You don’t have to use every ingredient on this list, but you’ll definitely have fun experimenting to find your favorite combo. No matter which seasonings you use, your Bloody Mary will taste better than anyone else’s on the block because you went to the trouble to grill your own dang tomatoes! And of course, even served sans booze, this mix is rich, tangy and bursting with garden-fresh flavor.
3 ounces grilled tomatoes,
puréed
3 ounces clam and/or tomato juice
Several dashes hot sauce, depending on desired heat
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Dash of fresh horseradish, grated
Pinch celery salt
Pinch black pepper
Juice of half a lemon
11⁄2 ounces vodka (See Note, right)
Garnish options:
celery stalk, pickled green beans or okra, ultrathin slivers of jalapeno, lime wedge
Add all the ingredients except vodka to a cocktail shaker, and shake once. Pour the vodka over ice, then add the mix and garnish.
Note: Try a small-batch vodka produced in old-fashioned pot stills, such as Tito’s Handmade, Rehorst and Hangar One, or smooth and delicious Three Olives Tomato Vodka. Or try infusing your own vodka with sun-dried tomatoes. Add 1 dried tomato per ounce of vodka, and let steep in the refrigerator for a couple of days before using. After a week or so, discard old tomatoes and replace with new ones. Don't forget to check out more of our delicious summer recipes!