A Bloody Lot of BLOODY MARYS!

   Well, whaddya know, January 1st - New Year's Day - is also National Bloody Mary Day. Convenient since more Bloodies are probably consumed today than any other day of the year. Maybe because it's also National Hangover Day.  

What makes up a Bloody Mary? 

The I.B.A. (International Bartenders Association) recipe calls for 3 parts vodka, 6 parts tomato juice and 1 part lemon juice served over ice. Traditionally the standard garnish is a celery stalk and a slice of lime with typical flavor additions of Worcestershire Sauce, celery salt, Tabasco Sauce, salt and pepper. Raw eggs have been known to be involved as well.   That's how it all started, BUT in today's world of Bloodies the tradition has been toyed with, big time. You're going to need to sit down for this. There are:   Canadian Bloodies also known as Bloody Caesars (Clamato for the tomato juice) Japanese Bloodies aka Bloody Geishas (sake instead of vodka) Bloody Marias (tequila instead of vodka) Beer Bloodies (Micheladas and Red Eyes) Bloody Bulls (a Bullshot* with half the bouillon replaced with tomato juice) Bloody Eights (V-8 instead of tomato juice) Bloody Fairies (absinthe instead of vodka) Red Snappers (gin instead of vodka) Brown Marys aka Bloody Scotsman (whisky instead of vodka) AND, me hearties, there is even a rum Bloody known as a Bloody Pirate! There is also a virgin (non-alcoholic) version called the Bloodless Mary, a Frozen Mary (blended with ice) and countless proprietary recipes!   Whew! Are you still with me?  Then hang tight and let's take a look see at how far our favorite hangover remedy has strayed from there . . .  

  Who invented the Bloody Mary?  Who really knows? Claims range from Fernand Petiot (who is said to have created it in 1921 while working at The New York Bar in Paris, later known as Harry's New York Bar) to The Hemingway Bar at The Ritz in Paris to either bartender Henry Zbikiewicz or comedian George Jessel at The 21 Club in New York. Petiot himself said Jessel, but with this caveat, "I initiated the Bloody Mary of today. Jessel said he created it, but it was really nothing but vodka and tomato juice when I took it over." As for why it's called a Bloody Mary, let's just say because of Queen Mary (the First) or Mary Pickford or Vladimir Smirnov and leave it at that.   Dazed and confused yet?  You need a Bloody, don't you? Well, Ladies and Germs, after that little history lesson, here are the multitude of recipe riffs I have played on our Bloody lady:  

BLT MARTINI

BLOOD & GUTS MARTINI BLOODY MARTINI CAPRESE MARTINI CHEESY DOODLETINI DIRTY BLOODY MARY DRACULA'S BLOODY MARTINI FIRE & BLOODY MARY GARDEN IN A GLASS GATES OF HELL GAZPACHO MARTINI GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST  HEIRLOOM TOMATO MARTINI HOT MAMA MARTINI KITCHEN SINK MARTINI LOADED RED EYE (Beer Bloody Mary) PICKLED BLOODY MARY SAMCRO BLOODY BOILERMAKER (My Sons of Anarchy version of a Biker Bloody Maria) And, yes, even an EDIBLE BLOODY MARY.   You've been very good with your history homework. Go have a Bloody.  

  HAPPY BLOODY MARY DAY, HAPPY HANGOVER DAY and HAPPY NEW YEAR! *Bull Shot: A cocktail made with vodka and beef bouillon.   Updated 1-2019 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY  

How to Make Martinis in a Batch for a Martini Party

Image ©2010 by PopArtDiva.com. All Rights Reserved.

How to Make Martinis in a Batch for a Martini Party

I've had many of you ask me how you can make enough martinis for a large group or a party. Making multiple drinks at once is called batching and it's the best way to prepare for a cocktail party. Making my Designer Martinis is a little more than tossing some alcohol and mixer in a glass or pitcher but you can batch most martini recipes just like any other cocktail with a little bit of planning!

SO SET 'EM UP JOE, I got a little prep work I want you to know.

My Designer Martinis are a unique breed of cocktail - half the fun comes in the use of the shaker, martini or cocktail pick and, most importantly, the martini glass. Be prepared and have several martini shakers and martini picks on hand and enough martini glasses for your guests. Also have a good supply of ice cubes (not crushed ice!) Presentation and fun is as much a part of a martini as the ingredients. Without the proper glass, rimming, garnishes and flair of the shaker it's just another boring cocktail!

You can find really nice, reasonably priced cocktail shakers almost everywhere now so buy several, rinsing them out between each martini. Glass or stainless steel shakers are always preferable for martinis because plastic can absorb flavors from previous martinis over time, plastic doesn't conduct the cold as well either.

