This is not your average brunch-time Bloody Mary recipe. Sure it has the classic combinations of flavors that make it the amazing cocktail that it is, but my version goes down even easier with the addition of salsa mixed in. It’s incredibly easy to make, has an amazing twist of flavors, and you look great as you sip the day away.
DISCLAIMER: This Bloody Mary recipe with Salsa is part of a recipe creation contest put on by the Desert Pepper Trading Company. They sent me out a few products to create new recipes for. This recipe is entered into the “Brunch” category of the competition.
The Bloody Mary is the quintessential brunch beverage. Not only is the cocktail a filling drink but it is also known as the hangover cure. It’s funny to think that after a night of drinking, you’d want more the next day, but the sodium in the drink can help restore electrolytes while the vegetable juice eases the nausea. What about the vodka? The vodka can help relieve the headache.
It’s also a great drink that is easy to customize which can really alter the flavors. There are a lot of premade mixes at the grocery store, but you can make a great mix from scratch that tastes so much better. There are classic combinations that use tomato juice, but my version here is different with the addition of the Desert Pepper Trading Company mild flavored Cantina salsa.
The salsa adds an extra depth of flavors that make this recipe shine. I know what you’re thinking: Salsa is an odd ingredient to include in a drink, but I was trying to come up with a unique way to use the popular dip that would be different. As I researched various brunch recipes, one I kept seeing on the drink menu was the Bloody Mary. So, why not?
Who is the Desert Pepper Trading Company?
I promise that you will love the Desert Pepper Cantina Mild Salsa. They use premium ingredients in this award-winning salsa, which is made in small batches in El Paso, Texas. The Desert Pepper Trading Company is a multi-generational family-owned business that was born and raised in the southwest. They know and understand the flavors of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico and for over 25 years, share in the flavors and traditions of the region.
To learn more about the Desert Pepper Trading Company:
- website: https://www.desertpepper.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertpeppertradingco
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertpeppertradingco
- You can also search using these hashtags: #desertpepperrecipechallenge #desertpeppertradingco #desertpeppersalsa
Where can you buy Desert Pepper brand products?
You can purchase Desert Pepper Trading Company products at Sprouts, Publix, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Shop Rite, Walmart, Giant Eagle, Market Basket, Jewel, and Meijer stores.
What Ingredients do you need to make a Bloody Mary with Desert Pepper Salsa?
Tomato Juice: This is the base of the drink so you will want a good quality brand.
Desert Pepper Cantina Salsa: The Cantina salsa has a mild flavor with just enough heat that a salsa needs. I love this as a chip dip, but that zesty flavor punches up this Bloody Mary recipe. It is gluten-free and fat-free.
Other Juices: Fresh lemon and lime juices are the best. I also add a splash of pickle juice.
Sauces: The horseradish sauce along with the hot sauce gives this recipe an added kick. The Worcestershire sauce adds a salty, tangy flavor that enhances the tomato base.
Seasonings: Garlic powder and celery salt add a great addition to the drink.
Vodka: You can choose your favorite vodka for this recipe. Different brands and styles will bring different flavors.
PRO TIP: You can swap out the vodka for tequila and have a Bloody Maria. I also use whiskey for a Southern Mary.
Garnishment: For this drink, I used celery, lemon and lime wedges, green olives, bacon, parsley sprigs, and dill pickles. But, the possibilities are endless. Use a cocktail skewer to hold up the ingredients.
Flavored Rim: I like to add a little extra flavor to each sip by adding a flavored coating around the rim of the glasses. You can alter the seasonings but I like sea salt, celery salt, and cayenne pepper.
How do you make the Bloody Mary with Desert Pepper Salsa?
1. In a blender, combine the tomato juice, Desert Pepper Salsa, lemon juice, lime juice, pickle juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, celery salt, black pepper, and Tabasco sauce and process until smooth.
2. Transfer to a nonreactive container, like a stainless steel or glass bowl or pitcher, and refrigerate the Bloody Mary mix until thoroughly chilled, about 2 hours, or for better results, overnight.
3. When ready to serve, wet the rim of each glass with a lemon wedge and dip the outside of the glass into the seasoning mixture. Rotate the glass to cover the outside of the rim. Then, fill each glass with ice and about 1 ounce or more of your favorite vodka.
4. Pour in the Bloody Mary mix, stir well, and garnish each glass with a pickle, celery, green olives, bacon, and whatever else you’d like.
5. Enjoy the brunchtime treat!
PRO TIP: You can omit the vodka and make it a Virgin Bloody Mary.
How long will the Bloody Mary mix last in the fridge?
The mix can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days ahead of time. If you’re having a get-together, this is a perfect drink to make ahead of time. And just like everything else, the longer it sits, the more the flavors can meld together.
PRO TIP: By having the mix already premade for your party, you can set up a Bloody Mary bar where the guest can assemble their drinks. Have the glasses lined up, plates of the seasoned salt ready to coat the rims, the vodka set out, and a layout of garnishments for the guests to choose from. And don’t forget the ice.
More recipes using Desert Pepper products:
- Chile Con Queso Chilli
- Recipe featuring Peach Mango Salsa (coming soon)
Bloody Mary with Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 1 cup Desert Pepper Brand Cantina Mild Salsa
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ½ tsp pickle juice
- 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Tabasco sauce
- ½ tsp prepared horseradish
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp celery salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1-2 oz vodka per drink
- ice
For Flavored Salt Rim
- 4 Lemon wedges
- ½ tsp celery salt
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the tomato juice, Desert Pepper Salsa, lemon juice, lime juice, pickle juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, celery salt, black pepper, and Tabasco sauce and process until smooth.
- Transfer to a nonreactive container, like a stainless steel or glass bowl or pitcher, and refrigerate the Bloody Mary mix until thoroughly chilled, about 2 hours, or for better results, overnight.
- When ready to serve, wet the rim of each glass with a lemon wedge and dip the outside of the glass into the seasoning mixture. Rotate the glass to cover the outside of the rim. Then, fill each glass with ice and about 1 ounce or more of your favorite vodka.
- Pour in the Bloody Mary mix, stir well, and garnish each glass with a pickle, celery, green olives, bacon, and whatever else you’d like.
Eric Olsson is the food blogger of RedBeansAndEric.com. He publishes new recipes and interviews weekly. He has developed recipes and written articles for the famous Camellia brand in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been mentioned in Louisiana Cookin‘ magazine and has had recipes featured in Taste of Home magazine – with his Creole Turkey recipe being runner up in their annual Thanksgiving recipe contest. He lives outside of Detroit, Michigan, with his wife and four children.
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