The Hungry Cat Bloody Mary
At The Hungry Cat Restaurant in Southern California, Bloody Marys are a popular cocktail. Here, chef/owner David Lentz shares the recipe. When vine-ripened tomatoes are at their peak in summer, prepare the roasted tomato juice. Otherwise, canned San Marzano tomatoes pureed in a blender are a great substitute. If you can’t find Maryland spice mix, use Old Bay seasoning.
Ingredients:
For the roasted tomato juice:
- 5 lb. juicy ripe tomatoes
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbs. kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 Tbs. Tabasco, plus more, to taste
- 1 Tbs. prepared horseradish, plus more, to taste
- 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbs. celery salt
- 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 Tbs. Maryland spice mix or Old Bay seasoning
- 3 or 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice cubes as needed
- 8 oz. vodka
Directions:
To prepare the roasted tomato juice, preheat an oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Cut the tomatoes in half and place in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat well. Arrange the tomatoes, cut side down, on the prepared baking sheet and transfer to the oven. Roast until the tomatoes are broken down and the skins are shriveled, about 45 minutes.
Let the tomatoes cool, then carefully pull off the skins. Transfer the tomatoes and any accumulated juices to a blender and puree until smooth. You should have about 6 cups roasted tomato juice. You will need 4 cups for this recipe; refrigerate the remaining juice for another use.
In a pitcher, combine the 4 cups roasted tomato juice (or 4 cups pureed San Marzano tomatoes), the lemon juice, lime juice, the 1 Tbs. Tabasco, the 1 Tbs. horseradish, the Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, pepper, kosher salt, spice mix and Angostura bitters. Stir until well combined. Taste the Bloody Mary mix and adjust the seasonings with more Tabasco and horseradish.
Fill 4 pint glasses with ice. Add 2 oz. vodka to each glass and pour in enough Bloody Mary mix to fill the glasses. Stir well to combine. Makes 4 cocktails.
David Lentz, Chef/Owner, The Hungry Cat, Los Angeles, CA.