Homemade Bloody Mary Cocktails

In a blender, combine the tomato juice, vodka, cucumber, vinegar, celery seed, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Securely fasten the lid and blend on high speed until completely smooth.

Taste, and add more hot sauce for more heat (it’s going to taste quite intense now, since the mix hasn’t cooled over ice yet). Add the black pepper and garlic. Securely fasten the lid and blend for just a few seconds (or longer, for a completely smooth texture). Taste, and stir in ¼ teaspoon salt for more overall flavor if you’d like (tomato juice brands vary by salt content, so this is really up to you). Set aside.

If you’d like to rim your glasses with salt, run a lemon or lime wedge around the outside rim. Pour kosher salt onto a small plate (mix in chili powder if you’d like), and roll the wet edge of the glass across the salt at a 45-degree angle. Repeat with the remaining glasses.

Fill the glasses with ice, and pour the Bloody Mary mix on top. Stir with a spoon, and garnish with a lemon or lime wedge and garnishes of your choice. Serve immediately.