National Bloody Mary Day

January 1 is National Bloody Mary Day. Considered one of the oldest known mixed drinks, it has a murky past. The rumored origins of this cocktail are as numerous and varied as New Year’s resolutions. But, I always did like a mystery ~

The cocktail’s gorier heritage theory is it's named after Queen Mary of England and her brutal persecution of Protestants in the 16th Century. Bartender Fernand “Pete” Petiot is said to have created a basic version in the 1920's. Either way, the Bloody Mary is a staple at Sunday brunches around the globe and deserves its own day. Here are a couple of recipes from Sobieski Vodka to get 2014 started out right.

Classic Bloody Mary

1 ½ oz. Sobieski Vodka

3 oz. tomato juice

½ oz. lemon juice

Dash of Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and horseradish

Salt & pepper

Combine all ingredients in a tall glass and garnish with celery stick. 

Bacon Mary

 1 ½ oz. Sobieski Vodka

3 oz. tomato juice

Dash of Worcestershire sauce

Dash of Tabasco

Salt & pepper

Combine all ingredients in a glass and garnish with a piece of crispy bacon, celery stalk and green bean.

Bloody Fairy

1 ½ oz. Lucid Absinthe

1 oz. Sobieski Vodka

4 oz. spicy bloody mary mix

4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce

Horseradish, ground pepper, garlic salt, celery salt

In a pint glass add ice, Lucid Absinthe, Sobieski Vodka, bloody mary mix, Worcestershire sauce and other spices. Shake and serve with an olive, pepperoncini, and lime wedge.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.