Bloody Mary Test Kitchen

This week has been what I like to call Bon Appetempt-lite. As ambitious as I want to be, I sometimes have to hold back and make a couple of Blood Marys, even when what I really want to do is make homemade kombucha. (This will still happen. It just has to wait until after Easter/Passover-related attempts have come and gone—the latest Martha Stewart Living is staring at me, goading me on, as I type.)

Bon Appetit's version:

Photograph by Mitchell Feinberg

our version:

Why don't those glasses have shadows, you may be wondering. Well, we actually took this picture in space so there wouldn't be any shadows. OK?

So let's embark on a Bloody Mary journey, shall we? Up first is Bon Appetit's curry-spiced version.

Bon Appetit's take on the Bloody Mary steers away from spicy heat-wise, which is usually how I like my Bloody Marys, in favor of curry spice. The rest of the ingredients are pretty standard. And while it made for a beautiful beverage, I ultimately wanted something spicier.

So we made a Bloody Mary. BFD, right? Well, we haven't gone totally lame on you guys. Remember when I said that Matt went wild at Surfas the other week when we bought that springform pan and cheese-making stuff? Well, we also bought these kind of crazy-expensive pickles, which funnily enough are featured in the Martha Stewart Living that keeps staring at me as I type this. (Martha, you must chill.)

But, how does this relate to this Bloody Mary post? Well, when you spend twelve dollars on pickles, you kind of need them to be more than just pickles, and lo and behold, these were. See, we accidentally got the spicy variety of McClure's pickles and after checking out their website, we discovered that the leftover brine can be used as a Bloody Mary mix. Simply fill the pickleless jar of the vinegary, pepper-laden brine with tomato juice, shake and enjoy.

I have to say, as tasty as the curry-spiced Mary was, the McClure one was one of the best I've ever had. You have to like a spicy Bloody Mary though. I mean, this drink is spiiicy, like I sort of felt like my stomach was going to die, but in a good way.

Curry-Spiced Bloody Mary via Bon Appetit:
(makes 8)

10 cups tomato juice (preferably organic)
1 2/3 cups vodka
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Madras curry powder
2 teaspoons (or more) fine sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Crushed ice
Celery sticks (for garnish)

Preparation
Combine first 6 ingredients in large pitcher. Whisk in 2 teaspoons sea salt and pepper. Season with more salt, if desired. Cover; chill. DO AHEAD Can be made 8 hours ahead. Keep chilled. Whisk before serving.

Fill tall glasses with ice. Pour in Bloody Mary mixture. Garnish with celery sticks.