Take the Edge Off With a Bloody Mary

Luis Martinez of The Patio (McAllen, TX) displays his trophy for creating the ABSOLUT Best Bloody in America.

It’s about this time of year, between all the holiday parties and New Years festivities, that the phrase Hair of the Dog never rings more true (well, unless you happen to be in New Orleans in July when a bunch of other bartenders are in town – but that’s a whole different beast!).

The Bloody Mary cocktail has certainly cemented its place at the top of the list of Hair of the Dog libations. But what makes for the best version of this tipple with so many variants and taste preferences?

ABSOLUT VODKA and Thrillist.com recently culminated this search through the National Online ABSOLUT Best Bloody in America Recipe Contest. At the program’s inception, 50 bartenders from 50 states were narrowed to a round of finalists where, in a November live finale, Luis Martinez of The Patio in McAllen, TX earned the crown for the ABSOLUT Best Bloody in America.

Want to give Martinez’s recipe, ABSOLUT Akita Maria, a try? Below is the recipe. Just make sure to have the ingredients on hand before deciding you want to make this drink at home! 😉

ABSOLUT Akita Maria: (created by Luis Martinez, The Patio, McAllen, TX)

Judging the nine ABSOLUT Bloody Mary finalists at a live NYC finale were Julie Reiner, Dale DeGroff, Ben Robinson and Allen Katz.

• 2 parts ABSOLUT VODKA
• 4 parts tomato juice
• ½ part lime juice
• 1 part fresh orange juice
• 1 small minced basil leaf
• 1 pinch onion powder
• 1 pinch garlic powder
• 1 pinch black pepper
• ½ part teriyaki sauce
• ½ part soy sauce
• Fingertip-size wasabi paste patty
• 1 dash sriracha spicy red chili sauce
• 3 pinches shaved ginger root

Mix all ingredients with the exception of ABSOLUT VODKA, tomato juice and lime juice in a shaker tin and lightly muddle them together. In a highball glass rimmed with sea salt, add ABSOLUT VODKA over ice. Add the muddled ingredients and top with tomato juice and lime juice. Garnish with spicy pickled asparagus.

Cheers!
SJ