Hair of the Dog: Bloody Mary's

Since we spent New Year's Eve safely right here at home (no driving), I had a bit too much sparkling wine last night. So I've decided to try that oldest of remedies and have a Bloody Mary to start the New Year. It should go well with our Eggs Benedict.

Mine's a simple concoction.

6 ounces V-8 Spicy Hot vegetable juice

2 ounces vodka

Dash of Worcestershire sauce

Pinch of garlic pepper

Pinch of celery salt

Stir together and pour over ice. You can adjust seasonings to your taste and throw a drop or two of Tabasco in if you want more kick.

Here's a more ambitious recipe I've run across that I'd like to try sometime.

Gazpacho Bloody Marys

Makes 8 cocktails.

2-28 ounce cans Italian tomatoes (like San Marzano) with juice

2 cups cucumber, peeled and chopped (about one large cucumber)

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves

4 teaspoons prepared horseradish

4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons celery salt

12 dashes of hot pepper sauce

Ice cubes

2 cups vodka

1 cucumber, halved crosswise, then quartered lengthwise

Working in batches, puree first 8 ingredients in blender until smooth. Transfer Bloody Mary mix to large pitcher and season with pepper. Chill for at least one hour.

To make one cocktail, pour 1/4 cup vodka into ice-filled highball glass. Top with Bloody Mary mix and garnish with cucumber spear.