Bloody Mary — Savory vodka cocktail with tomato and celery bitters

Bloody Mary

Savory vodka cocktail with tomato and celery bitters

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ozFresh Lemon Juice
    Fresh squeezed
    Substitute: Lime acceptable
  • 2 dashesCelery Bitters
    Adds savory depth
    Substitute: Optional but recommended
  • 4 ozTomato Juice
    Fresh tomato juice preferred
    Substitute: Quality canned acceptable
  • 3 dashesWorcestershire Sauce
    Contains bitters compounds
    Substitute: Essential ingredient
  • 2-3 dashesHot Sauce
    Tabasco preferred
    Substitute: Adjust to taste
  • 1 pinchCelery Salt
    For rim and seasoning
    Substitute: Regular salt + celery bitters
  • 1 pinchBlack Pepper
    Freshly ground
    Substitute: White pepper acceptable
  • 2 ozVodka
    Quality vodka
    Substitute: Gin for Red Snapper variant

Instructions

  1. Add 2 oz vodka, 4 oz tomato juice, 1/2 oz lemon juice to shaker
  2. Add 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce, 2-3 dashes hot sauce, 2 dashes celery bitters
  3. Add pinch of celery salt and black pepper
  4. Roll mixture between two mixing glasses or gently shake

    Gentle mixing to preserve tomato texture

  5. Strain into highball glass filled with ice
  6. Garnish elaborately with celery stalk, lemon wedge, and optional additions

Technique Notes

Roll between two tins rather than shaking. Shaking aerates tomato juice into a pale froth and ruins both the colour and the body.

Why the Bloody Mary Works

Vodka is a flavour-neutral carrier; the drink is a savoury seasoning showcase. Tomato juice supplies body, lemon supplies acid, Worcestershire supplies umami. Celery bitters are the aromatic that pulls the green-vegetal notes (celery salt, sometimes a stick) into focus, making the drink read garden-fresh rather than just savoury.

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