Fire Up Your Brunch with a Smoky Bloody Mary
Spicy Drink with a Tomato Base and a Smoky Flavor: Bloody Mary Cocktail
Elevate your brunch game with this fiery twist on a classic Bloody Mary cocktail! This smoky version features the unexpected combination of barbecue sauce and chipotles in adobo sauce, delivering a delightful edge. Can't find chipotles in adobo sauce? No worries! We've got you covered with some creative substitutions to keep the smoky flavor game strong.
What You Need:
As for the main ingredient, chipotles are dried, smoked jalapeño peppers, with canned chipotles in adobo sauce dominating this recipe. Usually, you can find this spicy deliciousness in the Latin section of your supermarket.
Brunch Goals: Achieved!
This recipe was a hit at our New Year's Day Brunch. Take a look at our classic Bloody Mary recipe for more brunch cocktail inspiration!
Yield:
A silky smooth Smoky Bloody Mary that serves one lucky drinker.
Difficulty:
Easy peasy – even your hungover bestie can whip this up in no time!
Time:
Barely takes 5 minutes, so you can chillax and sip away without wasting time.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Vodka
- 4 oz Tomato Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh horseradish
- 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 3 dashes hot sauce, such as Tabasco
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon barbecue sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped chipotles in adobo sauce (or choose your preferred chipotle substitute – see below)
- Generous squeeze of lemon juice
- Pinch of celery seeds
- 1 English cucumber, cut into 4-inch-long spears
- 1 large green olive
- Ice
Instructions:
- Pop all the ingredients (except the cucumber spear and olive) into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Give it a good ol' shake to combine, and then strain the refreshing mix over a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with your fancy cucumber spear and green olive.
Substitute Your Way to Smoky Perfection:
Not a fan of chipotles in adobo sauce? Don't panic! Here are some smoky alternatives to create the same delectable flavor:
1. Smoked Paprika and Cayenne Pepper
- Substitute 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper for the chipotles in adobo sauce. Adjust to your taste.
2. Chipotle Powder
- Replace chipotles with chipotle powder, a concentrated form of dried chipotle peppers. Start with about 1/4 teaspoon and adjust to your liking.
3. Other Spicy Peppers in Sauce
- Use ancho or guajillo peppers, which offer a smoky flavor though not as spicy. Use according to your desired level of heat and smokiness.
4. Roasted Jalapeños
- Roast jalapeños for a smoky flavor, blend them with some tomato paste or canned diced tomatoes to mimic the sauce consistency of adobo. Use 1-2 roasted jalapeños to suit your taste.
Tips for Substitution:
- Taste and adjust: Always sample your Smoky Bloody Mary as you go and adjust the level of heat and smokiness to your preference.
- Balance flavors: Ensure that the other ingredients in your Bloody Mary harmonize with the heat and smokiness from your substitute ingredients.
Basic Smoky Bloody Mary Recipe with Substitutions
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Tomato Juice
- 1/2 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of your choice of chipotle substitute (e.g., smoked paprika + cayenne)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garnish: celery stick, olives, or other Bloody Mary toppings
Instructions:
- Mix it up! Combine vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, your chipotle substitute, and Worcestershire sauce in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake it! Shake it well and pour into a salt-rimmed glass.
- Garnish: Decorate your masterpiece with your preferred toppings.
Dive into the world of smoky cocktails and enjoy!
- For those who can't find chipotles in adobo sauce in their local supermarket, consider using substitutes such as smoked paprika and cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, ancho or guajillo peppers, or roasted jalapeños to recreate the Smoky Bloody Mary's unique flavor profile.
- If you're killing two birds with one stone and want to add a boost of nutrition to your Smoky Bloody Mary, consider swapping out traditional Worcestershire sauce for a low-sodium version, or adding vegetables like celery or carrot juice to the mix for an extra nutritional kick.
- The Smoky Bloody Mary recipe can also be easily adapted to accommodate dietary restrictions. For example, replace vodka with your preferred alcohol-free spirits or omit alcohol entirely for a non-alcoholic version. Additionally, be sure to check the ingredients of your chipotle substitutes to ensure they align with your dietary needs, such as being vegan or gluten-free.
