how bloody

Bloody Maria

1 oz. Tequila
2 oz. Tomato juice
1 dash lemon juice
1 dash Tabasco sauce
1 dash Celery salt

Shake all ingredients with cracked ice. Strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Add a slice of lemon.

- from the Mr. Boston Official Bartender's and Party Guide (Time Warner 1997 re-issue)

It's Friday, if that means anything to anyone. Okay, I didn't have any Tabasco sauce or celery salt in the house so just used a bit of crushed cayenne peppers and table salt. I do have lemons but I used lime juice instead because I prefer the sharper sourness, particularly to balance out the tequila. I pre-chilled the rocks glass (sorry, don't have any old-fashioned glass) and instead of straining it into the glass I just poured everything in. I used a cucumber and lime wedge to garnish, then took the picture.

How is it, you ask? It's pretty good.....and quite different from the Bloody Mary (which of course is made with vodka and a dash of Worcestershire sauce), if you want variety. This version of Mary definitely has a bite, thanks to the tequila (I used golden), and the cucumber actually works well with it. Cheers!