Low Sodium Bloody Mary
Weekends are a time for Sporting Events and Brunch! It is a time of tailgating and gathering with friends. It also has a signature cocktail that is almost synonymous with Brunch, The Bloody Mary. Traditionally this very salty drink is a go to for weekenders everywhere. In order for us to enjoy them in our low sodium lives. We need a recipe for a low sodium Bloody Mary.
What’s In A Bloody Mary?
The Bloody Mary has a few signature components that typically hold all the salt in this recipe. The traditional celery salt on the rim of the glass. The tomato and spice blended juice, and the garnishes used to dress up the drink. As a former Bartender, I have worked with many different recipes over the years and they vary typically based on the region you live in.
The drink can be made alcohol free for my fellow heart and liver patients. It is referred to as a Virgin Mary. If you do choose to add alcohol, please do so responsibly. We attacked each component and hacked out the salt. Here then is my recipe for a low sodium Bloody Mary.
Building a Proper Bloody Mary
To start with, let’s make sure we have the right glassware. A Bloody Mary is typically served in an 8 0z. glass, such as a highball glass. the first step to assembling the drink is to “rim” the drink. Traditionally this is done by moistening the rim of the glass, and then invert it and rub the rim in your rimming spice to coat the lip of the glass with the rimming spice.
Replacing The Salted Rim
Margaritas are typically rimmed with salt for sour flavored margarita’s and sugar for sweet ones. A Bloody Mary is typically rimed with Celery Salt. The problem here is the celery salt usually runs over 500 mg per 1/4 tsp. The solution I came up with, was to use a sugar. The problem with sugar is you usually want savory spices for a to pair with the smoky-peppery flavors. So I decided to make a flavored sugar. I came up with a Chili-Lime Sugar. When it is on the rim of the glass, you taste the sweet and sour of the lime, with a nice light chili heat on the lips.
Finding Low Sodium Tomato Juice
The tomato juice is the second major sodium area of the beverage. If you want to save time, you can use a low sodium tomato juice, or no salt added tomato puree to make the base of the mix.
Then Come The Low Sodium Garnishes
A Bloody Mary can have several things as garnishes, and the usual choices of pickles, olives, beef sticks, etc. are all high in salt. I chose a wedge of lime, 1 celery stalk, a yellow banana pepper (I grow them in my garden), and I chose a McClure’s Spicy Dill spear. It is one of the best tasting low sodium pickles on the market and can usually be found locally or on Amazon.
If you are ambitious and want to make your own low sodium pickles, you can get my salt free dill pickle recipe here.. Some other low sodium ideas would be: A small cube of Boar’s Head Low Sodium Cheddar, Pearl Onions (pickled in vinegar and dill, a jalapeno pepper, and Low Sodium Olives (Black or Green). Let me know what you would add. Salut!
The Recipe For A Low Sodium Bloody Mary
Low Sodium Bloody Mary
Ingredients
- 4 cups Tomato Puree or Juice - You can make puree from scratch by peeling and cooking down 2 lbs. of Roma tomatoes and blending them into the puree.
- 2 tsp Low Sodium Prepared Horse Radish - More or less depending on desired heat.
- 2 tsp Black pepper - ground
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper - More or less depending on desired heat
- 2 tsp of Low Sodium Hot Sauce - More or less depending on desired heat
- 1 T White wine vinegar
- 1 T Lime juice
- 2 oz Vodka per glass or omit if making a Virgin Mary
Instructions
- Moisten the rim of an 8 oz glass with water, invert the glass and rub the rim in your rimming spice (See the Chili-Lime Sugar Recipe)
- Fill each glass 2/3 the way full with crushed ice
- In medium pitcher add the tomato juice or puree, horse radish, black pepper, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, hot sauce, white wine vinegar, and lime juice. stir until fully blended.
- Pour 2 oz Vodka over the ice in each glass. (Omit if making a Virgin Mary)
- Fill the rest of the way with the tomato juice mix.
- Garnish with your choices of low sodium treats.
Nutrition
The Recipe For Chili-Lime Infused Sugar
Chili-Lime Infused Sugar
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Low Sodium Chili Powder
- 1 T Fresh Lime zest
Instructions
- in a small container blend together all of the ingredients and shake to thoroughly mix together.
- Prepare a day in advance so sugar is infused with the most flavor.
Nutrition
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This sounds delicious and guilt free. I, too, am obsessed with making everything I want to eat into low sodium. After all, things taste even better when you don’t wash it down with a side of guilt.