Spicy Bloody Mary Cocktails {Sunday Brunch}

Yesterday we headed over to the Capital City Farmers Market to pick up a few pumpkins for Halloween. 

Check out the stems on these guys.

But we got distracted and left with vodka and short ribs instead. 

We were captivated by this vodka crafted from pure raw honey so much so that we forgot the pumpkins. Plus, I just adore the packaging... yes, I'm on of "those".

And seriously. How could we resist fresh short ribs from Greenfield Highland Beef? More on what we did with these guys in another post...

So sorry kids.  No cool jack-o’-lanterns at the Littells this year.  We whipped up one of our most favorite cocktails using our favorite new vodka instead. 

Sunday fun-day.

Let’s let loose on our signature Spicy Bloody Marys, shall we?

Ingredients – the goodness:

• (1/2) cup of vodka – we used Calendonia Spirits Barr Hill Vodka and couldn’t be happier.
• (1) quart (OR 4 cups) of organic tomato juice – we used RW Knudsen Family and loved the consistency.
• (1) lemon, zested and juiced
• (1) large garlic clove
• (3) tablespoons of fresh horseradish – we used Rabbi’s Roots Horseradish and love the kick!
• (1) tablespoon of worcestershire
• (2) tablespoons of Sriracha hot sauce
• (1) and (1/2) teaspoons of Kosher salt
• (1) teaspoon of black pepper
• pickled okra (optional)

  The stars of today's show. Yaya's pickled okra, Rabbi's Roots Horseradish, and Caledonia Spirits Barr Hill Vodka

Directions:
1. First, pull out your blender ya’ll.  That’s where it’s all going down.

2. You’ll want to first zest your lemon straight into the blender.  Then, juice that same lemon separately using a small strainer and pour in.  By using both the zest and the juice you’re able to fully utilize the lemon, reducing waste.  Plus, that zest will add a bright spark to your cocktail.  You’ll see…

Grab a microplane to zest your lemon. Zest gently careful not to grate the white pith just beneath.

3.  Next add your garlic, horseradish, worcestershire sauce, sriracha, salt and pepper.  Pulse these ingredients gently in the blender to (of course) blend.  Note: You want to leave your mixture slightly chunky.

4.  Now, pour in your tomato juice and again pulse until blended.

5.  Finally, add your vodka (feel free to increase amount based on your preference… and tolerance) and add (5) ice cubes.  Then turn your blender on high and blend until smooth.

Add that ice, ice baby.

6. Serve it up with your favorite accompaniments and enjoy! 
….We like ours with Yaya’s (translation: Harrison’s grandmother’s) pickled okra.  Nom! Nom! Nom!…

Cheers!