The Intoxicologist

Bloody Mary Vodka Infusion

For the vodka infusion you will need a lidded jar large enough to hold the following contents:

1 Bottle of Tito’s Vodka

1 Fresh Red Bell Pepper (seeded and sliced)

1 Fresh Jalapeño Pepper (seeded and sliced)

Whole Peeled Garlic Cloves (approximately 5 per liter of vodka)

Whole Black Peppercorns (1-2 per liter of vodka)

Funnel and cheesecloth for later use

Place all ingredients in the jar. Seal and place in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours. Ingredients may be left longer if desired, but this is not necessary. I recommend keeping the original liquor bottle to return the infused vodka to later. After 48 hours, remove the infusion from the refrigerator. Double up cheesecloth over the funnel and place funnel inside the Tito’s vodka bottle. Strain infusion into the original bottle, throwing out the peppers, garlic and remnants. Place infused vodka in the refrigerator or freezer for storage. Do not keep infused vodka at room temperature as it may mold.

Bloody Mary Recipe

2 ounces Tito’s Bloody Mary Infused Vodka

1/2 Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice

6-8 Dashes Worcestershire Sauce

4-6 Dashes Tabasco Sauce

2-3 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

3 Dashes Celery Salt

2 Dashes White Pepper

2 Dashes Garlic Powder

2 Dashes Onion Powder

Clamato Juice

Coarse salt for rimming

Begin with a large Collins glass. Slide half of the fresh lime around the rim of the Collins glass. Dip the limed rim into a saucer of coarse salt. Fill the glass two-thirds full  with ice. Season the ice with the peppers, salts and powders first, the Worcestershire, Tabasco and Peychaud’s next, and then the squeeze of lime. Shake the bottle of infused vodka before using as lingering pepper has a tendency to settle at the bottom. Lastly, top off your drink with Clamato juice. Clamato is thinner in consistency than either tomato or V8, making for a smoother textured drink.

Garnishing is key to the Bloody Mary and there is so much more than the mere celery stick. I like to use a skewer of queen sized jalapeño stuffed olives in addition to the celery stick to stir with. A pickle spear works quite nicely as well. A few cocktail shrimps speared and dunked go rather nicely with this drink. Go wild! The Bloody Mary is not just a drink. It is an event, a meal even. If you can find a spicy coarse salt for the rim garnish that would give this drink extra  kick.