Perhaps the weather is less than stellar where you are today. Oh hai, thanks for the all snow and ice balls, April. Never mind. Make yourself a cocktail, and just wait for that crap to end.
This is basically a Bloody Mary, only with more deliciousness. Let’s call it a Bloody April. It’s practically got a salad inside it AND beside it, with cold shrimp for nomming on. If you put bacon in it, you cold totally call it dinner.
You’ll need:
a glass-full of tomato juice
a tipple of vodka
scant shake of salt & pepper
a few drops Tabasco
a few drops Worchestershire sauce
a speck of horseradish (and I do mean a speck)
squeeze of lemon
tiny handful of shrimp
celery, carrot, cucumber (bacon optional)
Take a few frozen shrimp from the bag in your freezer and put them in a bowl of water for five minutes, or until they defrost. Put teeny bit of salt in the water, and microwave them for about 3 minutes, or until cooked, the way you know shrimp need to be – all pink and whatnot. Drain and cool in an ice bath, and then remove the shells. Pat dry, and try not to eat them before the drink is ready. (This might be the hardest part of this whole ordeal.)
In a glass of your choice, toss in a few ice cubes, and shake in all your seasonings – don’t go crazy – this drink can get WAY spicy too fast if you don’t use a bit of restraint, so just relax.
Squeeze a wedge of lemon over the glass too.
Add your vodka, and then fill your glass almost to the brim with tomato juice. I say almost, because by the time you rim it up with shrimp and jam all your lovely garden veggies into it, there will be a river of red on your counter, and you run the risk of your guests watching you put your face to the counter to suck up everything that spilled over, and you’ll look like you’re making out with your own reflection, like a fish making kissy-face against the glass. (What?! It’s happened. It could happen. Don’t judge.)
Serve anything that won’t fit in your glass, on the side. Tender Lebanese cucumbers and/or small carrots look pretty sliced lengthwise, and the last of the shrimp (as if) and a slice of cooked bacon, if you’re organised. (Only because everything tastes better with bacon, you know.)
I make this for Martin sometimes when he comes home from work. Of course, first I remove my apron and put on a little lipstick… and you might be interested to know that brand of vodka pictured is gluten-free. (Not all vodkas are made from potatoes. In fact, most aren’t anymore.)
It’s like dinner in a glass. Or, at least a salad in your glass. Makes for an excellent accompaniment at brunches and fancy-company times, but not recommended for children, unless you want them to go to sleep at 6:45 PM.
PS – It should go without saying that one can totally omit the vodka and make this drink virgin… but why would you?
Happy weekend, all!!
baaaaaaaacccooooooon!
Thanks, Julie!! *smooches you*
i love you so much!
It makes my husband love me more, I’m pretty sure.. *snort*
Ooooh! I never thought about it being veggies in a glass! Another great idea – vodka or virgin! sound delicious!!!!