Use real glass glasses! Plastic martini glasses are more practical but they simply don't have the same class as glass. You'll also find that plastic martini glasses are more difficult to rim! A true Martini Master will provide a fresh glass and martini pick with each new cocktail so have 2 to 3 of each available per guest.

Martini picks - if the recipe calls for you to skewer your garnish - can be wooden or plastic and those come in packages of 20, 50 and 100.

If you don't have the cash or courage to use multiple shakers and martini glasses then go ahead and use plastic glasses and pour your drink out of a pitcher BUT call it a cocktail party - it's not a Martini party! Yes, you can still use my martini recipes, after all a martini is a cocktail too! Remember, Martinis are the Happy Hour symbol of style and elegance - take that away and it's not a Martini anymore!

It's not just a cocktail, darling. It's a MARTINI!

Many of my martini recipes call for special touches like a rimmed glass, unique garnishes and special ingredients which can also be "batched" - or prepped - ahead of time. If you have everything already sliced and diced, rimmed and ready, then you'll be the host or hostess with the mostest - organized, calm, cool and very much the martini master!

INGREDIENTS: Obviously you want to make sure you have enough of the ingredients on hand. Check the recipes and assume two drinks per guest then take the time to multiply the recipe ingredients for this amount. If my recipe states "parts" as opposed to ounces simply count each "part" as an ounce. It's always wise to have more of each ingredient on hand than you need, sometimes extra guests show up, sometimes spillage occurs and sometimes people just drink more than one or two cocktails. I also recommend that you have a non-alcoholic version of the martini recipe available.

GARNISHES: If your recipe calls for fruit, olives or veggie garnishes then prep (pre-slice, freeze, etc) enough for at least 2 to 3 cocktails per person, place these in a nice bowl or container and keep refrigerated. Other garnishes like candy, etcetera can be put in another container and covered but not refrigerated. You can then spear the garnish, attach it to the rim or drop it in at the time you serve the martini.

RIMMING: If the martini recipe you choose calls for rimming the glass then do this ahead of time if you want. Then either place all the glasses in your freezer (wow, you must have a big freezer!), or chill each glass at the "bar" as you serve them using the directions below. (Yes, you can rim a plastic glass but the plastic rims are often too thin or thicker than glass and you'll find they don't rim as well.)

CHILLING YOUR GLASSES: If your recipe calls for a rimmed glass it's always easier to rim the glass first but you can quickly chill all martini glasses by placing them in the freezer until it's time to pour the martini and serve. If you have a small freezer area, you can chill a few at a time in the freezer and rotate as you use them. If you can't do this you can use the bartender trick of chilling your glass with ice cubes. Keep in mind that at a party you will have already pre-mixed your main martini ingredients and prepped garnishes so this method doesn't effectively chill the glass unless you line up several glasses and fill them with ice a few minutes ahead of time, then set them aside until you need them.

If your glass has been rimmed ahead of time you have to be a bit more careful with this method so the ice won't wet or damage your rimmer. Have your fresh ice nearby in an ice bucket and, if you don't have a wet bar with a sink, have an empty container to toss the used ice into when you're ready to pour the martini. Please don't reuse this ice in your shaker - tacky, tacky, tacky!

One for My Baby and NOT One For The Road - Mixing the Martinis

NON DAIRY MARTINIS: For martinis that don't use cream, milk or half & half in their recipes you can simply multiply the single martini recipe by 2 to 2.5 times the number of guests you will be having. Pour this into large GLASS pitchers, cover and refrigerate. Then when you're ready to start making a martinis put your pitcher on your bar area in a bucket/bowl of ice to keep it chilled. When your guest comes up for a martini, pour about 1/2 - 2/3 cup (depending on the size of your martini glasses) into a chilled martini shaker with your nice, filtered ice cubes and shake until the shaker frosts over, then pour into your chilled martini glass, garnish and serve!

DAIRY MARTINIS: If your recipe does have cream or milk in it then you will have to measure this per drink. Sorry, but dairy products and alcohol just don't batch well. Be sure to keep your milk or cream chilled - place it in a glass pitcher and in a bucket/bowl of ice. You can mix up your other ingredients in a batch, calculate their portion of the martini to the cream then add the cream's portion to the shaker along with your batched mix and proceed to shake, garnish and serve.

