Bloody Marys Recipe

Prepare glass rims

Pour the 0.5 tsp coarse salt (or celery salt) and 0.25 tsp coarse black pepper onto a small plate and mix. Rub a lemon wedge around the rim of four highball or pint glasses. Dip each rim into the salt-pepper mixture to coat evenly. Set glasses aside.

Prepare garnishes

Trim the celery stalks into 4 long sticks, rinse and pat dry. Thread two cocktail olives onto a small cocktail pick for each glass (optional: add a pickled green bean). Cut the remaining lemon and lime wedges and place them on a small platter for serving.

In a large mixing pitcher or cocktail shaker (large enough for about 32 oz), add the tomato juice (16 oz), vodka (8 oz), fresh lemon juice (2 tbsp), Worcestershire sauce (2 tsp), prepared horseradish (1 tsp), hot sauce (8 drops), celery salt (1 tsp), freshly ground black pepper (1 tsp), smoked paprika (1 tsp), and fine sea salt (1 tsp).

Stir the mixture thoroughly with a long bar spoon for 20–30 seconds until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning: add more hot sauce for heat, more lemon for brightness, or additional Worcestershire for umami. If you prefer a thicker texture, add an extra 1–2 tsp of horseradish; for a smoother, lighter drink reduce tomato juice by up to 2 oz and add equal parts soda water (not included) if desired.

If serving immediately: fill each rimmed glass with 4–6 ice cubes. Pour 4 oz of the prepared Bloody Mary mix into each glass (this recipe makes approximately four 6–8 oz cocktails including ice). If you prefer chilled but less diluted cocktails, refrigerate the mixed batch for 30 minutes before assembling. If you prefer a fully blended, slightly frothy texture, place 1 cup of mix into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake vigorously for 5–7 seconds, then strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.

Garnish each glass with a celery stalk, a lemon or lime wedge on the rim, and the olive pick. Serve immediately.

Keep ice on hand to fill glasses (about 4–6 cubes per drink). Replace with fresh ice when serving multiple rounds to avoid overly diluted drinks.