'Tis the Season for...Bloody Marys!

I was having a well earned beer with one of my colleague, Sam and like most casual beers with our Sam the conversation always get interesting...

On this occasion we found ourselves talking about on of my favourite classic cocktails, the Bloody Mary.

Now I don't want to brag but if there is one thing I can do, it's make a mean Bloody Mary. In fact any time we have a gathering with family and friends I'm always asked to knock up a jug of the good stuff! It has also become a Christmas tradition in my household. I always cook up a Full English Breaky which wouldn't be complete without a 'hair of the dog' in the form of a spicy, vodka infused tomato juice!

Sam seems to think he makes an equally impressive B.M. and we debated the differences in our techniques and tried to justify who was right (obviously I was!).

After agreeing to disagree I was left with a thought...It was clear that both of us were equally passionate about this sensitive subject which we can play on. I imagine the art of making the perfect B.M to be like going to a hairdressers where you have the option to be seen by your preferred person. Why not order your favourite drink from your preferred bar tender, each server coming with their own personalised recipe?

So, I'm happy to share my secret and I hope it sorts out any hangovers that come your way over the festive period

PS. I wont tell you Sam's recipe...1. because it's wrong and 2. because it's his secret to tell.

Alors, Elliot's Bloody Mary...

It's handy to have a cocktail shaker but don't worry if you don't, you can simply stir in a glass.


1. In a Boston glass add a 50ml measure of Absolut Peppar Vodka
2. Throw in 14 good dashes of Worcester Sauce
3 Add 6 dashes of Tobasco Sauce (more if you like it spicier)
4. Pop in half a teaspoon of Horseradish Sauce
5. Squeeze a wedge of lemon into the mixture.
6. Fill the glass with ice.
7. Pour some good quality tomato juice over the mixture and ice until the glass is near full.
8. Using the shaker, roll the mixture so that you don't break the ice. Breaking the ice is bad as it will melt and water down the cocktail. The purpose of rolling the mixture is to chill it down without watering it down.
9. Using a strainer pour the cocktail into your preferred glass.
10. Gently pour a layer of Tio Pepe Fino Sherry over the top of the cocktail.
11. Finally, garnish with a wedge of lemon or a stick of celery

If you want to go 'off piste' you can play around with some of the ingredients.
instead of using Vodka, try using tequila or if the Horseradish sauce puts you off, try crumbling half a beef OXO cube into the mix.

Have a wonderful Christmas! Enjoy! x