Pour coarse salt (or celery salt) and fresh cracked black pepper onto a small plate and combine. Run the lemon wedge around the rim of a chilled highball glass, then dip the rim into the salt/pepper mixture to coat evenly. Set the glass aside.

Fill the prepared highball glass with ice cubes and set aside while assembling the drink to keep it cold.

Build the Bloody Mary

In a cocktail shaker or stirring glass add 12 oz tomato juice, 2 oz vodka, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 oz pickle brine. The pickle brine adds the signature tang from your homemade spicy pickles.

Add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 0.5 teaspoon prepared horseradish (plus the optional extra 0.25 tsp if you like it hotter), and 3 dashes hot sauce. These provide savory, umami, and heat components.

Season the mix with 4 turns freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon celery salt, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika if using. Taste and adjust seasoning: add more pickle brine for tang, hot sauce for heat, or Worcestershire for umami.

Gently roll the mixture between the shaker and a mixing glass or stir with a bar spoon for 10–15 seconds to chill and combine. Do not hard-shake tomato-based cocktails — gentle mixing preserves texture and reduces foam.

Strain (or pour) the mixed Bloody Mary over the ice-filled prepared highball glass, leaving room at the top for garnishes and the beer chaser.

Garnish & Serve

Skewer 2 pitted green olives and 2 pickled mushrooms on a cocktail pick and lay across the rim or drop into the drink. Add the homemade spicy pickle spear vertically into the glass so it sits partly in the drink.

Place a lemon wedge on the rim or squeeze a finishing squeeze of lemon into the drink to brighten flavors. Optionally add a celery stalk as a stirrer.

Serve immediately with an iced 12 oz beer chaser (lager or pilsner) on the side. The guest can sip the Bloody Mary and then chase with beer, or alternate sips as desired.

If preparing multiple drinks, prepare mix to taste in a pitcher and keep chilled; add vodka per glass (2 oz) and garnish individually to maintain presentation.