"MUDDLED" MARTINIS: Some of my favorite martini recipes call for "muddling" certain ingredients in the shaker before adding the alcohol and mixers. Muddling is simply a process of smashing certain elements of your martini together - usually an herb leaf or fruit, sugar and or lemon or lime. You can batch this too! Again, you have to multiply the ingredients for your guest numbers. Then I suggest you figure out how much these elements constitute in proportion to one martini - it's usually in teaspoon to tablespoon ranges. You can then pre-muddle (is that a word?) these ingredients, keep them chilled (glass bowl in ice) and then measure this into the martini shaker before the ice, shake quickly, add your other martini elements then shake again until your martini is chilled.

So, Here's To Your Cheer, I Hope You Didn't Mind My Bendin' Your Ear

You're now organized and Martini-ized and ready to enjoy your own Designer Martini Party. You can choose two or three different of my martini recipes if you'd like. To make it fun you could decorate 2 or 3 separate areas of your bar to match each martini flavor! Toss some chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles on top of a chocolate brown scarf and set your shakers, glasses & ingredients around in matching containers. Lemon and yellow for Lemon Drop Martinis, grape tomatoes and red for tomato based martinis, etcetera. Print out my martini recipe card for each martini you serve and set it up in that area - heck, print up a pile of them and use them as invitations for the party! Have a little fun with it - that's what my Designer Martinis are all about!

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY & DRIVE RESPONSIBLY
Updated 8-2016

PIZZA COCKTAIL RECIPES

I was challenged to do a Pizza Cocktail, so, yes, I had to go there. In fact, I went there three times and did a White Pizza Cocktail, a Red Pizza Cocktail and then a Margherita Pizza Margarita.

Before you cringe, think of them as Bloody Marys with Italian or Spanish accents.
For the Red and White Pizza Cocktails I started with the flavors of my favorite pizza, a Margherita Pizza, using basil, tomato and mozzarella, then added a little truffle salt for some extra punch. My garnish was a lime slice, a few mozzarella balls, a couple of grape tomatoes and basil leaf. Just for fun I added a pepperoni stick.
The white "sauce" version is made with tomato water instead of tomato juice. Tomato water is almost the pure essence of the flavor of the tomato. I simply blended my tomatoes then strained them for 24 hours through coffee filters to get the clear tomato water. It may not look like it tastes like tomato, but it definitely does.
For the red "sauce" version, I used half organic tomato juice and half tomato water, then did exactly the same ingredients and procedures as the white pizza cocktail.

WHITE PIZZA MARTINI
INGREDIENTS: 2 Oz. Tomato Water 1-1/2 Oz. Vodka 1/2 Oz. Lime Juice Pinch Truffle Salt 4 Fresh Basil Leaves Ice
Garnish: 3 mozzarella balls, 1 basil leaf, 2 grape tomatoes, pepperoni stick, lime slice
Tools: Cocktail shaker, muddler
Glass: Cocktail
DIRECTIONS: Add the lime juice and the basil leaves to the cocktail shaker and muddle gently to release the juices and the basil oils. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice then add the vodka, the tomato water and the truffle salt then shake until well chilled. Strain into your cocktail glass, garnish and serve.

RED PIZZA COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS: 1 Oz. Tomato Water 1 Oz. Organic Tomato Juice 1-1/2 Oz. Vodka 1/2 Oz. Lime Juice Pinch Truffle Salt 4 Fresh Basil Leaves Ice
Garnish: 3 mozzarella balls, 1 basil leaf, 2 grape tomatoes, pepperoni stick, lime slice
Tools: Cocktail shaker, muddler
Glass: Cocktail
DIRECTIONS: Add the lime juice and the basil leaves to the cocktail shaker and muddle gently to release the juices and the basil oils. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice then add the vodka, the tomato water, the tomato juice and the truffle salt then shake until well chilled. Strain into your cocktail glass, garnish and serve.

For the Margarita version I did a pizza flavored take on a traditional margarita and that recipe is here: MARGHERITA PIZZA MARGARITA

National Pizza day is February 9th,

National Cheese Pizza Day is September 5th, Pepperoni Pizza Day is September 20th and National Sausage Pizza Day is October 11th.
Updated 2-2019 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

TEQUILA COCKTAILS

My favorite way to enjoy tequila is in a margarita, usually with some kind of fruit and blended most of the time, but not always! I've been known to enjoy tequila in Old Fashioneds, Bloodies, Collins and even the occasional shot! Below are some my favorites.

TEQUILA
COCKTAILS

CHOCOLATE MARGARITA

So good it's dangerous.

PINK CADILLAC MARGARITA

Because it's just cool.

MARGHERITA PIZZA MARGARITA
Trust me, it's a great Tomato Margarita.

GRINNING SKULL
Day of the Dead & Grateful Dead Inspired Cocktail.

