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THE BLOODY MARY —
EARTH’S MOST NUTRITIOUS COCKTAIL
If you’re looking for a drink with timeless appeal, this is it. Bloody Marys are tall and robust with thick substantial bodies chock full of garden fresh vegetables, herbs and spices. They also have a spicy kick. A world-class Bloody Mary shouldn’t scald the larynx, but it does need to warm the senses and impress the recipient he or she is still alive.
When made well, Bloody Marys are works of art more along the lines of meals with attitudes than lip-smacking thirst quenchers. At Finest Call, we’ve dedicated ourselves to perfecting the experience and can help you serve your guests utterly memorable Bloody Marys. Bon Appetit! —RP
THE BLOODY MARY AT A GLANCE
• DIFFICULTY OF PREPARATION: 5.1 TO 8.6 OUT OF 10 — The Bloody Mary is often referred to as the “thinking man or woman’s drink.” Perhaps the reason is that devising a Bloody Mary from scratch involves schematics and architectural blueprints. To call the process detail-oriented is an understatement.
That’s why most professionals prefer instead opening a bottle of FINEST CALL BLOODY MARY MIX. It offers the same scratch-like quality and palate-pleasing flavors as those made by previous generations of bartenders. The advantage is that with Finest Call the process takes but a moment versus decades.
[Scale 1– 10: The difficulty factor involved in preparing a Bloody Mary from scratch is 8.6 out of 10, which indicates that several days and an advanced degree are required. However, making drinks with Finest Call Bloody Mary Mix only rates a difficulty factor of 5.1, this for the simple reason that you still need to choose between their original Bloody Mary Mix, or Finest Call’s Loaded or Extra Spicy, and that’s not easy.]
• UP-SELLING POTENTIAL: 7.7 OUT OF 10 — Today most consumers understand that preparing a Bloody Mary with premium vodka yields better results than using a less expensive, lower quality brand. That awareness makes these relatively easy drinks to up-sell guests into ordering from the top-shelf.
[Scale 1– 10: A drink with an up-selling potential of 5.0 or higher means it’s a financial thoroughbred, a cocktail tailor-made for top-shelf spirits. A cocktail rating below 5 signifies a drink in which the brand of spirits used are of secondary importance compared to the overall effect looking to be achieved.]
• ALCOHOL POTENCY: Bloody Marys are tall iced drinks and the vodka used in these drinks is highly diluted by the mix. As such they are typically less potent than most cocktails. That said don’t discount their potential for inducing intoxication.
[As a general rule, 1 1/4-ounces of distilled spirits is equal in alcohol to 4-ounces of wine and 10-ounces of beer.]
• PORTIONING CONSIDERATIONS — Most Bloody Marys are prepared using one part alcohol (vodka) to four parts mix. More specifically, vodka portions usually range from 1 1/4 to 2 ounces. When setting out to devise a Mary masterpiece, it’s a good idea beginning with a conservative portion of vodka. From there making the drink stronger involves little more than a minor tweak to the recipe. However, if at the onset you use too much vodka relative to the size of the glass and proportion of the drink is too strong it’s not as easily fixed.
• SEASONAL ORIENTATION AND TRADE PERIOD — The Bloody Mary is worthy of promoting every day of the year. It’s hard to imagine there’s a day of the year when a Bloody Mary isn’t a welcomed sight.
Since its inception in the early 1920s, the Bloody Mary has been a fixture at Sunday brunch because of its unsurpassed ability to whet the appetite and reinvigorate the spirit. Those same attributes also make it an excellent choice for the so-called “Cocktail Hour,” that time before dinner when thirst and hunger collide and the desire for a bracer is at its height.
• GLASSWARE OPTIONS — Serving guest fabulous Bloody Marys in a plain, nondescript glass is like displaying a magnificent painting in a cardboard frame. Bloody Marys are tall substantial drinks invariably served with ice that deserves a tall, good looking glass. The glass you choose should be have minimum capacity of 12-14 ounces, although those with 16-18 ounces capacities offer more latitude when it comes to garnishing and adding a few creative twists.
• ALCOHOL-FREE OPTIONS: 9.8 OUT OF 10 — While part of the Bloody Mary’s personality is derived from the inclusion of vodka, there are many creative ways of preparing delicious Marys that don’t contain a drop of alcohol. The tremendous character of FINEST CALL BLOODY MARY MIXES make them ideal candidates for promoting as alcohol-free specialties. Honestly, they’re so delicious the vodka won’t even be missed.
