One of the key differences between the English and the Americans (besides the teeth) is the alcohol consumption.
63% of American adults drink vs 90% of English adults.
WOAH.
There is also a big difference in the way people approach alcohol. Most Americans I know do drink a bit …. but only in the evenings and in moderation. Having gotten drunk is a cause for comment.
The loveable English, on the other hand, consider every ‘event’ cause for adult themed celebrations.
Friday lunchtime! The start of summer! The depression of winter! Finishing a country walk! A christening! A wedding!
(Because really, what is a wedding, if not a pissup where you get to choose all the guests…)
Even breakfast time has it’s own special drink. Which brings us neatly to the Bloody Mary. Or, as I am illustrating it, the Bloody Maria.
Now, it’s hard to paint any cocktail as being a must-have on the nutritional front. Truth is (from a health perspective) you are nearly always better off giving the spirits a miss …..
But sometimes you aren’t coming at life from a health perspective, are you? Sometimes you just want to channel your inner girl party hosting, stripey top and big sunglass wearing, total sex and the city wanna-be, cocktail drinking self.
And luckily - since I just admitted I’m a health-nut who is partial the occasional booze up at breakfast - the Bloody Maria has considerably more going for it that most cocktails … Plus, (most importantly of all) it’s one of the only cocktails where it’s actually easy to stop at one.
Let’s talk!
Firstly; Tomato juice (sorry – the tomatoes above are not actually included in the recipe, they’re so much prettier than tomato juice…)
Tomato juice = vitamin C. Vitamin C helps you to meet your quota and helps you to absorb more iron, particularly iron from vegetable sources. It might not be the healthiest thing I eat all week but I LOVE having my weekend Bloody Maria with poached egg, spinach and Hollandaise sauce (Eggs Flortentine) … and it’s nice to know I am getting at least some nutritional benefit from doing so.
(More than if I was drinking my beloved wine anyhow)
Tomato juice is also filled with lypocene, a strong anti-oxidant that can help to fight cancers of all kind. And horseradish is in the same category as garlic; one of those power herbs that seems do everything from function as anti-microbal, to stimulating the immune system. Aaaaand if you make your Bloody Maria spicy (which you must) you may also be raising your metabolism a tiny bit, just by virtue of eating spice.
(Which, of course, cancels out the Hollandaise sauce)
Plus, note that celery stick hanging out in your drink? Not exactly a serving, but you have to buy a whole celery just to get that stick. Therefore making it likely you’ll overdo it with an indulgent brunch and just have crudite with hummus for dinner.
See….?
Personally, I’m always up for starting on the hot sauce at the earliest possible opportunity.
I did tell you about the Tabasco.
The Perfect Bloody Maria
Serves 1
Traditionally made with vodka I actually prefer this tequila infused version; known as the Bloody Maria. I’m also (will miracles never cease) genuinely partial to the occasional Virgin Maria. It’s a delicious way to get exclusively the benefits of the drink. Something about spicy tomato juice just pairs perfectly with any savoury breakfast – from eggs and smoked salmon, to sausages to bacon. It even seems to compliment fruit salad!
Ingredients
- 1 shot of Tequila (or two if you are feeling very frisky!)
- Chilled Tomato Juice. In the UK, Eager make the best brand!
- 1/4 teaspoon of horseradish
- dash of Worcester sauce
- dash of Tabasco
- pinch of smoked paprika
- pinch of chili powder
- celery stick. To serve as both garnish and a straw!
Optional
- pinch of garlic powder
- splash of sherry
Directions:
- Pour Tequila (and sherry, if using) over a glass full of ice, and then add a splash of tomato juice.
- Add all additions, give a good stir and then garnish with a celery and an extra pinch of smoked paprika. Be sure to serve with a good jug of water and have some fresh coffee or tea on the go for later!
Nutrition: Calories 135, Protein 1g, Fat 0g, Carbohydrates 7g
Nutritional Highlights: Vitamin A 24%, Vitamin c 59%. Rich in lycopene, which is increasingly associated with reduced risk of cancer, particularly prostate.
Hiya! My name is Emilia. I'm a certified Nutrition Educator and Natural Chef. On Wine and Butter I post recipes, nutrition tips.. and sometimes just my food related ramblings.
