How to Mix a Bloody Mary

Megan Vacura

Ah, yes, the Bloody Mary. Known as the infamous “hangover drink,” or morning after drink, the Bloody Mary could perhaps be named after Queen Mary I of England, whose relentless pursuit of Protestants earned her the nickname “Bloody Mary.” (What a super reputation!) The drink is thought to have made its debut in the United States in the mid-1930's, and aren't we glad it did?

Step 1: Collecting Your Bloody Ingredients.

• 2 oz (4 Tbsp) Vodka
  
• 4 oz (8 Tbsp) Tomato juice
  
• 2 dashes Lemon juice
  
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
  
• 2-3 drops Tabasco sauce
  
• 1/2 tsp sugar
  
• 1 dash celery salt
  
• Salt and Pepper to taste
  
• 1 Lime wedge
  
  (With so many variations of this drink, you must keep in mind that most of these ingredients are optional.)
  

Step 2: Get Your Mix On.

Shake all ingredients (except lime wedge, silly pants) with ice and strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the wedge of lime, if you'd like, and serve.

Step 3: Taste Test.

There's a thin line between a "good" Bloody Mary and a glass of tomato juice with a side of crap. You may need to tweek your Mary a bit after all of the shakin' and the mixin' is over.

Step 4: Go For A Chaser.

Assuming that your Mary is absolutely fantastic, you should be about ready for another. However, if the tweeking that you did in Step 3 didn't quite cut it for you, head for the beer. A beer chaser with your Bloody Mary is quite satisfying and helps you out when you don't want to dump a somewhat less then perfect drink. (Which could also be known as alcohol abuse.)

Figure A: Jimbo before his Bloody Mary.

Figure B: Jimbo after his Bloody Mary. *

*Results not likely, but possible.

Want A Quick Fix?

You can buy Bloody Mary Mix at your local grocery or liquor store, and then add whatever you want!

Some suggested ingredients to jazz up your Mary are:

• Add a dash or so of pickle juice instead of lemon juice
• Throw in an olive.
• Kick in a celery stick or two.
• Spice it up with a pickle.
• Toss in a carrot.

Go Simple!

You can head for the most simplistic version around, also known as the "Simple Bloody Mary" (go figure.) All ya need is 1 1/2 oz of Vodka mixed in with 5 oz of Tomato Juice! Garnish and enjoy!

And Now For Some Other Bloody Variations. . .

Russian Bloody Mary

Ingredients:
1 part Vodka
1 part Tomato juice (salted)
2 drops Tabasco sauce

MMM-Mix It Up!

Pour vodka into glass, then carefully add the tomato juice so that it falls to the bottom of the glass. Lastly throw in a few drops of Tabasco sauce to fire it up.

If possible, it is important to use chilled Vodka and Tomato juice. You need to add the juice carefully by the edge of the glass as it will inject through the Vodka. This drink should be two layered - red at the bottom and transparent at the top. (Doesn't that sound super?!) As always, drink up in moderation and enjoy!

Links To More Super-Fab Drink Combo's. . .

Bloody Maria

Bloody Hurricane

Related Drink-Links

A fun website for mixing www.idrink.com

Drink it up! Check out the Webtender for more drink recipes.

Drinks, Drinks, Drinks. Find a bunch of snazzy (and tasty) combo's at this Bar None site.