Virgin Mary Recipe

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">180ml tomato juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml fresh lemon juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">10ml Worcestershire sauce</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 dashes hot sauce (Tabasco or similar)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp prepared horseradish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp celery salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Pinch garlic powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Pinch smoked paprika (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Ice cubes</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Celery stalk, lemon wedge, green olive, and pickle spear for garnish</li></ul>

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Collins glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Mixing glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Fine mesh strainer</li></ul>

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Fill your Collins glass with ice to chill while preparing the mocktail. This step ensures your finished drink stays refreshingly cold longer and helps the flavors meld properly.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In your mixing glass, combine the tomato juice, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, horseradish, celery salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika if using. The acid from the lemon juice helps brighten the tomato flavor while balancing the savory elements.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Stir the mixture thoroughly with your bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds to fully integrate all ingredients. Unlike shaking, gentle stirring preserves the tomato juice's texture while allowing the spices to distribute evenly.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Empty the ice from your chilled Collins glass and refill with fresh ice cubes. This ensures your mocktail isn't watered down by partially melted ice.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Strain the mixture into your ice-filled Collins glass using a fine mesh strainer to catch any horseradish fibres or spice clumps, creating a smoother drinking experience.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Garnish with a celery stalk, lemon wedge, green olive, and pickle spear. Position the celery tall enough to double as a stirrer, allowing guests to remix the flavors as they drink. The garnishes aren't merely decorative – they add aromatic elements that enhance the overall experience.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>For the best flavor experience, let the drink rest for 1-2 minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the flavors to marry and the ice to slightly dilute the intensity, creating a perfectly balanced Virgin Mary.</li></ol>