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Christmas: Merry Bloody Mary with a Fennel Salt Rim

Source of Recipe

From "The Christmas Table" by Diane Morgan


Recipe Introduction

"Here's my favorite brunch drink to serve along with Gravlax, buttered pumpernickel or toasted bagels, and condiment bowls filled with diced shallots, cucumbers, capers, and dill. The fennel salt is the secret ingredient that sets this drink apart."

List of Ingredients

◦  Fennel Salt (see Cook's Note)
◦  1 lemon wedge
◦  Ice cubes
◦  2 ounces (¼ cup) Absolut Pepper Vodka
◦  4 ounces (½ cup) tomato juice
◦  ¼ tsp extra-hot prepared horseradish
◦  2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
◦  Celery stick with leafy top


Recipe

Spread a little fennel salt on a small saucer. Rub the rim of a highball glass with the lemon wedge, and then invert the glass onto the fennel salt to coat the rim. Fill the glass with ice. Reserve the lemon wedge.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce. Cover, shake vigorously, and then strain into the prepared glass.

Squeeze the lemon wedge over the drink, and then drop it in. Garnish with the celery stick. Serve immediately.


Serves 1


â—¦ Cook's Note:
Fennel salt is available at specialty markets and kitchenware stores selling gourmet ingredients. To make your own, toast 1 tablespoon fennel seeds in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant, then pour onto a plate and let cool. In a spice grinder or a mortar, grind the fennel seeds until finely ground. Mix the ground fennel with 3 tablespoons fine sea salt.