality ingredients make a quality drink.  Remember that young drunkawan.

You’re gonna need:

Vodka.  Better vodka makes a smoother drink.  Unlike all the other ingredients listed here, however, you can skimp a little on the vodka and still end up with a good drink.  It just won’t be a great drink.  ‘Nuff said.

Tomato Juice.  Get the best you can.  V8 works too.  Do not buy cheap tomato juice or you’ll regret it.  Seriously.

Celery Salt, Pepper and Cayenne:  We kept these all mixed together in a single shaker, but you can have them separate if you like.  Garlic powder can be a good add too if you’re into it.

Pickapeppa Sauce:  This is the SOOPER-SEKRET ingredient.  It’s a bit pricey, but do not omit!

Tobasco Sauce:  You cannot make a Bloody Mary without it.  Not even for the wusses out there.  You know who you are.

Fresh Lemon or Lime:  Either is good.

Ice:  Duh.

Garnish:  This is a matter of personal choice more than anything.  We added a couple of pickled string beans at the bar.  A lot of folks like olives or celery.  Personally, I like to add a vegetable kebob with olives, cucumbers, cherry tomatos, Greek peppers, etc.

Glassware:  Bigger is better.  A 20 oz to 24 oz glass is best.

Now let’s get to mixin’!

Bloody Mary’s involve spices and heat, and how much of each a person likes will vary widely from one to another.  Therefore, I’m going to give guidelines and not strict amounts on most of the ingredients.

Assumming a larger glass, you’ll want to start by filling it with ice.  Ice shape is important and it will affect how your drink tastes.  In general, cubes are better than crushed, and small cubes are better than big ones.

Now add vodka.  I personally would put in a double shot (2 oz), or up to four if I need to forget.

Next, add the seasonings.  Tomato juice is already loaded with sodium, so unless you like super salty foods I wouldn’t add too much celery salt or similar.  Lots of pepper is good though.

Grab the Pickapeppa bottle and adde a few “glops” with gusto!  A teaspoon is a good place to start, but up to double that can really zest up your drink.

The Tobasco is next.  Now, when I say “Tobasco Sauce”, I mean “Tobasco Sauce”, and not some other hot sauce.  The flavor of the Tobasco is what you want as much as the heat.  Other sauces do not blend as well with the other flavors in the Bloody Mary, although they may provide more kick.  If you really do want a super hot BM (insert joke here) add a drop of Dave’s Gourmet Insanity Sauce.  Then dial 9 and 1 on your phone and have your thumb over the one so you can press it again when you go into cardiac shock.  Personally, I’ll add a generous amount of the Tobasco for just enough heat and lots of flavor.  Woot!

Squeeze in some lime or lemon.  I prefer lemon in my Bloody Mary’s.  You may prefer lime.  Whatever.

Now add the most important ingredient – the tomato juice.  I hope you didn’t go and buy the grocery store’s house brand, because if you did you’re going to be one sad (but drunk) panda.  Fill what room remains in the glass with the red goodness.

Mixing is next.  The best way is to pour it back and forth between two same sized glasses until the concoction is thoroughly mixed up.  Stirring alone generally doesn’t do the trick unless you can stir it a lot, something that is usually messy in a glass packed to the rim with ice and booze.

Add your garnish.  Be creative.  Turn your Bloody Mary into a meal if you want.

The last step, of course, is to drink and enjoy!

Rinse and repeat as necessary.

You can mix things up some by trying other types of booze.  Some folks like tequila in lieu of vodka, for example.  I try not to hang out with those people though.  People who drink tequila for breakfast have issues that make mine look paltry by comparison.  I do like a Bloody Beer on occasion though.  Replace the vodka with half a glass of beer, ditch the ice, and everything else is essentially the same.  Not a bad variation for an early AM round on the golf course.

Cheers!

- Rod

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