It’s a savory classic that delivers the right touch of spice delivered with a scoop of horseradish, Creole seasoning and a touch of cayenne plus a generous shake of the South’s favorite sauce, Tabasco. Brightened up with a splash of lime and lemon, this vintage blend of rich tomato juice and a crisp, smooth vodka has the volume turned up just in time for the weekend!
There are many, many options, but I prefer this cocktail in its classic form and somewhat simply adorned. The Bloody Mary is an old recipe, dating back to the 1930s with some suggesting it was around years prior. No matter the age, it’s stood the test of time. The basics include tomato juice and vodka, plus lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, black pepper, and Tabasco. This version, compliments of my dear son-in-law Matthew, adds lime to marry with the lemon, plus more spice from horseradish, cayenne, and Creole seasoning.
Rim the glasses with a touch more lime and celery salt, garnish with the iconic stalk of celery.
Then add a simple garnish of olives and maybe nestle in a pod of pickled okra! Cheers!
Spicy Classic Bloody Mary
3 cups tomato juice
1 cup good vodka
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 1 lemon
5 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, divided, about 1 to 2 large limes
1 to 1-½ teaspoons Tabasco
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish (not horseradish sauce)
1 to 1-½ teaspoons Creole seasoning
2 tablespoons plus ½ teaspoon celery salt, divided
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Celery stalks, pickled okra, or olives for garnish
Pour the tomato juice and the vodka into a pitcher. Add the lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of the lime juice along with the Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and prepared horseradish.
Toss in the Creole seasoning, ½ teaspoon of the celery salt, the black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk to blend together.
Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of lime juice into a small, shallow bowl and the remaining 2 tablespoons celery salt into a second small, shallow bowl. Run the rim of a glasses in the lime juice then in the celery salt.
Fill the glasses with ice, pour the cocktail in and garnish with a stalk of celery plus pickled okra and olives.
Serves 4.
Spicy Classic Bloody Mary
Ingredients
- 3 cups tomato juice
- 1 cup good vodka
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 1 lemon
- 5 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, divided, about 1 to 2 large limes
- 1 to 1-½ teaspoons Tabasco®
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish (not horseradish sauce)
- 1 to 1-½ teaspoons Creole seasoning
- 2 tablespoons plus ½ teaspoon celery salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Celery stalks, pickled okra, or olives for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the tomato juice and the vodka into a pitcher. Add the lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of the lime juice along with the Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and prepared horseradish.
- Toss in the Creole seasoning, ½ teaspoon of the celery salt, the black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk to blend together.
- Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of lime juice into a small, shallow bowl and the remaining 2 tablespoons celery salt into a second small, shallow bowl.
- Run the rim of a glasses in the lime juice then in the celery salt.
- Fill the glasses with ice, pour the cocktail in and garnish with a stalk of celery plus pickled okra and olives.
