Yields: 1 serving Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the base:

  • 1 cup high-quality tomato juice (look for low-sodium and organic if possible)

  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• For the spice and depth:

  • 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish

  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (or more to taste)

  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1/4 teaspoon celery salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

• For the garnish (get creative here!):

  • Celery stalk

  • Olives (green or stuffed)

  • Lemon and/or lime wedge

  • Pickles (gherkins or dill)

  • Pickled green beans

  • Cocktail shrimp

Equipment:

• Tall glass

• Cocktail shaker (optional)

Instructions:

1. Chill: If possible, chill your tomato juice and glass beforehand. This will keep your drink colder for longer.

2. Combine and shake (optional): For the smoothest texture, combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into your chilled glass filled with ice. If you don't have a shaker, simply stir vigorously in the glass.

3. Garnish: This is where you can really have fun! Add a celery stalk, olives, lemon and lime wedges, and any other garnishes you like. The more the merrier!

Tips for the best Virgin Mary:

• Quality tomato juice is key: Since tomato juice is the star, use the best quality you can find.

• Freshly squeezed citrus: Freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice makes a huge difference in brightness and flavor.

• Spice it up: Adjust the hot sauce and spices to your preference.

• Rim the glass: For an extra touch, rim the glass with celery salt or a spicy salt blend.

• Infuse the tomato juice: For an even more complex flavor, infuse the tomato juice with herbs and spices like celery, dill, garlic, or black peppercorns for a few hours before making your drink.