Vegetarian loaded Bloody Mary brunch
So I’m ill again, for the second time this month. It doesn’t help that my husband teaches drums in about ten different schools – he must bring home every germ that passes through the county.
But before you think my cold has made me delirious, let me explain the monstrosity you see above. These loaded Bloody Marys have become a bit of a trend in the past couple of years, so it’s not just me who’s lost the plot. And in fact, my version is a lot less extreme than some of the ones I’ve seen, which are topped with burgers, entire pizzas, and whatever the heck this is (popcorn?!).
Compared to them, I’m quite sane really.
Anyway, the point of these loaded Bloody Marys is that they provide a good brunch and some liquid refreshment in one go. Since I’m feeling a bit under the weather, I can’t think of any better pick-me-up.
Before you go thinking that a loaded Bloody Mary is just a cheap gimmick… no, just kidding, it is totally a cheap gimmick. But either way, it all starts with a good quality cocktail. There’s no point in going to all the effort of making twenty different items to go on top if you haven’t got a good Bloody Mary in the first place.
You want to use a nice tomato juice, and a really good quality vodka – I used Ketel One vodka. I often use vodka as a mixer (usually just with coke or lemonade because I’m actually a pretty uncreative person a lot of the time), but I’ve always thought I couldn’t possibly drink it neat. I’m used to drinking cheap vodka which, in all honesty, is absolutely revolting when you can actually taste it. I’m still not sure I’m going to start slamming neat vodka shots, but the Ketel One vodka definitely has a much more pleasant flavour! One of those things that it’s very much worth paying a bit more for.
I went for a pretty straightforward Bloody Mary recipe this time, but if you’d like more inspiration, Ketel One have developed all sorts of variations on the traditional recipe (including a beetroot Bloody Mary, which looks amazing). You can check out all the recipes, as well as lots of other brunch inspiration from around the world, over on Ketel One’s nifty little infographic (I like the look of the Australian brunch recipe myself).
Once you’ve created your perfect Bloody Mary, it’s time to get topping. As I mentioned before, you can pretty much stick whatever you want on these things, as long as you poke a skewer through it. It totally depends how crazy you want to go.
I went for:
– grilled cheese sandwich (cut into squares)
– falafel
– green olives
– cherry tomatoes
– veggie cocktail sausages
– pickled gherkins
– veggie scotch eggs
Try to balance the more indulgent foods (i.e. all the brown bits…) with the more colourful, healthier foods. You’re already putting a scotch egg on top of a cocktail and calling it brunch, you’ve got to make sure you’re getting your veggies in too (pickled ones totally count).
So. Have I convinced you yet that I’m not a complete loon?
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Vegetarian loaded Bloody Mary brunch
Ingredients
- 1/2 lime
- Salt
- 50 ml Ketel One vodka (double shot)
- 225 ml tomato juice (~ 1 cup) - plus more, if necessary
- Dash of Tabasco (or other hot sauce)
- Black pepper
- Your choice of toppings, e.g: cherry tomatoes, vegetarian sausages, vegetarian scotch eggs, falafel, green olives, pickled gherkins, celery
Instructions
- Rub the cut lime around the top of a glass, and rub the glass in some salt.
- Add the vodka, tomato juice, Tabasco, a squeeze of lime juice, and a pinch of black pepper to the glass, and mix. Top up with additional tomato juice if necessary.
- Thread your chosen toppings onto a few long wooden skewers, and place in the glass to serve.
The nutritional information of this recipe will vary a lot depending on what toppings you choose, so I am not displaying it here.
I hope you feel better soon! This is a fantastic idea, I also use vodka as a mixer pretty often (this comes from my Russian genes!) haha :)
Have never heard of a loaded Bloody Mary! Big Tom is a great mixer if you want an instant fix – sans sausages ( of course!)
Wow that looks amazing for a Halloween party :)
What a great idea – all sounds and looks good to me!
Hope you feel better soon x
I’m not sure I’ve ever had a liquid brunch so this is a good place to start. Hope you feel better soon!
You don’t know what you’re missing ;)
I have never been much of a fan of a bloody mary, but I haven’t had one in years, so this post has made me think I need to give it a try again.
What a fantastic idea! I could totally go for this bloody Mary meal in a glass! I hope you are feeling better soon. Tis the season for the germs. With regards to drumming – our eight year old has just started taking lessons at school and she’s showing a natural aptitude. My husband was a drummer in a band for years so he’s giving her lots of extra tuition at home. She’s just had to sign a two year contract with us so we could order her birthday present – an Alesis DM 10 X electronic drum kit! She has to practice every day (unless sick) for two years until her 11th birthday, upon which she can choose to never pick up another drum stick ever again. Sorry, I just kind of waffled on there… but yes, lovely drink!
Haha clever idea! Hope she keeps it up and learns to love it :)
I’ve never ever tried a Bloody Mary. Ever. But this looks awesome. I’m with you on the quality vodka. Cheap vodka tastes like paint stripperX
Don’t I know it! ;)
Teehee I think these look really fun! And I love bloody mary :-)
How have I never come across these before?! They are my new favourite thing.
Sorry to hear you’ve been poorly. I have been too. Surely this tomato juice has plenty of vitamins to make you better though?! You better make yourself another one…
It’s practically a smoothie ;)
YES! I like your thinking! Totally health food #cleaneating ;-)
I hate tomato juice so I just can’t do Bloody Mary’s, even when I’ve got a hangover.
Looks yumm, definitely gonna try this at home xxx
Looks yumm, definitely gonna try this at home!
Goodness this Bloody Mary Brunch looks amazing, I’ve never drunk coffee or vodka but I think I’m ready to convert!
I’m not a coffee drinker, but vodka is one of my drinks of choice! Can’t believe you’ve never tried it!
People sure do some crazy stuff with bloody mary’s these day. Have to admit, I am not a bloody mary guy. But, everytime I see them with all these skewers full of delicious looking food…I feel like I should give them another try. Great recipe, they look awesome!
I love to start a holiday with an early morning Bloody Mary – this might be just the ticket next time!
These look amazing – what a great idea to give friends when they come round for lunch – so much more exciting than a sandwich!! ;)
WOW! This is amazing. It’s a drink, it’s a meal, it’s fantastic!!!
Oh yum! This is my kinda lunch! I can’t think of a better way of serving veggie sausages. I’m totally with you with regards to quality vodka, I never realised what a difference it makes until I went to Russia. It’s delicious ice cold and neat! Who knew?
Probably a dangerous realisation to come to though haha, I’ll be drinking it all the time now ;)