How to Make the Perfect Bloody Mary

02/11/10  Print This Post Print This Post    8 Comments      Written by Alex Nolette
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Photo by: The Dabble

How to prepare the hangover cure of the century.

Most sources point to Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, where bartender Fernand Petiot originated this tomato cocktail in its modern day form. A staple of Sunday morning brunch, the Bloody Mary can help cure the worst of what’s hanging over from your Saturday night.

To make the perfect Bloody Mary, it’s a good idea to learn from the master. This recipe is adapted from a 1964 New Yorker article in which Petiot explains his technique in making his famous drink.

Start with a clean shaker. Then add these ingredients, in this order:

Photo by:samsmith

-4 large dashes of Salt

-2 dashes of Black Pepper

-2 dashes of Cayenne Pepper (or 2 drops of Tabasco sauce)

-Cover the spices with a layer of Worcestershire Sauce (Lea and Perrins, please)

-1 dash of fresh Lemon Juice

-1 handful of Ice

-2 oz of Vodka (top shelf!)

-2 oz of thick Tomato Juice (R.W. Knudsen Organic Tomato Juice is my recommendation)

Shake it up, strain it into a Collins glass, and then garnish your perfect Bloody Mary with a stalk of celery and a lemon wedge.

If your more of the exotic type, there is plenty you can add to this original (celery salt, garlic, fresh horseradish), but why would you want to mess with perfection?

Community Connection

Looking for more drink recipes? Be sure to lap up our recipe for the perfect caipirinha, as well as some great recipes for 10 alternative martinis.


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About the Author

Alex Nolette

Alex Nolette is an overly self-critical, and strangely observant mid-twenties male. An over-active imagination manages to keep him sane in his mediocre life. A wanderer of sorts, he currently has his car parked in Raleigh,NC.

8 Comments... join the discussion!

  • David Page replied on February 12, 2010

    Nice one! But I gotta say, without the celery salt and horseradish, plus a little Dijon mustard and about 15 more good glugs of Tabasco (I prefer Cholula or Tapatío), what you’ve got is pretty much Campbell’s tomato soup with vodka in it! Which’ll do in a tight spot, but… :-)

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  • Alex Nolette replied on February 12, 2010

    That sounds like a Bloody Meal! haha

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  • Sean replied on February 13, 2010

    That does sound like the perfect Bloody Mary.

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  • Doug replied on February 13, 2010

    Bloody Mary’s are just fine I’m sure, but better than that, a Ceasar is a real drink.
    Loose the tomato juice and put in Clamato Juiice. A spiced green bean makes for an interesting twist over a piece of celery as well.

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  • Patrick Raymondo replied on February 16, 2010

    I am in 100% agreement!

    About a week ago I went out with a group of friends and to my dismhenshen the waitress returned with my Caesar, it had a huge dill pickle in place of the celery!!! I have never seen this before.

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  • Dave replied on February 19, 2010

    Make the Caesar, drop the celery, bean or pickle and replace with a pepperoni stick…Meat Lovers Caesar

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  • Marc Latham replied on February 26, 2010

    Bloody Mary’s are my fave ’short’. You’ve just made me want one Alex (and David), but luckily I don’t have the ingredients to hand, as it’s a bit early and I’ve work later!

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