Good Eats

The Queen of Bloody Marys

This year we gave ourselves an enviable New Year’s resolution: Learn how to make the best Bloody Mary possible. No Zing Zang. No Mr. & Mrs. T’s. And absolutely no gimmicks.

To find the queen of them all we narrowed in on New Orleans, of course, and followed our noses straight to Cochon. There executive chef and owner Donald Link makes a Bloody Mary that will make you practically rise from your seat in joy. The secret lies in some unmistakably Southern ingredients including authentic pork jus* and a heavy splash of pickled okra brine. But don’t take our word for it. Whip up one yourself.

* If you don’t happen to be the chef of one of the most famous pork restaurants in America, you can substitute beef broth for the pork jus.

Cochon Bloody Mary
(yields 10–12 servings)

1 can V8 (46 oz.)
2 tbsp. finely ground black pepper
2 tbsp. whole grain mustard
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1.5 oz. pork jus
1.5 oz. lime juice
2.5 oz. lemon juice
3.5 oz. hot sauce (preferably Crystal brand)
2 oz. green hot sauce
1.5 oz. red wine vinegar
1 oz. olive juice
1.5 oz. okra juice (the brine from a jar of pickled okra)
vodka of choice

Mix it up: Combine everything in a pitcher—except vodka—and stir. To serve: Fill glass with ice. Add about 2 ounces of vodka. Fill with Bloody Mary mixture. Stir, garnish with pickled okra and a stalk of celery, and serve. The mixture can be made ahead of time and kept in a sealed pitcher for up to a week.

Get started

(8)

I would love to try this recipe but where would you get pork jus if you weren't roasting pork?

By Camille | April 23, 2010 at 04:43 | report | Reply

13 ingredients a bit much??Sounds like someone who doesn't appreciate or even know good food and drink. Go buy some Mr. and Ms. T. V-8 taste funny?? I've never started laughing when I tasted it. I tried this recipe and it's only for someone who appreciates the finer things in life.

By Eddie | January 07, 2010 at 01:13 | report | Reply

FOR THE HOT SAUCE, ITS MORE THAN LIKELY TABASCO (ESPECIALLY THE GREEN, WHICH IS THEIR JALEPENO VARIETY). CRYSTAL DOESN'T CUT IT.

COCHON IS DELICIOUS, AS ARE THEIR DRINKS.

By ERR70005 | January 06, 2010 at 09:41 | report | Reply

We just got back from a trip to New Orleans. Cochon was the highlight for my whole family. I bought Link's cookbook for my husband who said it was his favorite Christmas present. I have no doubt that this recipe is worth the effort.

By Visitor | January 06, 2010 at 06:53 | report | Reply

I'm sure it is good but 13 ingredients is a bit much!

By kwackr | January 06, 2010 at 05:28 | report | Reply

I think I will stick with Mr and Mrs T, V8 tastes funny. I would never use garlic powder for anything it has an awful taste. I like to shake mine with ice and strain into a martini glass with a garnish of your choice.

By Rich | January 06, 2010 at 05:26 | report | Reply

At what point can we begin to refer to the Bloody Mary as a smoothie? It has all the nutritional value!

January 6, 2010