Bobby Beers' Bloody Mary
by Aubrey "Bobby Beers" White
A good Bloody Mary is hard to come by. Bartenders will begrudgingly mix you a shitty concoction of Mary-mix and vodka, glaring at you when you skimp on the tip. I've even been refused a Bloody Mary! Too much effort; too much sweat.
I am, thusly, beyond appreciative when I see a 'tender revel in the craft of the Bloody Mary. (Quick aside: Once a bored bartender was so stoked on my ordering a Mary that he gave it to me for free. Best Mary I've ever had).
I made a batch of Mary’s for brunch in Portland, on the aforementioned Hot Knives weekend bonanza. I’ve been asked to share the reppie here, just in time for a liquid breakfast on Mother’s Day.
I was working with Bloody Mary Mix — not ideal, but it served its purpose. I'd opt for V8 any day. But if you're using a mix, go for spicy and, in my humble opinion, avoid anything with clam juice. If you make it right, you may not even have room for breakfast.
Bobby Beers’ Bloody Mary
Serves 4 people
3 cups V8 Juice, chilled
1 cup premium vodka, chilled
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 squeezed lemon
1 Tbs. horseradish
1 handful of cornichons, finely chopped
2 Tbs. Tapatio hot sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1. Mix all ingredients in a large metal bowl.
2. Serve in a tall glass on ice and garnish with a celery stick each, a couple of whole cornichons, and a spoonful of capers.
This is one of my favorite drinks as a concept, but I don't order it often as I've had too many "Vodka and tomato juice" versions... but this... this was amazing! Delicious, spicy, complex, and very, very tasty.
FINALLY, somebody else who likes a Bloody Mary. Recently, I was dragged to a Russian vodka place called Bar Lubistch. Spiciest goddamn Bloody Mary of my whole entire life but well worth it. Check check it.
Alex's Bar in Long Beach makes a Nuclear Bloody Mary that will knock your combat boots off. Worth the haul south. The bartender there was completely stoked to serve these up!