SOLAR ECLIPSE MARGARITA
Imagine a black moon ice ball melting in a bright sun orange margarita.

SAMCRO Bloody Boilermaker
A Sons Of Anarchy Inspired Cocktail.

LOADED CACTUS SLIDERITAS
Cactus Pear Margarita with Goodies.

RED, WHITE & BOOZESICLES
Raspberry Martini, Coconut Colada, Blueberry Margarita Popsicles.

HAN SOLO HAS A ROCKET IN HIS POCKET

SHOOTER

Yes, you read that right.

STONED TEQUILA SUNSET
A riff on that 70's classic, Tequila Sunset.

TEQUILA POMEGRANATE SMASH
Just what it sounds like, pomegranate seeds smashed into tequila.

PALOMA TEQUILA COCKTAIL
A fresh take on the classic grapefruit Mexican cooler.

TIJUANA JACKASS
My South of the Border take on a Moscow Mule.

HATCHCHILETA MARGARITA
Made with my Homemade Roasted Hatch Chile and Cilantro Infused Tequila Liquor

The DIE HARD MARTINI
Just what you think it is.

The OVER THE CLIFF MARTINI-RITA

I absolutely love this one for two reasons, Blackberries are great in margaritas and I love the recipe card I designed for it inspired by the movie, Thelma and Louise.

The CHERRY MARGARITA

I love cherries, I love margaritas.
Win/Win.

POMEGRANATE MARGARITA

A sweetheart of a margarita.

BLOOD ORANGE MARGARITA

The color and flavor of blood oranges makes this one a total babe of a cocktail.

BLUEBERRY MARGARITA-TINI

It's all about the blueberries!

SPICY WATERMELON MARGARITA

Refreshing with a spicy bite - a lovely sip in summer.

HOT WATERMELON MARGARITA
Not kidding. Hot.

STRAWBERRY BLUEBERRY MARGARITA
A perfect use of seasonal summer fruits.

THE MARGARITAVILLE MARTINI

A classic margarita for Jimmy Buffett Parrotheads - the recipe card has a cool Scarlett Macaw Parrot on it!

MONSTROUS RITA-TINI MARTINI
A Halloween themed, orange flavored martini with some spooky garnish.

LOADED CACTUS SLIDERITAS
A Cactus Pear Margarita Loaded with Mexi Sliders & Happy Hour Treats.

PEACH MARGARITA
Canned or fresh peaches, both work great!

BEER MARGARITAS
Because, you know, Beer! And Margaritas!

BLUE CRYSTAL MARGARITA
Concocted especially for Breaking Bad Addicts!

And for good measure, here's a few more
Seasonal or Themed Tequila Cocktails:
 TEQUILA TUESDAY MARTINI-RITA
BLUE MOON TEQUILA MARTINI
SIESTA TEQUILA MARTINI
EMERALD ISLE MARTINI
GRAVEYARD SUNRISE MARTINI
MONTROUS RITATINI
RED WHITE & BOOZESICLES

And last but not least how about
A LITTLE TEQUILA HISTORY?



TEQUILA is cheaper than therapy is available on art, decor, stationery, clothing, bar accessories, games and gifts.

Updated 8-2017

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HEIRLOOM TOMATO VODKA INFUSION RECIPE INFOGRAPHIC

HEIRLOOM TOMATO MARTINI

INGREDIENTS

2 Oz. Heirloom Tomato Vodka*
Juice of 1/2 Fresh Lime
3 Mini Heirloom Tomatoes
4 Fresh Basil Leaves
Pinch of Smoked Paprika
3 Tablespoons of Sugar
1Oz. Club Soda
Lime Twist

DIRECTIONS:
Mix the paprika and sugar together in a flat  plate.
Rim your martini glass with some lime juice, then dip in the sugar.
Chill your glass in the freezer.
Muddle the lime juice, 3 of the basil leaves and a teaspoon of the sugar & paprika mix in the bottom of your cocktail shaker.

Add one cup of ice then pour in the tomato vodka and shake until well chilled.
Add a splash of club soda, stir then strain through a mesh strainer into your chilled martini glass.

Garnish with the mini tomatoes, 1 basil leaf and a lime wedge.

Try out my other
BLOODY MARY RECIPES

Updated 9-2016

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CHEESY DOODLE-TINI for National Cheez Doodle Day

OH, YES, I DID!

The CHEESY DOODLE-TINI

for National Cheez Doodle Day

 Yes, that is a Cheez Doodle Martini - or to be more accurate that is a Cheetos Martini because you can't get Cheez Doodles out here in the wild, wild West.

