Jalapeño Bloody Mary Recipe

Rim the glass

Rub the lime wedge around the rim of a highball or pint glass. Mix coarse salt with smoked paprika on a small plate and dip the rim into the mixture to coat evenly. Set the glass aside.

Slice and taste

Slice the fresh jalapeño in half lengthwise. Using the back of a spoon or a small knife, remove seeds if you want milder heat (leave them for hotter). Taste a tiny piece to gauge heat level so you can adjust amount used.

Place one halved jalapeño (or an appropriate amount depending on heat preference) in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Reserve 2 thin slices for garnish.

Muddle gently

Gently muddle the jalapeño in the shaker 6–8 times to release oils and heat; avoid pulverizing into a paste. If you want a pronounced infuse but clear texture, you can press against the side of the shaker lightly and rotate.

Add vodka, tomato juice, fresh lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, smoked paprika, freshly ground black pepper, and pickling liquid (if using) into the shaker with the muddled jalapeño.

Add ice and shake or roll

Add about 3/4 cup cubed ice to the shaker. For a slightly frothier, integrated drink, shake vigorously for 8–10 seconds. For a more lightly mixed, less cloudy drink, perform two back-and-forth glass-to-glass rolls (or stir briefly) to combine without over-dilution.

If you prefer less particulate in the drink, fine-strain into a separate container or directly into the glass through a fine strainer to remove jalapeño pieces and pulp. Otherwise, double strain through a Hawthorne or fine mesh.

Fill the prepared rimmed glass with fresh ice (top with about 1 cup cubed ice). Pour the strained Bloody Mary mixture into the glass.

Garnish with the reserved jalapeño slices threaded onto a cocktail pick, a celery stalk, lime wedge on the rim, and optional pickled green bean or olive. Adjust a final few drops of hot sauce or a pinch more celery salt to taste.

Serve immediately with a stirrer so the drinker can adjust seasoning and heat while sipping.