Brunch & Bloody Marys

I never liked Bloody Marys. The funny things is, I never actually tried one. But the name alone and the celery garnish was enough of a turn off for me to make it this far in life without ordering one at brunch. That all changed last week when a few Bloody Mary recipes turned up in my inbox from Grey Goose.

At first, I let them sit there - not having the heart to tell the person who sent them that I actually didn't like Bloody Marys (her words: "I literally craved one for dinner on Tuesday."). Tempting, but I was still not convinced.

Then my best friend Dayna came up for a visit and we found ourselves at brunch at Edward's last Saturday. The thought of sipping a mimosa turned my stomach, and having a beer just didn't seem right, so I thought, why not? I ordered a Bloody Mary.

Not sure what their secret recipe is, but I was hooked (maybe its because there was no crunchy celery stick in my cocktail - I hate crunch - and the fact that it only cost $5). I liked it so much, I ordered one the next day at breakfast at the Kitchenette - not as good as Edward's (there was a celery stick sighting), but it did the trick.

Now for one of those Grey Goose recipes I was talking about. Stay tuned for more this fall.

Grey Goose Mediterranean Mary
MIX
3 heaping Tbsp. of pre-made olive tapenade
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1.2 tsp. dried basil
1 heaping tsp. celery salt
1 heaping tsp. fresh ground black pepper
32 oz. tomato juice
5 tsp. hot sauce
2 oz. fresh lemon juice
2 oz. fresh lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher with a tight-fitting lid. Close the pitcher and shake vigorously. Prepare up to four days in advance.

COCKTAIL
1 1/2 parts Grey Goose vodka or Grey Goose Le Citron
1 part dry sherry
3 parts Mediterranean Mary Mix
2 Tbsp. coarse salt and lemon wedge for rimming

Rub the juice side of a lemon on the outer-edge of a tall glass then roll the glass lip in coarse salt. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into prepared glass and present with a cucumber spear and olive.