New Year's Day - Bloody Marys - More Than Just a Cocktail

The Bloody Mary is one of the most creative cocktails due to the basic fact that pretty much anything can go into a Bloody Mary.  Anything savory, that is.  I've always loved the epic DIY Bloody Mary Bars found in New Orleans with different tomato juice choices, countless bottles of exotic hot sauce, and an array of garnishes from the traditional celery to pickled vegetables to breakfast meats.  A good Bloody Mary does not follow rules, it is an impulse.  Adding, mixing, and adding more flavorful ingredients until the potation is just right.

You, after a rough night such as New Year's Eve need more than a drink, you need a meal damn it!

This year, I'm excited to make these wildly creative variations on the Bloody Mary created by Top Chef alum Dave Martin - jammed packed with spice, grilled veggies, and you know, a lobster claw or two.   After all, sometimes a perfect Bloody Mary needs an extra lobster claw and a few extra drops of hot sauce.  You know, for the electrolytes.

Captain Mary - Extra Lobster Claw Not Pictured

Captain Mary

Yields One 10 oz Highball Glass

2 oz Ultimat Vodka
4 oz of your Favorite Tomato Juice
2 oz Heirloom Tomatoes
½ tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tsp Red Chili Sauce(sambal olek)
¼ tsp Fresh Horseradish
¼ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/8 tsp Celery Seed
1/8 tsp Celery Salt
1/8 tsp Kosher Salt
1/8 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/8 tsp Tabasco Sauce

Garnish:  1 Marinated Artichoke Heart; 1 Peppedew Pepper; 1 roasted large shrimp or Lobster Claw

Other suggestions: 1 piece Marinated Bocconcini (stuff this into the center of the peppedew pepper), 1 Roasted Garlic Clove

Blend all ingredients along with ice in a shaker or pitcher and then pour over ice cubes into Highball glass. Serve with skewered garnish resting on glass and serve immediately.

Ultimat Heat - Additional Shrimp Optional

Ultimat Heat
Yields Four 2 oz Shot Glass

2 oz Ultimat Vodka
4 oz Clamato Juice
2 oz Fire Roasted Tomatoes
1 Roasted Garlic Clove
½ tsp Fresh Lime Juice
1/8 tsp Kosher Salt
1/8 tsp Ground Black Pepper
½ tsp Agave

Garnish:  1 each- 5 inch Bamboo Skewer; 1 roasted Large Shrimp; 1 piece Lemon Rind and 1 piece asparagus

Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and pour into shot glass. Set garnish across the top of the glass and serve.