8 Experts Answer - What Makes a Great Bloody Mary?
On January 14-15, 2018, an elite panel of bloody mary royalty will convene to determine once and for all who has the best bloody mary mix in the world. But what are these experts really looking for at the 2018 Drunken Tomato Awards? What does it take to sway these experienced judges opinion? We asked each judge, "What makes a great bloody mary?" Here's what they told us.
Greg Tooke
Founder, My Big Fat Bloody Mary
“Me. I do.”
>>> (To which I responded, "LOL!!! Best. Answer. Ever.")
“On a more serious note, I’d say balance. Whether making an umami laden savory drink, or a light refreshing citrus forward bloody, the flavors should be a good balance of ingredients that compliment each other.”
Renee Belanger
Founder, Bloody Good Bloodys
“My answer to what makes a great Bloody Mary has definitely changed over the years! I used to love the spicier, the better. Now, I still need a good flavor with a little dash of spice, but it’s more important to give me a bloody that tastes FRESH!
If a bloody has a good, fresh/quality tasting tomato juice base, then I don’t think you have to add a lot beyond the traditional spices to make it a great bloody. A nice quality vodka doesn’t hurt either!”
Jessica Hatz
Founder, Bloody Mary Tour
“The right amount of spice, a dash of pickle juice, and some fresh herbs. And you can’t forget extra celery seed!”
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Susan Fiebig
Author, The Bloody Trail
“I created a 50-point scoring system that I use whenever I order a Bloody Mary. My books, ‘The Bloody Trail’ and ‘Adventures On The Bloody Trail’ explain in detail this criteria.
I look for a Bloody that’s been shaken and poured into a pint glass with salt on the rim, a generous amount of garnishes (but not too crazy) adorning the cocktail, a cold beer set alongside it, all giving it a nice presentation because first impressions are very important. What the eye sees, the tastebuds want!
But, most importantly, that Bloody Mary better taste great! It should have lots of spices, dark with texture and loaded with bits of horseradish. Nothing says delicious more than a Bloody Mary with ‘some meat to it’!”
What makes a great bloody mary?
Dr. Brian King
Founder, Bloody America
Author, The Laughing Cure
“A great bloody mary is a labor of love; carefully chosen fresh ingredients, paired with just the right vodka and garnished to compliment the beverage, not overshadow it. Yeah love... that, or barbecue sauce.”
Evan & Yunna Weiss
Founders, The Bloody Mary Festival
“The key ingredients and flavors should be balanced. A few ingredients that will always win my heart are: pickle brine, mustard seed and cilantro.”
“I am definitely an ‘innovative ingredient’ type of person. Whether it’s beet juice or kimchi, I love when an extra kick of creativity is put into making the bloody mary. I also love my garnishes.”
Shelley Buchanan
Founder, Author - The Drunken Tomato
“Balance. You can switch out every single ingredient of a traditional bloody mary... the tomato juice, the vodka, the spices... but a great bloody mary will always achieve balance. The better question is, what is a bloody mary?”