Houstonist Bartender: Bloody Maria

Wow, it's finally Friday, time to wind down the mortgage paying mayhem, or rut that pays the rent - okay, work! There, we said it, the worst four letter word, ever. It's almost over and very nearly time for our highly anticipated weekend (sleeping late is underrated - we love, love being a bed bug). So anyway, Houstonist is busily gearing up for Dia de los Muertos, as we have quite a few special lives to celebrate! We have decided to have our own lil "Noche de los Barrachos" with some friends and without operating a motorized vehicle, or any piece of farm equipment we happen across, like a dumbass (buscept for that kids jeep - hey, one must have a means to get to the neighbors and back). Since we have a secret penchant for the tequila and we just adore us some spicy somethin'-something' it is Bloody Maria time! Spices make your tummy warm, the juice has vitamin C and the tequila quickly dispatchs your "give-a-shitter" to the land of "who the hell cares" or "I'm the next contestant on that dancing show". Here's how you concoct one:

Bloody Maria

2 oz good tequila
dash worcesershire sauce
two dashes hot sauce (the Louisiana kind, from like Avery Island)
pinch of ground horseradish (optional)
dash of celery salt
dash of pepper (or cayenne, if you dare)
2 oz tomato-clam juice
2 oz tomato juice (or, all tomato juice - we like using the spicy vegetable juice that's mostly tomato)

garnish choices: lemon wedge, celery stick, slice of jalepeno

Fill a highball glass with ice, combine all ingredients (not the garnishes) in a shaker with a couple cubes of ice and shake until well blended. Pour over ice, garnish and sip, while you gather remembrances for ofrenda. Repeat as needed.

We will spare you the long version we sold you last week, but, the story remains the same: Do not drive intoxicated, find an alcohol-free mullet, take a cab, drink at home (just not alone, just saying), avoid any reason to take a ride in the blue car and stay safe. If tequila makes you mean, swap it for vodka, call it a "Mary" and it may work a better for your temperament, or feel free to get all mean - at home and alone. Mean people suck.

Photo courtesy of flickr user saveena