Fill a highball glass or pint glass with ice to chill while you mix the cocktail. If you prefer a salted rim, rub a lime wedge around the rim and dip in a small plate of celery salt before filling with ice (optional).

Combine ingredients

In a cocktail shaker (or mixing glass) filled halfway with ice, pour 2 oz vodka, 4 oz Bloody Mary mix, and 0.5 oz fresh lime juice. Add 0.5 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 dashes hot sauce, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 0.25 tsp celery salt.

Mix

Secure the shaker lid and roll or gently shake 5–8 seconds to chill and slightly aerate (traditional Bloody Marys are often rolled rather than vigorously shaken to preserve texture). If using a mixing glass, stir briskly for about 10 seconds.

Serve

Discard ice from the chilled serving glass if you used it to chill. Fill the glass with fresh ice and strain the mixed Bloody Mary into the glass over the ice.

Garnish and finish

Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim, a celery stalk, and/or an olive or pickled green bean. Give the drink a final gentle stir. Taste and adjust: add an extra dash of hot sauce, a squeeze of lime, or a pinch more celery salt or black pepper if desired.