National Bloody Mary Day
A drink beloved by hungover brunch-goers, it’s only appropriate that National Bloody Mary Day is January 1st. It’s a savory, spicy, hair-of-the-dog cocktail with its own snack garnish. What better way to rescue what might otherwise be a sad start to the year following a night of Champagne and revelry?
At its core, the Bloody Mary is a tomato juice-based cocktail. Seasonings include Worcestershire sauce, lemon, and perhaps horseradish or hot sauce. It’s most often strengthened with vodka and then served tall over ice, garnished with a celery stick.
Bloody Marys date back to 1921 when Parisian bartender Fernand Petiot combined liquor with tomato juice over ice. The celery stick wouldn’t come along until the 1960s. According to legend, a customer didn’t want a straw at Chicago’s Ambassador East Hotel and was instead given a stick of celery to stir their drink. Since then, bartenders and home drinkers the world over have added all sorts of fun garnishes to join the iconic celery:
- Pickled okra, green beans, or green tomatoes
- Green olives
- Lime and/or lemon wedges
- Bacon strips
- Poached or spiced shrimp
- Mini grilled cheese sandwiches
- Lobster claws
- Even a whole roasted chicken!
The possibilities are endless!
Feel like making your own Bloody Mary, to celebrate this January 1st? Keep reading for one of our favorite recipes below, as well as a handful of variations to suit every palate.
Classic Bloody Mary Recipe
Makes 1 cocktail; can easily be scaled up to a whole pitcher
- Good quality tomato juice
- 2 ounces vodka* of choice
- 2-3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 1 lemon wedge
- Horseradish or hot sauce to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Nearly fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add two ounces of vodka* and the Worcestershire sauce, then squeeze in the lemon wedge.
- Pour enough tomato juice to just about fill the glass, and add seasonings of choice.
- Stir with a bar spoon/stalk of celery to incorporate all ingredients. You can also tip the contents of the glass into a larger glass (called “rolling”) and then back into the original glass in order to combine. Either stirring or rolling works just fine.
- Garnish with whatever fun flavors you want to incorporate!
*While the original recipe calls for vodka, you can substitute just about any clear liquor to your liking.
If you’d prefer tequila to vodka, your Bloody Mary is now a Bloody Maria! Feeling like gin instead? This slightly botanical variation is called a Red Snapper. You can even sub in a Mexican lager to make a Michelada – this works really well with a spicy, salty rim and some lime.
Let your imagination run wild while making your own Bloody Mary! You can spice it up, tone it down, or leave out the alcohol altogether. Bloody Marys are as easy to make for a crowd as they are for just one glass, and we can’t think of a better cocktail to start the new year off right. Cheers to 2022 from all of us at PrestigeHaus!
How do you like to dress up your Bloody Mary?
About Author
Each decanter is handcrafted and hand-blown, formed into designs limited only by imagination. We never skip steps to cut costs either. Instead, our decanters are made the hard way because quality takes effort and that’s what you deserve. Whether you are looking for a statement piece for your home bar or shopping for something elegant for that special loved one, our decanters are always a timeless gift. If you're searching for style, inspired craftsmanship, and a transformative piece of art that also elevates the flavor profile of your favorite wines and spirits, look no further.