Turn this classic tomato-based cocktail into a new favorite by adding a new smoky experience to the mix. Perfect for evening barbecues or a brunch time pick me up, a smoked Bloody Mary starts with simple ingredients and a high-quality smoking set from Busy Bee. Originally consisting of only tomato juice and vodka, the decades since its creation have introduced more variations and unique possibilities to this drink.

Whether you go with the classic two-ingredient mix or spread out into new taste experiences, you will not soon forget one created using smoke. A smoked Bloody Mary is almost as easy to make it home as the traditional version.

Ingredients

Start with a basic Bloody Mary recipe, but feel free to expand the garnish options based on your unique tastes. Also, try out multiple woodchip types in the smoking step for a new experience every time.

• 2 ounces of Vodka
• 4-6 ounces of Tomato juice

After these basic ingredients, recipes for a Bloody Mary varies depending on personal taste. Some of the options include:

• Lemon or lime wedge
• Tabasco or other hot sauce
• Finely ground horseradish
• Worcestershire sauce
• Celery salt
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper

Garnish options also differ widely although a stalk of celery is standard.

• Celery stalk
• Cooked smoked bacon strip
• Cherry tomatoes
• Lemon slice
• Green olives

When constructing your Bloody Mary, do not add everything from these ingredient lists. Experiment with different options every time you grab a glass. For example, mix using the horseradish into the tomato juice and garnish with celery and a lemon wedge. Another day, go for the full smoky experience with a bacon strip, smoked paprika, and a parsley sprig as a garnish. To expand the flavor experience, rim the tall glass with lemon or lime juice and roll it in celery salt before adding everything else.

Smoking Techniques for a New Bloody Mary

Once you have perfected your personal favorite combination of hot sauce, seasoning, and garnish, the time has come to choose your smoky flavor. Choose your favorite aromatic wood chip variety, and carefully read the instructions in the Busy Bee smoking set.

There are multiple ways to add the flavor of smoke to this cocktail. After constructing the drink but before adding garnishes, lay the stainless steel mesh smoking screen and smoker with wood chips over the top of the glass. Heat things up with the luxury butane torch until the top of the glass fills with swirling smoke. This will flavor not only the liquid itself but the rim of the glass in a way that will impart flavor to every sip. Add the garnish at the end and serve promptly.

Other options include smoking the glass before pouring in the vodka and tomato juice mixture. You can also create smoked salt or other seasonings by using the same technique in a dry glass with that ingredient inside. The addition of smoked paprika or a smoky strip of bacon accentuates the entire experience deliciously.