[Scale: The rating of 9.8 out of 10 indicates the Bloody Mary is among the elite of all alcohol-free categories. They’re easily concocted and nearly error proof. So have fun and treat your guests to some hangover-proof artistry.]
CREATING BLOODY MARY MAGIC
The secret to a world-class Bloody Mary lies in the quality and exuberance of its mix. There are those who make Bloody Marys from scratch—painstakingly adding a few pinches dashes of this and a healthy dash of that directly into the glass in which it’s being served. Few drinks are as involved to make or as engaging to watch being constructed.
While much can be said for building the drink from the ground up, the practice has fallen out of favor, largely because of the difficulty in attaining consistency from one drink to the next. The problem is some bartenders may use more of certain ingredients than others or leave others out altogether. Considering the inordinate amount of time it takes to build the drink from scratch you have a persuasive case for using our killer Bloody Mary mixes.
• FINEST CALL PREMIUM BLOODY MARY MIX — The original version is a franchise performer brimming with pizzazz. FINEST CALL PREMIUM BLOODY MARY MIX is made with the same roster of ingredients as you’d find in a gourmet scratch recipe—namely tomato juice from California’s Central Valley and a secret blend of spices, celery salt, celery seed oil, salt, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. The mix is lightly peppered with a hearty, altogether engaging personality. Pour over ice and it’s ready to go.
The following recipes feature Finest Call Premium Bloody Mary Mix. They’ve all field-tested and pronounced fabulous.
Bloody Mary
Bloody Geisha
Danish Mary
Dirty Mary
Italian Bloody Maria
Mango Mango Mary
Mellow Maria
Michilata Authentico
• FINEST CALL LOADED BLOODY MARY MIX — Apparently the working premise behind FINEST CALL LOADED BLOODY MARY MIX is “if a little is good, more is better.” Turns out to be absolutely spot-on. Basically we took all of the good stuff that made our original Bloody Mary Mix so popular and used more of it. Among the additional ingredients featured are basil, lemon juice for fresh citrusy notes, horseradish from California and a jalapeno puree, which boosts the mixes’ heat quotient and contributes to the hearty consistency. The spicy lingering finish is laced with the flavor of jalapeño peppers.
Prove it for yourself. The following recipes feature Finest Call Premium Loaded Bloody Mary Mix. It’ll only take one to prove the point, but why stop there?
Bloodhound Mary
Bloody Caesar
Bloody Nose
Jäger Salsa Mary
Red Hot Maria
• FINEST CALL EXTRA SPICY BLOODY MARY MIX — Here’s a drink mix for those subscribing to the notion that life’s too short to tolerate boring drinks. Often referred to as a “Texas Style Bloody Mary,” the mix has a building type heat, meaning the more you drink, the hotter the drink becomes. No need to check your pulse with this mix. Its extra kick comes from the added dose of habañero and cracked black peppers. Even when iced and laced with vodka the mix brings a respectable amount of heat.
If you’re in the mood for some ¡la vida loca! then our Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix has your name written all over it. Check out the following recipes.
Bloody Bastard
Bloody Bull
Bloody Cajun
Bloody Russian Bastard
Bloody Tex-Mex
Dirty Bloody Cajun
Irish Mary
Jalisco Peppered Maria
FINEST CALL FRESH
FINEST CALL BLOODY MARY MIXES are delicious and skillfully balanced. Yet go ahead and splash in some olive juice or add a heaping tablespoon of fresh salsa or crushed roasted garlic our mixes if it suits your fancy.
Devising a signature Bloody Mary mix for the bar requires patience, a keen palate and repeated taste testing. It’s important to sample the mix throughout the process over ice. In addition to cooling the mix, the ice will dilute its consistency and spicy character, factors that need to be considered.
Over the years we’ve collected a fair amount of experience about making sensational Bloody Mary mixes. Here’s a sampling of what we’ve learned.
• CONSISTENCY COUNTS — Where Mary is concerned thin is not in. To the contrary, a Bloody Mary sporting a rich, thick consistency immediately conveys quality. It suggests that the drink is substantial, nutritious and vitamin enriched. Similar to stew, the thicker and heartier the mix, the more life sustaining it is.
