Bloody Mary's

No Christmas Day would be complete without a large jug of fiery Bloody Marys.

I am proud to say my BM's have taken on almost mythical status! I keep a bottle of vodka in the freezer which has two halved habanero chillis stuffed in it. The longer you leave it the stronger it gets obviously, and mine is now in its second year so is pretty much like liquid fire. If you use this stuff you certainly won't need any tabasco! The secret ingredients in my recipe is sherry (in ratio of 1:2 with vodka) and creamed horseradish.

To make up a jug I would use:

1000ml tomato juice

200ml 'chilli' vodka (if it has been sitting around for a while and has become very fiery water it down 50/50 with ordinary vodka or even more, depends on strength)

100ml dry sherry

2 heaped tsp creamed horseradish

juice of half lemon

salt and pepper

2 tbsp worcester sauce

tabasco (if needed!)

and serve in long glasses with lots of ice and celery sticks.

Salute!