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Epicurious

Bloody Mary

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Photo by Chelsea Kyle

The Bloody Mary is by far the most universally known pick-me-up. Legend has it that the Bloody Mary was born in Paris in or around 1921 at Harry’s New York Bar by a Frenchman, Fernand “Pete” Petiot. In those days, it consisted merely of a shot of vodka mixed with tomato juice and maybe a squeeze of lemon.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 drink

Ingredients

2 ounces Russian Standard vodka
5 ounces Bloody Mary mix (recipe follows)
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 long celery stalk, for garnish
1 lemon wedge, for garnish
Grape tomato, pickled onion, olive on a skewer, for garnish

Bloody Mary Mix

3 cups tomato juice
1/2 tablespoon capers, crushed
3 ounces Worcestershire sauce
2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 ounce olive brine
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Tabasco
4 tablespoons freshly grated horseradish
(makes 1 quart)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pour the vodka, mix, and juice into a Collins glass. Add large cold ice cubes and shake briefly to blend. Garnish with the celery, lemon, and tomato-onion-olive skewer.

  2. Bloody Mary Mix

    Step 2

    Stir all ingredients in a large food-safe container until well combined. Refrigerate overnight. Stir again before using. Will keep for 3 days, refrigerated.

  3. tasting notes

    Step 3

    Dominant Flavors: tomato, pepper sauce, and lemon

    Step 4

    Body: full-textured

    Step 5

    Dryness: medium to dry

    Step 6

    Complexity: high

    Step 7

    Accentuating or Contrasting Flavors: capers, horseradish, and black pepper

    Step 8

    Finish: short, salty with lingering spiciness

  4. Step 9

    Glass: rocks

Cover of Speakeasy by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric featuring a coupe glass with a brown cocktail and lemon wheel garnish.
Reprinted with permission from Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide to Classic Cocktails Reimagined by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric, © 2010 Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.
TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesBloody MaryVodkaBrunchEasyCookbooks
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