Bloody Mary Granitas Recipe

Combine liquids and seasonings

In a large mixing bowl or pitcher, pour 4 cups tomato juice and 1 cup vodka. Add 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp hot sauce, and 1 tsp prepared horseradish. Whisk to combine.

Add dry seasonings and sugar

Stir in 1 tsp celery salt, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tbsp granulated sugar. Taste and adjust: add more hot sauce for heat, more lemon for brightness, or a pinch more sugar if the mixture tastes too acidic.

Chill the mixture

Cover the bowl or pitcher and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour (preferably 2 hours). Chilling improves texture when freezing and helps flavors meld.

Initial freeze

Pour the chilled Bloody Mary mixture into a shallow metal or glass baking dish (a 9x13 or similar works well; shallower is faster). Place the dish uncovered in the coldest part of the freezer. Freeze for 45–60 minutes, until the edges are frozen and the center is still slushy.

Scrape to form crystals

Using a fork, scrape the frozen edges toward the center to create coarse crystals. Return the dish to the freezer.

Repeat scraping

Continue to check every 30 minutes, scraping and breaking up forming ice crystals with a fork each time. Repeat 3–5 times over 2–3 hours until the entire mixture is a light, fluffy granular texture (granita).

Finish texture and rest

When the granita has a flaky, scoopable texture, cover the dish loosely with plastic wrap and leave in the freezer for 15–30 minutes to firm slightly before serving. If it becomes too hard, let it sit at room temperature 5–10 minutes and re-fluff with a fork.

Prepare glass rims (optional)

If rimming glasses, rub a lemon wedge around the rim of chilled serving glasses, then dip into coarse salt or celery salt to coat.

Scoop and present

Spoon or shave the granita into prepared glasses or small bowls, filling about three-quarters full. For a boozy slushy, press a short straw into each serving and add a small splash (1/2 tbsp) extra vodka if desired.

Garnish

Garnish each serving with a celery stalk, lemon wedge, 2 cocktail olives, and a strip of crispy bacon as desired. Serve immediately with a spoon and/or straw.