:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CrazyBloodyMary-020-0fc52ba9e13e4fec8200c52f4bdf2731.jpg)
The bloody Mary is a great drink, but there are times when you really want to do it up. Garnished with a mini grilled cheese sandwich, bacon straw, and a dill pickle, this restaurant-worthy bloody Mary definitely does the trick. It's like that iconic tomato soup and grilled cheese duo—just in a drinkable and edible form that's a lot more fun. This is a perfect cocktail for brunch, game day, or whenever you have a few friends over for drinks (snacks included).
Though it has a number of elements, the recipe is very easy. You'll start by making a pitcher of bloody Mary mix—complete with the vodka and seasoned to your taste—and let that chill while you work on the garnishes. Bacon straws are a simple project—don't be disappointed if every straw doesn't actually work—and grilled cheese is always easy to make.
Ingredients
- For the Bloody Mary Mix:
- 2 cups vodka
- 4 cups tomato juice
- 1 tablespoon horseradish (to taste)
- 5 dashes hot sauce (to taste)
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
- Black pepper (freshly ground; to taste)
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice (to taste)
- Garnish: 8 mini dill pickles
- Garnish: 8 bacon straws
- Garnish: 8 mini grilled cheese sandwiches
- For the Bacon Straw:
- 8 slices bacon
- For the Grilled Cheese:
- 4 slices bread
- 4 slices cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Steps to Make It
Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this cocktail is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and assembly.
Make the Bloody Mary Mix
-
Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios -
Add the vodka and tomato juice to a pitcher. Stir well.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios -
Add the horseradish, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and black pepper. Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon (about 3/4 ounce). Stir again and adjust any of the seasonings to taste.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios -
Refrigerate while you prepare the garnishes and until its time to serve.
Make the Bacon Straw
-
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Twist small pieces of foil into the shape of a dowel, about 10 inches long and the diameter of a drinking straw (the shape doesn't have to be perfect).
-
Wrap one piece of bacon around a foil dowel, spiraling down as you go and overlapping the previous layer of bacon. Repeat with all of the bacon and use a toothpick to secure any loose bacon that won't stay in place.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios -
Place a wire rack on a baking sheet with sides to trap the bacon grease. Lay the bacon wraps on the rack and bake for 25 minutes, or until crispy.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios -
Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. Twist the foil as you gently slide the bacon straw off.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios
Make the Grilled Cheese
-
Build a grilled cheese sandwich by buttering the sides of two pieces of bread and laying two slices of cheese on the unbuttered side. Repeat with the second sandwich.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios -
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sandwiches for a few minutes on each side until the bread is crispy and golden brown.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios -
Let the grilled cheese cool for a few minutes so the melted cheese sets up. Cut each sandwich into four squares.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios
Assemble the Crazy Bloody Mary
-
In each serving glass, add ice cubes and fill with the bloody mary mix.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios -
Skewer the grilled cheese and pickle, placing it and the bacon straw in the drink.
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios -
Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
There are numerous ways to dress up your bloody Mary. Let your imagination and what's in your fridge guide you.
- Don't want to make bacon straws? Fry up strips of bacon as flat as possible and stick one upright in each glass as garnish.
- Rather than grilled cheese, skewer a mini hamburger—complete with the bun and cheese—instead. Use a bite-sized slider recipe to make the smallest burgers possible (about 3 inches in diameter).
- Hang a cocktail shrimp off the side of the glass or add it to the skewer.
- Other garnish ideas include a lemon or lime slice, celery stalk, pickled asparagus spear, bell pepper wedge, or stuffed olives.
- Rim each glass with salt or a salt and chili powder mix. Some people like to use spice mixes like Old Bay or Tajin.
- Add pickle juice ice cubes. An equal mix of water and pickle juice adds just the right amount of flavor and will freeze as quickly as regular water.
- Turn this into a green bloody mary by using green vegetable juice instead of tomato. You can also use Clamato juice to give it a bloody Caesar spin.
- Rather than vodka, pour tequila, whiskey, or gin. Each has been proven to make an excellent bloody Mary.
- Skip the liquor entirely to make a nonalcoholic version.
How Strong Is a Crazy Bloody Mary?
This bloody Mary is a little stronger than most, but it's not bad. The recipe mixes up to be about the same as a glass of wine, or 12 percent ABV (24 proof). If you'd like to knock that down a bit, pour just 1 1/2 cups of vodka.
Recipe Tags: