don't show up empty handed

Here's an idea: Christmas dinner and NYE is covered, but what about the morning of or the morning after? Bring a jar of Bloody Mary's.  Seriously one of my favorite hostess gifts and hands down this recipe will make everyone's holiday morning a bit more festive.  Thanks to all the weak bloody mary's out there, this forced my husband to put together this gem, thanks J!  

A couple of notes:  the glassware is just as important as the recipe.  Some of my favorites are using a couple of old fashioned glasses or even juice glasses.   I have these ones from anthro and love the size of them when serving a group.  Salt for rimming can get creative.  You can mix kosher salt with a ghost pepper blend or some people love mixing with tajin.  Mix it up and have fun with the rim or just keep it simple with plain salt.  I usually use Hepp's ghost pepper blend, but I've been wanting to try this local brand salt farm.  For garnishes, keep it classic and don't overload your glass with veggies, the drink will speak for itself and someday I will master the tomato juice base, but for now I'll recommend the perfect store bought base that you just can't substitute.

Spicy Bloody Mary

makes one 16oz. bloody mary

juice from 1/2 lime, save the squeezed lime for rimming your glass

4 dashes of worcestershire sauce

10-15 dashes of tabasco depending on how spicy you want

heaping teaspoon of prepared horseradish **partial to Bubbi's brand

hefty pinch of salt and more for rimming your glass

crack of fresh ground pepper

small pinch of celery salt

splash of pickle juice

8 oz. Knudsen Spicy Veggie Mix

1.5 oz vodka

Options for garnishes: celery, carrot, pickled veggies, olives, pickles, pepperoncini.  I'm not a fan of bacon in a bloody.  Leave for your plate, not your glass.

Pile salt for rimming on a small side plate and spread out with desired blend or just leave plain.  Mix all ingredients in a measuring beaker or cocktail pitcher.  Rub squeezed lime around rim of chosen glass and rim your desired glass with prepared salt blend.  Fill glass with ice, stir up ingredients once more, pour into glasses and garnish simply.

THH tip:  If you're showing up with these spicy treats, take the time to plan their arrival.  Choose a nice bag or basket and pack your supplies.  Use old jars to transport mix or even a glass coffee pitcher like this one.  Pack your garnishes and salt ready to go and if you really want to pack the party, throw a stack of juice glasses in there so you don't have to bother the host to look for glassware they didn't plan for.  All of this should come together nicely and be a quick set up and much appreciated packed treat. 

Let me know how it goes ;)  xx, f