Not the vegetarian option by any means, the Bullshot, once favoured by Hemingway at Harry’s Bar in Venice, is yet another variant on Bloody Mary but this time made with beef consommé,
The definitive base was always Campbell’s Condensed Beef Consommé. Used without dilution, save for the vodka, it had an idiosyncratic taste and, in particular, a singular mouthfeel leaving a viscous coating on the palate, possible from the pork gelatin it contained, allowing the flavour to linger delightfully.
Unfortunately it has been unavailable in the UK for many years, even before Bachelor’s bought the UK licence for the line and, unfortunately, failed to include the rights to the branding, made famous by Warhol’s Tomato Soup prints. Could this be revenge for the London Bridge debacle ?
One respectable alternative is Baxter’s Beef Consommé with Cask Aged Sherry which includes extracts of Celery, Nutmeg, Pimento, Cinnamon, Capsicum. Sounds like it is made for the job. Oddly another is Knorr’s Beef Stock Pot which can be diluted with hot water to any strength but must then be frozen before use. Whatever is used it must be bloody cold.
Stir consommé and vodka 2:1 over ice with horseradish, a dash of Tabasco, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a slug of lemon juice. Decant, less ice, into a large frozen shot glass rimmed with fresh black pepper. ¡Toro!