The "Perfect" Bloody Mary

Yeah, yeah, I know, everybody's got their own "favorite" recipe for the classic summer drink, the Bloody Mary. I've been searching for years for one I could call my own and recently found a recipe in a very popular food magazine claiming "so and so's" restaurant version to be the very best. Now this was not an easy recipe to make. It required cooking. It required pureeing. I think it required straining (to keep the tomato skin particles out of my teeth). Then it required mixing, garnishing, blah, blah, blah. Worst thing about it? It tasted Blah!!!

So once again I tried to make a simpler and yet much more flavorful version myself that could beat anything else I've tried and this time I think I've done it. It still requires a little bit of work but beats the hell out of the magazine's version in terms of effort and taste (in my humble opinion). So if you're interested, here goes...

The Dry Mix (this is the only hard part, I promise):

Dry Mix:
1.5 - 2T (that's tablespoons) fennel seeds*
.5t (that's teaspoons) celery seed
1.5t kosher salt (or, regular salt, it doesn't matter. Us *foodies* just always use kosher)
Grind in a coffee mill or in a morter and pestle to a powder
Then mix in
1T granulated or powdered garlic
1T onion powder
Set aside.
*Fennel is one of those spices you either love or hate. When in doubt, start with less.

Now we can make our Bloody Mary.
Start by combining in a Boston Shaker:
4 oz "Spicy Hot" V8 Juice
2 oz Clamato Juice
2 oz Guinness Beer
1 oz orange juice
1.5 oz vodka (your pick)

Add to this:
1.5t Dry Mix (from above)
A "squeeze" of lemon
A "squeeze" of lime
A "dash" of Worcestershire sauce
A "dash" of Tabasco
A "squeeze" of hot chili sauce (like sriracha sauce)
A "grind" or two of black pepper
A "dollup" of fresh or processed horseradish (yes, fresh is better)

Now shake vigorously in a Boston Shaker with several ice cubes.

Before pouring into your highball glass you may want to "rim" it. My favorite is a combination of lemon-pepper seasoning and salt. You may choose something else. Start by wetting the edge of the glass with a lime or lemon wedge. Then invert the glass over your pepper salt mixture to coat the edge.

Now carefully pour your drink into the glass without messing up the edge. Want some garnish? Try celery sticks, carrot sticks, green beans, lime or lemon wedges, jalapenos, olives or even a piece of crispy bacon.

Enjoy!

If you have any favorite Bloody Mary recipes of your own please let me know.Until then... Fred