3 Ways to Upgrade Your Bloody Maria

When a cocktail is as tasty as the Bloody Maria, it’s easy to stick to traditions. But even the most classic cocktails deserve a new lease on life once in awhile. 

These three inventive spins promise to put a little spring in Maria’s step.

Mediterranean Bloody Maria

For the Orange Salt Rim:

• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 4 tablespoons kosher salt
• Lemon wedge, for rimming

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the orange zest and salt. Move the salt to a small, flat plate. Using a lemon wedge, moisten half of the rim of a double rocks glass. Roll the moistened edge of the glass in the orange salt. Set aside.

For the Cocktail:

• 2 ounces Patrón Silver
• 4 ounces tomato juice
• .5 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon horseradish
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground cracked black pepper, to taste
• .5 ounce balsamic vinegar
• .5 ounce olive juice
• 1 cucumber spear
• Ice

Stir all the ingredients, except the cucumber spear and ice, together in a mixing glass until all the components are well incorporated. Add ice and stir until chilled, then strain over new ice in the orange salt-rimmed glass.

For the Skewer:

• 1 caper berry
• 1 stuffed olive
• 1 pepperoncini
• 1 pickled green bean

Skewer all the ingredients in order and place on top of the double rocks glass. Add the cucumber spear and serve immediately.​

Asian Bloody Maria

For the Gochugaru Salt Rim:

• 2 tablespoons gochugaru, Korean chile flakes
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• Lemon wedge, for rimming

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the gochugaru and salt. Move the salt to a small, flat plate. Using a lemon wedge, moisten half of the rim of a double rocks glass. Roll the moistened edge of the glass in the gochugaru salt. Set aside.

For the Cocktail:

• 2 ounces Patrón Silver
• 4 ounces tomato juice
• .5 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon horseradish
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon gochujang
• .25 ounce fish sauce
• 1 stalk Chinese celery (conventional celery is fine as an alternative)
• Ice

Stir all the ingredients, except the Chinese celery and ice, together in a mixing glass until all the components are will incorporated. Add ice and stir until chilled, then strain over new ice in the gochugaru salt-rimmed glass.

For the Skewer:

• 1 strip diakon
• 1 cocktail shrimp
• 1 to 2 pieces kimchi

Skewer all the ingredients in order and place on top of the double rocks glass. Add the Chinese celery stalk and serve immediately.

Southern Bloody Maria

For the Candied Bacon:

• 1 strip bacon
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 400°. Place the bacon  on a foil-lined baking sheet. Rub the brown sugar into the slice and bake until crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to completely cool.

For the Smoked Salt Rim

• 2 teaspoons smoked salt
• 2 tablespoons flake salt
• Lemon wedge, for rimming

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the smoked and flake salts. Move the salt to a small, flat plate. Using a lemon wedge, moisten half of the rim of a double rocks glass. Roll the moistened edge of the glass in the smoked salt. Set aside.

For the Cocktail:

• 2 ounces Patrón Silver
• 4 ounces tomato juice
• .5 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon horseradish
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground cracked black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoon preferred barbecue sauce
• 1 strip candied bacon
• Ice

Stir together all the ingredients, except the bacon strip and ice, in a mixing glass until all the components are incorporated. Add ice and stir until chilled, then strain over new ice in the smoked salt-rimmed glass.

For the Skewer:

• 1 to 2 pieces preferred jerky
• 1 cube extra-sharp cheddar
• 1 blistered cherry tomato

Skewer all the ingredients in order and place on top of the double rocks glass. Add the bacon strip and serve immediately.