Let’s Talk about Mixology, Part 36

Bloody mary

by Amer A. Vargas

On this occasion, we return to classic cocktails to learn a bit more about one of the most famous cocktails worldwide: the Bloody Mary.

This cocktail uses a variety of ingredients and one can add others to offer a more personal and interesting twist.

The basic Bloody Mary requires: 4,5 cl (1,5 oz) of vodka, 9 cl (3 oz) of tomato juice, 1,5 cl (0,5 oz) of lemon juice, 3 dashes of Worcestershire or English sauce, 3 dashes of Tabasco sauce and a pinch of salt and black pepper.

The classic way to prepare this cocktail is in a mixer glass (rather than a cocktail shaker). Fill the mixer glass with ice cubes and add all the ingredients, stirring for a few seconds until condensation on the exterior of the glass confirms the whole mix is really cold.

Decorate the rim of a Collins glass by dipping it in lemon juice then placing it on coarse salt or salt flakes, mixed with some ground black pepper for a more appealing result. Then, fill ¾ of the glass with ice cubes and pour the mix.

This cocktail is commonly decorated with a celery stick, a cucumber or lime or lemon slice or even a cocktail shrimp or a pickle spear.

And for those particular personal twists we mentioned above, try adding freshly grated horseradish, some curry powder or even a little bit of wasabi…wow! Enjoy!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.