And quit laughing because it was really good!!! Ok, so I didn't blend up a bunch of cheezy doodles and pour booze on them, but I did crush them up and put them on a mayonnaise rim of a lovely bacon vodka and tomato water cocktail!!

What's Tomato Water?

It's the water inside a tomato and it's lighter and cleaner than tomato juice with all the same tomato flavor.  You simply suck it out of the tomatoes by cutting them up and squeezing the water out of them!  I cut mine up, did a very rough blend in my Bullet blender than poured that into a metal strainer and squished until I got the water out!

Then you're ready to rumble with bacon vodka and Cheetos/Cheez Doodles!

 The
CHEESY DOODLE-TINI

INGREDIENTS:
1 Oz. Homemade Bacon Vodka
2 Oz. Heirloom Tomato Water
1 Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
Mediterranean Black Salt Flakes
Crushed Cheese Snacks & Mayonnaise Rim
Mini Heirloom Tomatoes

DIRECTIONS:
Dip your glass rim in some mayonnaise, then into the crushed doodles.
Chill the glass in the freezer while you make your cocktail.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then pour in the bacon vodka and the tomato water and shake until chilled.
Pour into your glass then garnish with the mini tomatoes, a few extra doodles sprinkle a few flakes of the black salt on the tomatoes and serve.

Ha! Bet you thought I wouldn't dare, didn't you??
What can I say? It was National Cheez Doodle Day, I had a bag of Cheetos!

Try out my other
BLOODY MARY RECIPES

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Updated 3-5-2025

The GARDEN IN A GLASS Vegetable Martini Cocktail

This cocktail is almost a small liquid salad (which doesn't require a fork!) Think of it as a lovely blend of all sorts of fresh veggies dressed in tomato vodka that you drink instead of eat.

The
GARDEN IN A GLASS
MARTINI

INGREDIENTS
1-1/2 Oz. Homemade Heirloom Tomato Vodka
3 Oz. V-8 Juice
2 Drops Scrappy's Celery Bitters
1 Dash of Cholula Chipotle Hot Sauce

Pinch of Garlic Salt

Garnish: Fresh Oregano and Basil,
Assortment of Veggie Garnishes

DIRECTIONS
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake until well chilled.
Pour into a chilled cocktail glass, sprinkle on some of the fresh herbs, garnish with some fresh veggies and serve.

If you're lucky enough to have a garden, make your own V-8 Juice as well as the tomato vodka!

It's a really fun, fresh and healthy martini that might even save you from having to serve up canapes.

VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

Cheers, M'Dears. To your health!

Updated 6-2021

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BLT Martini - A Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Inspired Cocktail

No, I'm not kidding - Would I steer you wrong?
It's a Tomato Vodka Bloody Mary garnished with BACON.
The BLT MARTINI
INGREDIENTS 2 Oz. Tomato Vodka 2 Oz. Bloody Mary Mix (Homemade preferable) 1 Tsp. Celery Salt 1 Tsp. Garlic Salt Ice
Garnish: Rim glass with kosher salt, add a bacon and cheese stuffed olive and a baby romaine lettuce leave.
DIRECTIONS Combine the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish and serve.   If you really want to amp up the bacon then replace the tomato vodka with bacon vodka!
I have the recipe for Bacon Infused Vodka here.

Click here to buy the

BLT Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Martini Recipe Card
Please Drink Responsibly Updated November 2016

BLOODY MARTINI - A Unique Bloody Mary Martini with Fangs!

Today I'm featuring the Bloody Martini - a "martini-ized" version of a Bloody Mary Cocktail. I tweaked the classic tomato - vodka cocktail a bit by using Clamato juice instead of tomato juice and left out the celery salt but feel free to tweak it right back if your prefer the classic version.

Need I say this is the perfect martini for all you Twilight and Lestat fans out there???

You can garnish this with the tomato wedge or try out a bit of spicy pepper, a celery stalk, a couple of pickled garlic cloves or mushrooms, or even a pickled yellow wax bean - another of Brad's tweaks!

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GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST MARTINI - Halloween Cocktail #25 of 31

The GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST MARTINI

Halloween Cocktail #25 of 31 Monstrously Marvelous Martinis 
from The Martini Diva

The Great Caesar's Ghost Martini is really a Bloody Caesar in disguise.  What, you ask, is a Bloody Caesar?  It's a Bloody Mary made with Clamato juice instead of tomato juice!

There are two versions of the origins of the Bloody Caesar with version one being my favorite because it centers around Tony Bennett who, according to the story, was due to go onstage at Caesar's in Las Vegas and was a tad bit worse the wear from a rough night. He asked the bartender to mix him something to perk him up and was ultimately served up a Bloody Mary that had been pepped up with clams and clam juice.