• SAUCY MODIFIERS — Worcestershire sauce, prepared horseradish and Tabasco sauce have become synonymous with the Bloody Mary. However, if you’re feeling more adventuresome, consider using modifiers as A-1 sauce, Mexican hot sauce or pureed salsa, pickle juice, barbeque sauce, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, olive juice, chopped cilantro, fresh lime or lemon juice, Angostura Bitters or jalapeño juice.
• SEASONING OPTIONS —Celery salt, salt and ground black pepper are typically at the top of the list. However, it’s a long list that includes cayenne pepper, fresh wasabi, cumin, paprika, crushed dried red peppers, onion powder, garlic salt or powder, thyme, Chinese mustard, seasoned salt, chili powder, cardamom, Italian seasoning, ginger powder, Old Bay seasoning, black peppercorns and basil leaves. Whether you use a pinch, a teaspoon, or a dash of any of the above is entirely up to you.
• CELEBRATED COMBINATIONS — The BLOODY CAJUN derives its personality by adding paprika, crushed thyme leaves and Green Tabasco Sauce to Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, while the BLOODY TEX-MEX, a tempting offering made with chili powder, ground cumin and Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix.
Another classic combo is the ITALIAN MARIA, a tempting blend of garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasonings and Finest Call Extra Loaded Bloody Mary Mix. A MEXICAN MARIA is prepared with tequila, salsa, hot sauce and garnished with a small handful of tortilla chips.
BLOODY MARY TIPS FROM THE PROS
A few simple alterations to a recipe can transform a Bloody Mary into an entirely new taste experience to revel in.
One of the most famous Mary variations is the BLOODY CAESAR, a classic made with a healthy dose of clam juice, or more likely, Clamato Juice. The drink is virtually an institution in Canada where its popularity far exceeds that of the Bloody Mary. Another famous variation is the BLOODY BULL, which is prepared with an added shot of beef bouillon.
To make the process more enjoyable and the learning curve less steep, here are a few ideas on creating sensational specialty Bloody Marys.
• SPIRIT OPTIONS — While the Bloody Mary is among the classic vodka cocktails, the mix plays well with other spirits as well. An excellent example is the tequila-laced Bloody Maria. It’s almost as if tequila was created with the Bloody Mary in mind. The drink mix with its spices and heat is tailor-made to showcase the best qualities of tequila, namely its earthy, spicy and often peppery character.
Few recipes better illustrate the versatility of the drink than the JÄGER SALSA MARY, which is made with Jägermeister, mild salsa fresca and Finest Call Loaded Bloody Mary Mix.
• BREWED MARYS — Beer is a marvelous ingredient in a Bloody Mary. For example, the BLOODY BASTARD is a savory concoction made with Bass Ale, horseradish and Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix. Add Stolichnaya Citros to convert the recipe into a BLOODY RUSSIAN BASTARD. Another beer laced Mary is the Mexican classic MICHELATA AUTHENTICO. It’s a tall, iced drink created using tequila and equal parts of Mexican lager and our original Finest Call Bloody Mary Mix.
• PLAYING WITH FIRE — Some people want a Bloody Mary hot and spicy to the point of being nearly combustible. There are others who prefer to survive the experience fully intact. The concept of hot and spicy is a relative one, so caution needs to be exercised when adding heat, regardless of whether it’s in the form of spice or sauce. It is far easier to add more heat to a Bloody Mary than to calm one down.
• EDIBLE SWIZZLES — Why has virtually every Bloody Mary ever served been accompanied by a piece of celery? While opinions differ, one thing is undeniably true; celery is an effective and quasi-attractive swizzle stalk. It allows the recipient to both stir the drink and have a nosh.
Regardless of whether it’s edible or not, providing your guests with a means of stirring their Bloody Marys is part of the overall experience. Yet there’s no law on the books that says you need to stick with celery. Indeed, there are a bunch of fun options when it comes to edible swizzles, namely an asparagus spear, scallion, beef or turkey jerky, jicima sticks, cucumber spears or something akin to a Slim Jim.
• STRONG FINISH — The final touch to any noteworthy Bloody Mary is the garnish. More than a mere embellishment, the garnish should be considered an ingredient in the drink. The embellishments sitting atop a Bloody Mary contribute to both the flavor of the drink and the enhancement of its overall visual appeal. It’s hard to over do it when it comes to garnishes, so don’t be stingy, however, do consider how much volume the garnishes will take up in the drink. It’s a mistake to add so many finishing touches that the drink overflows its glass.
