Not so much all about Maria. Here it is all about tequila. Use a fresh unoaked tequila blanco to keep the taste clean but agave-forward, not fighting with the rest of the ingredients; there is quite a party going on inside already.
Stick on your best huipil, a guayabera for the gentleman, but leave the sombrero at home. Now stick some ranchera on the stereo. Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are on their way.
Bloody Maria recipe
- 75 ml Patrón Silver Tequila
- 150 ml tomato juice
- 20 ml fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp Cholula Chipotle Hot Sauce
- pinch of celery salt
Shake it all with ice. Sieve it into a frozen highball glass, perhaps rimmed with a little smoked paprika mixed with celery salt.
Garnish with a pickled Banana Pepper, a slither of jalapeño, halves of cherry tomatoes, cucumber peel and a wedge of lime. Serve with a bowl of taco chips or hot chilli corn nuts on the side.
If you want to move up the scale add 25 ml of white vermouth to make a Bloody Maria Martini. Serve in a cocktail glass but go easy on the garnish.