Bloody Mary Recipe: How to Make a Bloody Mary

In the world of cocktails, the Bloody Mary is akin to the Pizza Hut salad bar since it's simple to add too many ingredients and toppings. What first appears to be a perfectly balanced brunch beverage might swiftly change into a cocktail Frankenstein's monster. According to Brian Bartels, author of The Bloody Mary, "if you get too crazy with your garnishes, it interferes with drinking [and enjoying] the cocktail." We recommend starting with the traditional Bloody Mary, which consists of a mixture of vodka, tomato juice, citrus, celery salt, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and horseradish and is topped with a crunchy celery stick. However, we respect your right to top your Bloody Mary with anything, from a speared olive to an entire roast chicken. Once you have mastered this traditional recipe, feel free to experiment with the plethora of alternate components, such as Sherry, fish sauce, and watermelon, as well as a variety of garnishes.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz Vodka
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• 4 dashes Tabasco Sauce
• 4 hefty dashes Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Celery Stalk
• Tomato Juice
• 1 tbsp Horseradish
• 1 tsp Celery Salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a pint glass, combine all the ingredients minus the tomato juice and celery.
2. Add ice to the glass before adding tomato juice on top.
3. Add a celery stem as a garnish after giving the cocktail a final good stir.

Blend It Up

Try gin (for a Red Snapper) or aquavit in place of vodka. Alternately, make an enlightening Bloody Maria by substituting tequila and including a few more spices. Our favorite new way to enjoy a Bloody Mary is with a base of sweet and spicy bourbon or smokey mezcal. With Chipotle Tabasco replacing the original spicy sauce, both liqueurs give the beverage a flavor of pit-fired barbecue. To enhance the heat and flavors already present in the liquor you're using for your cocktail, we suggest experimenting with different hot sauce pairings.