Light Libation

Makes 6 drinks

Many Bloody Mary fans crave something a bit lighter during the summer months; they want the entire range of tastes but in a thinner matrix. That’s why I developed this recipe. By straining the mix, you still have a vivid red juice full of rich and spicy flavors, but it’s thin, which makes it easy to sip.

2 pounds ripe red tomatoes

2 garlic cloves

¼ small sweet onion, chopped

1 jalapeño or serrano chile, seeds and ribs removed, diced

1 to 2 tablespoons prepared white horseradish

2 teaspoons kosher salt

¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tablespoons celery bitters

3 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning for rimming the glasses (optional)

9 to 12 ounces vodka or Spicy Vodka (here)

SUGGESTED GARNISHES:

Strips of crispy thick-sliced bacon

Skewers of green olives alternated with cherry tomatoes and cocktail onions

Dilly Beans (here)

Lemon wedges

Place the tomatoes, garlic, onion, chile, horseradish, and salt in a food processor or blender, and purée until smooth. Strain the liquid through a sieve, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.

Combine the purée with the lemon juice and bitters in a pitcher and stir well. Chill well.

Rim 6 (12-ounce) glasses with Old Bay, if desired, following the instructions .

Pour about 4 ounces (½ cup) of the mix into a pint glass, add 1½ to 2 ounces of the vodka, and fill the glass completely with ice. Roll the drink between 2 pint glasses to mix and chill for individual servings (see here), or pour the vodka and mix into a pitcher filled with ice and stir well with a long-handled spoon.

Strain the drink into a rimmed glass using a funnel to avoid wetting the rim. Add ice cubes, and garnish each drink with a strip or two of bacon; a skewer of olives, cherry tomatoes, and onions; a few dilly beans; and a lemon wedge. Serve immediately.

Note: The mix can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated, tightly covered.

double old-fashioned