Version number two is less glamorous but most likely the closer to the truth of the two. In verstion two, bartender Walter Chell created the drink for the 1969 for the opening of the Marcos restaurant.  It became an instant hit in Canada and Mott's even came up with a juice inspired by the Bloody Caesar - Clamato!

So, now ya know.  I just think it was a perfect way to get to name a drink The Great Caesar's Ghost Martini.  And speaking of Caesar's ghost you can read more about that little bit of history on this martini's recipe page.

Get the GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST MARTINI RECIPE on a POSTCARD

to Save, Send or Share...they also make great Customizable Halloween Party Invitations!

Don't forget, All these Martinis PLUS paired Halloween Appetizers are featured in 
The Martini Diva's:

HALLOWEEN MARTINIS & MUNCHIES BOOK

ON SALE NOW AT AMAZON

(NOW also Available to Download as an E-Book!)

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HALLOWEEN MARTINIS - Hot & Spicy Tomato Martini

THE BLOOD & GUTS MARTINI has moved here.

If you like hot and spicy then the Blood & Guts Martini is right up your alley - using a tomato flavored vodka and V8 juice I've heated it up with a few drops of hot sauce and some chili powder and garnished it with a Jalapeno pepper!

This will add some smoke to your Halloween costume and will keep you nice and warm on a chilly All Hallows Eve, boy howdy will it, lol.

Updated 10-2017

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The Count's Bloodtini - HALLOWEEN MARTINI #7 is a Bloody Martini with a Transylvanian Twist

Here's a Bloody Mary martini for you vampire fans out there! If you like the nightlife better than the light of day, if you prefer you libation to be just a little "bloody" and full of life, you'll enjoy the Count's Bloodtini.
Made with either V-8 juice or tomato juice, this martini is a deep reddish orange with a garnish of red pepper to spice up your spooky celebration of Halloween. If you prefer your blood even more spicy try the Blood and Guts Halloween Martini - the preferred drink of Dracula fans with a taste for a more serious bite.

Updated 10-2017

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The KITCHEN SINK MARTINI

How to clean out your fridge and get a great cocktail from it.

What do you do when you have a bunch of different veggies and not enough of them to make dinner? You make a martini.

The
KITCHEN SINK
Martini

INGREDIENTS
2 Oz. Dill Pickle Vodka*
1 Oz. Celery Juice
1 Oz. Tomato Juice
Juice of 1/2 a Lime
1 Tbsp. Finely Chopped Bell Pepper
1/2 Tsp. Garlic Salt
3 Drops Cholula Chipotle Sauce

Garnish: Assorted veggies, olives, whatever vegetables you have in the fridge.

Tools: Blender, Cocktail Shaker, Strainer

Glass: Cocktail (Martini)

DIRECTIONS
Rim your glass with salt and pepper.
Chill your glass in the freezer.
Add the ingredients to a blender and pulse until smooth.
Transfer to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled.
Strain into the chilled glass, garnish and serve.

* MAKE YOUR OWN PICKLE VODKA

Yes, you do see "Dill Pickle Vodka" in the recipe.  There are or were several companies that made dill pickle vodkas but they are increasingly hard to find.

These days I make my own by simply infusing a bottle of decent vodka with almost the same ingredients I use to make pickles..I usually use sliced cucumbers, dill seed, garlic, peppercorns, mustard seed, celery seed and let that infuse for at least a week or longer. Taste and shake daily until you reach your preferred level of pickleness, strain well and bottle.

It really ia the perfect vodka to put a little extra zing in this cocktail - after all, the pickle had to be represented in a Kitchen Sink Martini, right?

November 15th is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.

Updated November  2017

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VODKA COCKTAILS, INFUSIONS, USES, FACTS & TRIVIA

Tell us, what forces you
to drink vodka every day?
- Nothing. I'm a volunteer.

Apologies right up front, but you're not getting a neat list of vodka cocktails today.

I have hundreds of cocktail recipes featuring vodka and flavored vodkas (so many in fact that I've lost count of how many, but there's one here for just about everyone from A to Z, Soup to Nuts), the lust would scroll for days!

INSTEAD, I suggest you use my search bar (upper right hand ↗️) for vodka plus whatever you want to use it with:

TYPE VODKA + WhateverYouWant IN MY SEARCH BAR

and every vodka recipe I've ever posted with those ingredients will come up.

That being said, I have to at least post

a few of my personal favorite

Classic

VODKA COCKTAILS

APPLE MARTINI

So sue me, I still love an Apple Martini!

BLOODY MARYS

Brunch doesn't happen without one.