A fresh lime, or lemon wedge is the other standard garnish on a Bloody Mary. Each adds a delightful citrus tang to the drink. But no need to stop there, optional garnishes include cooked shrimp or prawns, pickled green beans, bleu-cheese stuffed olives, cherry tomatoes, chili pepper rods, sliced bell peppers, speared tomatoes, roasted garlic, cubed cheese, tortilla chips, pepperocinis or small jalapeños peppers.
Another trademark of a well-dressed Bloody Mary is a salted rim. To do so rub a lime wedge against the outside rim of the glass and then dip the glass into a saucer of kosher salt. A sage practice in this day and age is salting half the rim, affording guests the option of moderating how much salt they consume. If given the time, salt glasses in advance, allowing the lime juice and salt combination to harden. Another creative maneuver is adding some black pepper, or crushed red peppers to the salt.
FINEST CALL BLOODY MARY RECIPE
BLOODY MARY
Salt-rimmed bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
Fill with Finest Call Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge and celery stalk
FINEST CALL SIGNATURE BLOODY MARYS
BLOODHOUND MARY
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Dry Sack Sherry
Fill with Finest Call Loaded Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge and celery stalk
BLOODY BASTARD
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
Half fill with Bass Ale
Half fill with Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
1⁄2 tbsp. prepared horseradish
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge and skewered shrimp
BLOODY BULL
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. beef broth
Fill with Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a piece of beef jerky and a celery stalk
BLOODY CAESAR
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
Half fill with Clamato juice
Half fill with Finest Call Loaded Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge and celery stalk
BLOODY CAJUN
Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
2-3 dashes Green Tabasco Sauce
1⁄4 tsp. crushed thyme leaves
2 pinches paprika
Fill with Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge and celery stalk
BLOODY GEISHA
Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Saké
Fill with Finest Call Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lemon wedge
BLOODY NOSE
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
Fill with Finest Call Loaded Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Float raw oyster
Garnish with a lime wedge and celery stalk
BLOODY RUSSIAN BASTARD
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Stoli Citros Vodka
2 oz. Bass Ale
Fill with Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge
BLOODY TEX-MEX
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
2 pinches ground cumin
2 pinches chili powder
Fill with Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with toasted garlic croutons
DANISH MARY
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Aquavit
2 oz. Clamato juice
Fill with Finest Call Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge and celery stalk
DIRTY BLOODY CAJUN
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
1⁄4 tsp. crushed thyme leaves
2 pinches paprika
1⁄4 oz. olive juice (brine)
Fill with Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge, pimento-stuffed olives and celery stalk
DIRTY MARY
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
1⁄2 oz. olive juice (brine)
Fill with Finest Call Loaded Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge and pimento-stuffed olives
IRISH MARY
Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
1⁄2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 oz. fresh lime juice
Fill with Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Top with Guinness Irish Stout
Garnish with a skewered olive, onion, lime wedge and cucumber spear placed across the top of the glass
ITALIAN BLOODY MARIA
Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Vodka
1⁄4 tsp. Italian seasoning
2 pinches paprika
Fill with Finest Call Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lemon wedge and pepperoni slice
JÄGER SALSA MARY
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Jägermeister
2 tsp. mild salsa fresca
Fill with Finest Call Loaded Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with tortilla chips
JALISCO PEPPERED MARIA
Salt-rimmed pint glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Jalapeño-infused Tequila
3⁄4 oz. Finest Call Lime Sour Mix
Pinch crushed red peppers
Fill with Finest Call Extra Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a pinch crushed red peppers and small fresh red pepper
MANGO MANGO MARY
Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Mango Flavored Vodka
1 oz. Finest Call Mango Puree
Fill with Finest Call Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge, celery stalk and mango slice
MELLOW MARIA
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Tequila
Fill with Finest Call Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lemon wedge and celery stalk
MICHILATA AUTHENTICO
Salt-rimmed pint glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Reposado Tequila
4 oz. Finest Call Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Fill with Tecáte Mexican Beer
Garnish with a lime wedge
RED HOT MARIA
Salt-rimmed Collins or bucket glass, ice
Build in glass
1 1⁄2 oz. Tequila
1 pinch finely chopped cilantro
Fill with Finest Call Loaded Bloody Mary Mix
Stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge and celery stalk
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