Vintage Mary

🕒 Prep: 5 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 1
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Meet the Vintage Mary: a classic cocktail with a timeless twist, perfect for those days when you crave a savory sip with a bit of a kick. It's the drink that adds a touch of elegance to any brunch or evening gathering, effortlessly elevating your cocktail game.

Ingredients for Vintage Mary

Vodka: The clear, neutral spirit that forms the base of our cocktail, allowing the other flavors to shine through. Choose a good quality vodka for the best results.

Tomato juice: Adds body and a refreshing tang. It’s the heart of the drink, providing that signature Bloody Mary flavor.

Lemon juice: Brightens up the drink with a citrusy zing—freshly squeezed is best if you can swing it.

Worcestershire sauce: This is your umami bomb, adding depth and complexity with its salty, savory notes.

Tabasco sauce: For a little fiery kick! Adjust to taste depending on how spicy you like your drinks.

Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning, enhancing all the other flavors in the glass.

Celery salt: Used to rim the glass, it adds an aromatic touch that complements the drink beautifully.

Celery stalk and lemon wedge: Classic garnishes that not only look great but also contribute a subtle aroma.

Tips & Tricks

  • Chill your tomato juice ahead of time for an extra refreshing cocktail.
  • Adjust the Tabasco sauce to your liking—more if you love spice, less if you prefer a milder drink.
  • If you don’t have celery salt, a mix of salt and finely ground celery seed works in a pinch.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your Vintage Mary with an array of charcuterie and cheeses for a delightful appetizer spread. The drink also complements breakfast staples like eggs and bacon, making it a perfect brunch companion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this drink ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the ingredients a few hours in advance, but wait to rim the glass and add ice until just before serving to keep it fresh.
What if I don’t have a cocktail shaker?
You can use a large jar with a tight-fitting lid as a substitute. Just be careful when shaking!
Can I use another spirit instead of vodka?
Absolutely! Gin can add a nice herbal twist, or try tequila for a Bloody Maria.

Vintage Mary Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preparing your glass. Take a lemon wedge and rub it around the rim of your glass, creating a sticky surface that will hold the celery salt. On a small plate, pour some celery salt and dip the lemon-rubbed rim into it, twisting to ensure an even coating.

Next, grab your cocktail shaker and fill it with ice cubes. This is crucial for chilling the drink without diluting it too much. Pour in the vodka, followed by the tomato juice. Add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Seal the shaker and give it a gentle shake. You want to mix everything evenly, but not so vigorously that it breaks down the ice too much. This way, your drink stays cold and flavorful.

Strain the mixture into your prepared glass over fresh ice. This keeps the drink crisp and avoids any watered-down flavors.

Finally, garnish your Vintage Mary with a celery stalk and a lemon wedge. These classic touches not only look appealing but also add to the sensory experience with their fresh, crisp aroma.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect balance of spicy, savory, and tangy flavors.
  • Quick and simple to make, yet feels sophisticated.
  • Ideal for brunch or as a pre-dinner delight.
  • Customizable to suit your spice preference.

Ingredients

2 oz vodka
4 oz tomato juice
0.5 oz lemon juice
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes Tabasco sauce
Pinch of salt
Pinch of black pepper
Celery salt (for rim)
1 celery stalk (for garnish)
1 lemon wedge (for garnish)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Rim the glass with celery salt by rubbing a lemon wedge around the rim and dipping it into a plate of celery salt.
2. Fill a shaker with ice cubes and add vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt, and black pepper.
3. Shake gently to mix the ingredients without watering down the drink.
4. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lemon wedge before serving.

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