CHOCOLATE MARTINI

Still the best.

COSMOPOLITAN

Done right it's superb.

ELDERFLOWER SALTY DOG

Like Spring in a glass.

ESPRESSO MARTINI

Perks happy hour up.

HARVEY WALLBANGER

I just love saying wallbanger ...

LEMON DROP

Still a delicious cocktail after half a century.

SCREWDRIVER

(Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Only)

SMOKY DIRTY MARTINI

O.M.Gawd!

VESPER

Good way to test a bartender.

WHITE RUSSIAN

The Dude is not wrong.

"Vodka is cheaper than therapy" on Fully Customizable Art & Gifts

POUR VODKA ON IT!

Check out the

31 REASONS WHY EVERYONE

SHOULD STOCK A BOTTLE OF VODKA

(Other than just for cocktails!)

POUR VODKA IN IT
You can also use vodka to make a variety of FLAVORED VODKAS,
like Bacon Vodka

Tomato Vodka
Chocolate Candy Cane Vodka
Candy Corn Vodka
Indian Candy Corn Vodka
as well as other liqueurs including:
Lemoncello (aka Limoncello)
Orangecello
Chocolate Liqueurs
Pumpkin Liqueur
Gingerbread Liqueur
Candied Pecan Liqueur
Blueberry Liqueur (and Vodka!)
Cranberry Liqueur
Coffee (Kahlua style) Liqueur
Caramel Liqueurs
Vanilla Bean Liqueur

SOME INTERESTING VODKA FACTS

The word "vodka" comes from the Russian word "Zhizennia voda" which means "water of life".

• One of the reasons vodka became popular in Russia was of its ability to remain liquid even in the coldest regions of northern Siberia.
• Drinking moderate amounts of vodka can help keep bad cholesterol levels down, keep arteries healthy and can aid in the prevention of stroke, heart attack, and Alzheimer's
• Vodka doesn't promote gluten formation, so it helps a pie crust stay flakier and more tender. (Vodka Pie Crust Recipe.)

I believe that if life gives you lemons,

you should make lemonade...

And try to find somebody

whose life has given them vodka,

and have a party

~ Ron White

Updated 10-2021PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

A PICKLED BLOODY MARTINI

Because I love Bloodys and pickled things.... and because I still had some lovely Naked Jay Dill Pickle Vodka ....
A PICKLED BLOODY MARTINI  Don't freak out at the Dill Pickle Vodka! If you like dill pickles it tastes just like them and it's great in this cocktail! 1-1/2 Oz. Dill Pickle Vodka
2 Oz. Tomato Juice
Splash of Dill Pickle Juice
Dash of Tabasco
Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
Juice of 1/4 Fresh Lime
Celery Salt
Black Pepper
Garnishes: 1 Jalapeno Pepper, 1 Midget Dill Pickle, Slice of Lime, 2 Cherry Tomatoes

Chill your martini glass in the freezer.  Slide the garnishes onto a cocktail pick and set aside.  Add a cup of ice cubes to your cocktail shaker then pour in the Dill Pickle Vodka, tomato juice, pickle juice, Tabasco, Worcestershire Sauce, Celery Salt and shake until nicely chilled. Pour into your chilled glass, shake the black pepper on top and place your loaded cocktail pick across the rim and serve.

VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

Enjoy. Don't get too pickled . . .
Try out my other BLOODY MARY RECIPES


PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLYUpdated 11-14-2025

Blood & Guts Halloween Martini

The
BLOOD & GUTS
MARTINI

Today's Spooky Sip is the Blood and Guts Martini - A vegetable juice and tomato vodka inspired concoction designed to give you a fiery tongue just in time for October 31st! This is a spicy martini that even has a bite on the rim courtesy of a rimming salt heated up with chili powder!

The blood, of course, comes from the color of the V-8 juice. The guts come in when you drink this hot sauce accented cocktail - and watch out for that jalapeno garnish!

