Bloody Marys

I have an obsession with Bloody Marys. I love tomato juice any way I can get it. This vodka-based cocktail fits in great during the Halloween season due to its bloody color and ghoulish name but is also a staple at brunch.

My favorite recipe is spicy tomato juice based. In a tall rocks glass, add 1.5 oz. Grey Goose vodka over ice cubes. To the liquor, add 1/2 teaspoon prepared horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and fill just below the rim with the spicy tomato juice. Shake in a cocktail shaker, pour back in the rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge and blue cheese-stuffed olives and enjoy.

When I host brunch, I always set up a Bloody Mary bar. I set out Grey Goose, Absolut and Smirnoff vodkas and a selection of plain tomato juice, Clamato juice and spicy tomato juice in carafes. A collection of cute little containers hold Worcestershire sauce , Tabasco sauce, olive juice and lime juice. Bowls of lime wedges, plain olives, blue cheese-stuffed olives, pepperoni slices and a glass of celery stalks with the greens gives your guests a wide array of garnish selections.

I also set out a few small plates; one with seasalt and cracked black pepper, one with Old Bay Seasoning, and one with lime juice to rim the rocks glass. When I am really feeling like going over the top, I also do a bowl of spicy cooked shrimp with the tails on. Glasses of bamboo skewers and straws let everyone pick just what they want with their cocktail. Mine usually looks like a first course appetizer by the time I'm finished!