Bloody Mary Recipe

Rim the glass

Run the lemon wedge around the rim of a highball or pint glass. Dip the rim into a shallow dish with the coarse salt or celery salt to coat. Set the glass aside.

Fill a cocktail shaker or a large mixing glass halfway with ice.

Add vodka (2 oz), tomato juice (4 oz), fresh lemon juice (0.5 oz), Worcestershire sauce (3 tsp), hot sauce (3 dashes), prepared horseradish (0.5 tsp), celery salt (0.25 tsp), a pinch of freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika if using.

Stir the mixture briskly for 20–30 seconds to chill and slightly dilute. Stirring is preferred over shaking to maintain the tomato juice texture and avoid frothing.

Taste and adjust seasoning: add another dash of hot sauce for heat, more Worcestershire for umami, or a pinch more celery salt or horseradish to taste.

Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice (if desired). Strain the mixed cocktail into the glass.

Garnish with a celery stalk and a lemon wedge on the rim. Spear the olives (and pickled bean or pickle spear if using) on a cocktail pick and rest it across the glass.

Serve with a long spoon or straw. Encourage the drinker to stir before sipping so the flavors remain integrated.