My aim is to combine a fun and foodie lifestyle with healthy ways and traditional nourishing food.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
YUMMMM! I lovelovelove tomato juice with all of my heart. I think this looks like an amazing recipe. My MIL (mother-in-law) loves bloody mary’s so I will definitely have to make her these!
Also, I LOVE that Brits are all about celebrating. I am a fan!
Oooh you need to make her one with tequila my love – DEFINITELY!!
ALL about the celebrations here for sure – any progress with your visit…????
Great photos, Em! I’m now craving tomato juice … x
I do love how the English celebrate the little things in life
I mean why not celebrate that afternoon walk or that it’s Friday! People may not necessarily drink a lot of cocktails in California, but they drink a lot of wine. I have never been a big drinker and would have an occasional glass of wine here or there but this past December and January I was consuming at least 3 glasses a week and I could feel a difference in my body and energy level. I decided to take a little detox break from alcohol for the next few months.
I love how you can switch it up a bit on your blog with your healthy recipes and then your fun recipes for everyone. I have that concern on my blog. I have friends who want the family friendly recipes and those that are vegetarian and vegan who want the healthy mommy recipes. I am trying to do a little of both now as to make it a bit more balanced between the two.
Your Bloody Maria looks beautiful and I do love the rustic backdrop in the photo. You have to pin that photo!
It’s true about the celebration – and agreed on the wine … but still not as much as here!
One of my favourite memories is one of my US childhood friends visiting me here and coming over to my English BFF’s house. My English BFF’s mum was having gin and tonic in the garden with her friends (standard UK behaviour) and my US friend whispered to me ‘WOW – X’s mom is drinking hard liqour in the AFTERNOON’. She was scandalised
I know what you mean about feeling better with less wine though… and I definitely find it easier to give a miss when I’m in the States
AND totally agree on liking to do a mix of recipes… people always say its more ‘marketable’ or ‘bloggy’ to stick to one genre … but I eat such a mix I would find that impossible… I’m glad you approve! Hope you and the kids have a great weekend! x
Hey now, North Americans have been known to imbibe a little at brunch too! One of my favourite brunch places in Chicago serves a mean Bloody Mary, and it comes with a little 100 mL glass of beer too!
Your Bloody Maria looks gorgeous. I rarely mix drinks at home, but maybe the next brunch I host…
LOVE this recipe!!
I’m going to go ahead and say that statistic does not include New Orleans! Haha.
Every brunch place and bar here has Bloody Mary’s. We have two famous mixes – Zing Zang and Pat O’s.
They are so popular, that most people refer to them as “Bloodys” haha!
I like your recipe though! Very simple! I’ve never had one with tequilla.
This sounds delicious.
I should have been born English.
I wish you had been!
Beautiful pictures! And I’m just going to say right now that I love you. I use my nutrition knowledge to justify Bloody Marys all the time. If you garnish with a shrimp (which I do for special occasions) its basically a complete meal.
YES!! But do you need some carbs too….??? Better finish off with a cookie!!
xox
Your comparison of americans and brits is so true. we need more adult celebrations for sure in the new world! Gorg fotos too.
Your post tickled me. At a hostel I stayed at in Germany, I met a group of English people who were a blast to hang out (drink) with. Definitely a riot. I’ve never had a wonderful bloody mary, which gives me a great reason to try out your recipe. Thanks for the idea!
Oh you read my mind. LOVE. This is the perfect hangover drink too (a touch of hair of the dog works wonders! Ha.) I love mine super spicy, and I agree you need the best quality tomatoes … and super crisp celery. I reckon a tiny touch of raw sugar/agave helps that tomato flavour really pop too – plus HEAPS of salt. Cheers! (Clinking a glass with you over the intra-web) x
well, i think should be english.
Never had a bloody Mary. My boyfriend keeps promising to make me one, now I have a great recipe for him.
Oh dear, this is so true – the Brits do drink a lot more than their American cousins! My boyfriend tried a bloody mary for the first time last weekend (I know, call himself british?!) and absolutely fell in love with them. I think they’re great too – sweet, salty, spicy and delicious. And (almost) as good without the alcohol…
So fabulous. I love it with tequila too. Have to say, there are some bits of life in London that suit me. The propensity to pour a drink every now and again is one of them.
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