Vegetarian Bloody Marys

Today on Serious Eats: Confetti Quinoa Salad, a rainbow of vegan deliciousness that even the staunchest meaties will love.

Happy Labor Day, dear readers. Today is a day to celebrate the working people of America. For much of the country, that means picnics and cookouts. In New York City, a holiday Monday means brunch.

Now, I’m a teetotaler (for health reasons—you’ll get no moralizing from me), but I like a fancy beverage with my brunch as much as the next girl; and my favorite brunch mocktail is the Virgin Mary. First of all, I love tomato juice; I love spicy; and a virgin mimosa is just orange juice.

The problem as a vegetarian is that most restaurants use a premade Bloody Mary mix. Not only are those mixes often bland, the Worcestershire sauce is already in there, meaning the dang thing is not vegetarian.

Here’s my tried-and-true Vegetarian Virgin Mary recipe, perfect for your next brunch party or the next time you want some zesty vitamin C with your breakfast. It uses my homemade Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce, but you can find veggie versions in most natural food markets.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses to Mrs. and Mr. Kris and Husband, the loveliest, funniest, dancingest bride and groom on the Island of Long. Sláinte!

If you liked this recipe, you’ll likely enjoy:
Mint Limeade
White Wine Sangria
Cranberry and Blackberry Champagne Punch

Vegetarian Virgin Marys

makes 4 8-oz servings

32 oz (1 quart) tomato juice
2 tsp crushed celery seed
1 tbsp hot sauce (or to taste)
2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
juice of 1 lemon

1. Chill tomato juice in a medium pitcher.

2. Add crushed celery seed, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

3. Stir and pour into glasses. Garish with parsley, lime wedges, or celery.

4. Toast to your good friends.

Approximate Calories, Fat, Fiber, Protein, and Price per Serving
67.8 calories, 0g fat, 0g fiber, .5g protein, $.98

Caluculations
NOTE: I used organic tomato juice. Your cost will vary depending on the tomato juice you choose.
32 oz (1 quart) tomato juice: 240 calories, 0g fat, 0g fiber, 2g protein, $.3.49
2 tsp crushed celery seed: negligible calories, fat, fiber, protein, $.02
1 tbsp hot sauce (or to taste): negligible calories, fat, fiber, protein, $.04
2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce: 16 calories, 0g fat, 0g fiber, 0g protein, $.06
1 tsp salt: negligible calories, fat, fiber, protein, $.02
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper: negligible calories, fat, fiber, protein, $.02
juice of 1 lemon: 12 calories, 0g fat, 0g fiber, 0g protein, $0.25
Totals: 271 calories, 0g fat, 0g fiber, 2g protein, $3.92
Per serving (totals/4): 67.8 calories, 0g fat, 0g fiber, .5g protein, $.98

Photo by Brian Haskell