Make your next brunch beverage a full-bodied and zesty one with the Red Snapper cocktail.
The cobwebs were thick, like heavy clouds that had settled and permanently moved into every corner of my mind. My eyelids weighed more than a pile of bricks, which made them difficult to open. This was a blessing in disguise, it turned out. The early morning light hit my pupils like an atomic blast, filling my throbbing head with silent, piercing screams of anguish.
The night before was a joyous one, with rivers of booze flowing and songs aplenty being sung. The thunderous sound of hundreds of pairs of feet stomping in sensuous, rhythmic time still filled my head. And there was plenty of room in there too, it felt like… Walking around after waking up from a night such as that made one feel as though their noggin had turned into a hot air balloon, floating high above their body and giving me the impression that it had grown four or five times its normal size. Which is pretty big to begin with, if I’m being totally honest.
Hair of the dog, I think to myself. That’s what I need.
Legend says that if you imbibe a bit of what bit you the night before, the “edge” is taken off and you start to feel better. The Bloody Mary is a popular choice in situations such as this, but I’m more of a gin fan, and was in the mood for something like a Bloody Mary, but a little more botanically enhanced, shall we say.
So I crafted myself a Red Snapper, today’s cocktail. A spicy, robust and full-bodied beverage that packs the kick of a Bloody Mary, but uses a crisp and herbaceous gin in place of vodka. After a sip or two, my eyes were opened wide and the volume of life began to lower.
The rest of my day? Blissfully lazy.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Red Snapper Cocktail?
With the swirling of savory and spicy elements, like Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and tomato juice, a London Dry gin is the recommended spirit. For a balanced tipple, a Tanqueray or Beefeater is a good choice, whereas a Bombay Sapphire is excellent for a more juniper-forward experience. The infusions from the liquor complement the hot and fiery ingredients it’s to be paired with, taking more of the spotlight in this fusion, as opposed to vodka, which tends to be better at disappearing in compositions like a Bloody cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 pinch celery salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 2 ounces gin
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 3 dashes hot sauce like Tabasco
- 1 celery stick to garnish
- 1 lemon wedge to garnish
Instructions
- Pour the celery salt and freshly ground black pepper onto a small plate. Rub a lemon wedge around the rim of a collins glass, then press the rim into the salt and pepper mixture to coat it.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Shake well for about 30 seconds until chilled.
- Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice and garnish with a celery stick and lemon wedge.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Coat the rim of a highball glass with the salt and pepper blend, then fill with ice and pour your cocktail in. Garnish with a fresh celery stick and lemon wedge on top.
Can you make this an alcohol-free recipe?
Yes. If you opt to not use any spirits in this concoction, you’ll be making a slightly different version of a Virgin Bloody Mary, which also includes dill pickle juice to taste.
Similar drinks to the Red Snapper cocktail
Curious about other complex-tasting and powerful potions like the Red Snapper? The Bloody Mary has inspired a few other sippers that will also blast your taste buds with a symphony of rich flavors, as well as the satisfying bite of your favorite spirit. Try these out the next time you need a morning pick-me-up after an all-nighter.
- Bloody Caesar – This Caesar hails from Canada, and uses Clamato juice instead of tomato.
- Bloody Maria – Tequila adds some Southwestern vibes and extra peppery notes to this elixir.
- Vampiro – The bite of tequila mixed with the robust richness of Sangrita.
- Michelada – This beer cocktail is spicy, tangy and refreshing.
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