 ALL MY HALLOWEEN MARTINIS

Updated 10-2017
Please Drink Responsibly
 

DIRTY Bloody Mary

Every body's heard of a Dirty Martini but how many of you have tried a Dirty Bloody Mary? It's one of my favorite ways to enjoy a Bloody and I really like enjoying Bloody Marys. I love how the olive brine cuts the sweetness you can sometimes experience with bottled tomato juices. Plus it gives me a great excuse to load up on the olive garnishes.    This is also a great way to drink some "hair of the dog" (Ah heck, it's Halloween. Let's call it hair of the werewolf!) to combat the toxic waste of overindulgence! Which is why this glass with the skull and crossbones is a perfect vessel. It also looks really nice with my bottle of Crystal Head Vodka which is a great quality vodka for a great drink! And it's a pretty cool look for a Halloween cocktail.    Below is my personal recipe for a DIRTY BLOODY MARY    2 Oz. Crystal Head Vodka 6 Oz. Tomato Juice 3 Drops Chipotle Hot Sauce 4 Drops Worcestershire Sauce 1/4 Tsp. Prepared Horseradish Sauce Juice of 1/4 Lime 1 Tbsp. Olive Juice 1 Tsp. Celery Powder 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder Cracked Black Pepper Sea Salt & Smoked Paprika for Rim Assorted Garnishes, like celery sticks, olives, pickled green beans
Mix together the sea salt and smoked paprika in a flat plate. Dip your glass rim in some tomato juice then into the sea salt and paprika mixture. Fill glass with ice balls then tap the drops of chipotle hot sauce on the ice. Add the Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, celery powder, garlic powder, olive juice, sea salt to your taste and black pepper then pour in the vodka and tomato juice. Stir until well mixed, squeeze in the lime juice and garnish with a good bunch of edible snacks.
Try out all my other BLOODY MARY RECIPES
Keep Calm and Drink A Dirty Bloody Mary!

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PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Updated 9-2016

GAZPACHO MARTINI COCKTAIL

This cocktail was inspired by leftovers from a Mexican dinner. I had homemade pico de gallo and after sitting for a day I noticed there was quite a bit of juice from the tomatoes and cucumbers in the bottom of the pico de gallo container. I suddenly wondered how that would taste as the mixer for a cocktail and, boom, this gazpacho martini was born.
The GAZPACHO MARTINI
INGREDIENTS 2 Oz. Tomato Vodka 1 Oz. Pico de Gallo "Juice"* 1/2 Oz. Fresh Lime Juice 5 Drops Chohula Lime Hot Sauce
GARNISHCilantro SprigLime Slice
DIRECTIONS * Make some homemade Pico de Gallo. After it sits for several hours or overnight there will be some lovely juices you can strain out. How much juice will determine how many cocktails you can make.Chill your glass.Add the ingredients to an ice filled cocktail shaker, shake until chilled then strain into your chilled glass.Garnish and serve.

VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

National Gazpacho Day is December 6th.

Updated 12-2021

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

MAD MEN COCKTAILS -Saying goodbye to Sterling Cooper & Company

"You don't know how to drink. Your whole generation, you drink for the wrong reasons. My generation, we drink because it's good, because it feels better than unbuttoning your collar, because we deserve it. We drink because it's what men do." - Roger Sterling

The era of the television show Mad Men was centered in the hey day of the three martini lunch and cocktail parties. Roughly spanning the time after World War II through the 60s, cocktails were a mainstay in America's business meetings and homes. Clients were plied with liquor, neighbors were made welcome with booze and conversations were well oiled with 80 proof refreshments.

Mad Men, which finished its final season in Spring 2015, was awash in alcohol from the beginning. Don and Roger and the whole Sterling Cooper Draper Bryce crew were the epitome of mid twentieth century ad men and women, talking shop and sipping from a high or lowball glass. Martinis, Old Fashioneds, Champagne, Bloodies, straight up, on the rocks and over the edge. Booze should have gotten a screen credit along with the whole cast because it played such an integral part in the show.

To celebrate the end of a supurb show and the hey day of that three martini lunch, here are some of my favorite versions of the classic cocktails of the Mad Men era:

Atomic Cocktail

Gin Martini

Old Fashioned

Brandy Alexander

Gibson

Gin Fizz

Grasshopper

Gimlet

Whiskey Sour

Sidecar

Manhattan

Pina Colada

Mai Tai

Zombie

A couple of others that deserve a mention here are the Tom Collins, a tall glass of collins mix and gin, the ubiquitous Screwdriver, a simple blend of orange juice and vodka and the ever elegant Champagne Cocktail, a simple glass of bubbly poured over an Angostura Bitters soaked sugar. cube.

We can't go without mentioning the hangover cocktail of Mad Men choice, the Bloody Mary, which takes a morning tomato juice and spruces it (& you) up with some vodka, Worchestershire sauce, Tabasco, seasonings and a stalk of celery.

I also have to mention another fifties favorite - because it was the first cocktail I ever heard of and was the drink of choice of my parents - the Seven and Seven, a mixture of Seagrams 7 Bourbon and 7-Up.

Roger Sterling: "They say once you start drinking alone, you're an alcoholic. I'm really trying to avoid that"

Don Draper: "So I guess I'm helping both of us"

   Updated 9-2021 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY