Garlicky Bloody Marys

Garlicky Bloody Marys

While this fresh-from-the-farm Bloody Mary may not have the bright red color we’re used to, what it’s lacking in color it more than makes up for in flavor.

Fresh tomatoes and garden produce provide this drink with a crisp, refreshing flavor that’s amped up a notch with the addition of Hot Hatch Chile Garlic Salt and smoked garlic. Use as much garlic as you like here. True to form, we use a lot. #MoreIsMore

We love using this as a happy hour mixer or a delicious mocktail. It also makes a mean gazpacho!

Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS |

• 2 pounds ripe red tomatoes

• 2 small burpless cucumbers (approximately 2/3 pound)

• 1 sweet banana pepper

• 1/2 cup chopped lovage, plus more for garnishing the glasses

• 4-6 cloves smoked garlic, peeled

• 1 lemon, divided

• freshly ground black pepper (be liberal here)

• 1 teaspoon Hot Hatch Chile Garlic Salt plus more for rimming the glasses

• 1-2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (optional)

• 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Tapatio (optional)

• 1 cup vodka (optional)

• ice, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS |

1. Wash tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet banana pepper in a colander with water. Core and quarter tomatoes and place into a blender jar. Remove ends from cucumbers and roughly chop, then add to blender. Cut away stem end from pepper, roughly chop (no need to de-seed) and add to blender. Blitz on high until completely chopped and incorporated. A high speed blender is ideal for this but not absolutely necessary.

2. Strain tomato mixture through a sieve or layers of cheesecloth. This helps catch any pulp that may not have gotten completely blended and also removes some foam from the fresh tomato juice. This step isn’t 100% necessary, but we much prefer the finished texture when strained.

3. Rinse out the blender to remove tomato juice foam and pour strained tomato juice mixture back into it. Add chopped lovage, garlic cloves, juice from half the lemon (or more if you prefer - you only need to save one wedge to salt the glass rims in the next step), black pepper, Hot Hatch Chile Garlic Salt, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and vodka (if using). Blend again until thoroughly mixed and the lovage is finely chopped.

4. Pour a couple of tablespoons of Hot Hatch Chile Garlic Salt onto a small plate. Cut the remaining half a lemon into wedges and wipe the rims of 4 glasses with them. Coat the glass rims by dipping them into the salt.

5. Fill the 4 salted glasses carefully with ice so you don’t disturb the salt. Pour over Garlicky Bloody Mary mix and garnish with extra lovage sprigs if you like.

NOTES |

The Bloody Mary mixture can be made ahead and allowed to chill in the fridge if you like. Be sure to stir well before using. Stores for 2 days.