Recipe developed & contributed by Maureen Gualtieri
The Bloody Mary is a classic cocktail that has seen plenty of variations over the years. (Canadian-developed Caesar, anyone?) Add one more to that list with this twist, brought to you by DFC’s Carolina-style Subtly Sweet & Tangy Not Just BBQ Sauce! The sauce’s mustardy sweetness is a standout in both the drink itself, and on the rim of its glass – making for a layered, deeply flavourful cocktail experience.
Beyond the ratio of vodka to vegetable juice, all the other ingredients are really to taste, so feel free to experiment. A non-alcoholic version omits the vodka, but benefits from a dash of apple cider vinegar; a vegetarian drink subs soy sauce in for Worcestershire; and for a springtime Bloody “Scapey,” replace the Carolina Sauce with an equal quantity of our limited-edition Garlic Scape Relish.
And as far as garnish goes, a celery stalk is de rigeur, but other than that, go ahead and throw in one of those trendy gastropub sliders, or curried shrimp, or mini grilled cheese – I believe if it fits on a skewer, it belongs in your glass!
Bloody Carolina
(Yield: 1 drink)
Ingredients:
For glass rim:
DFC’s Subtly Sweet & Tangy Not Just BBQ Sauce
Celery salt
For drink:
6 oz low sodium vegetable juice (like V8 or Garden Cocktail)
1.5 oz vodka
Squeeze of lemon juice
2 dashes Tabasco or other vinegar-based hot sauce
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch smoked paprika
1 pinch celery salt
1 generous pinch freshly cracked black pepper
1 tsp DFC’s Subtly Sweet & Tangy Not Just BBQ Sauce
Ice cubes
For garnish:
Celery stalk, green olives, mini chili peppers, cornichons, lemon wedge… parsley sprig, asparagus spear, zucchini slice, crisp bacon rasher, pepperette, breadstick, etc.
Mixing this drink is straightforward, with no fancy barware required. All you’ll need is a highball (tall) glass and a spoon.
Grab two small salad plates, and spread about a tablespoon of DFC’s Carolina-style sauce on one, and sprinkle 2 or 3 tablespoons of celery salt on the other. Flip your glass over and place it rim-down in the Carolina sauce, and move it around a bit until the rim is well-coated. Then transfer it to the celery salt plate, rim down, and repeat the motion until celery salt has stuck to all of the Carolina sauce. Then place your glass, rim up, on your work surface and fill with ice cubes.
Measure out your vodka and your vegetable juice, and pour both over the ice in the glass. Squeeze in the lemon juice, and add the Tabasco, Worcestershire, and all spices. Drop in the teaspoon of Carolina sauce, and stir vigorously until the dense Carolina sauce is completely dispersed, and the drink is chilled.
Add your garnishes to the top of the glass – small items can be threaded on a party pick or skewer so they don’t get lost. Serve and enjoy immediately, making sure to get a bit of the rim seasoning with each sip!
