My family lives in Minnesota, so I’m partial to “Up North” Bloody Marys, garnished with a small bounty of celery, smoked beef sticks, olives, and pickled vegetables. In fact, the glass is so loaded with snacks that I’m pretty sure you can technically call this elixir a salad or small meal. Using a smoking gun (I use this Breville model) is a fun way to infuse the liquid base with a smoky nuance–and a cool party trick. The tangy, herby notes of Potato Slayer seasoning make the perfect rim for this beloved brunch elixir. Go ahead and serve it Midwestern-style, with a short beer chaser.
Vodka is the classic spirit, of course, but you can use gin, tequila, or mezcal if you prefer. The fish sauce is optional, but it adds an alluring umami depth to the drink. Bloody Marys are a personal affair, so adjust the lemon, horseradish, and hot sauce to your preference.
Place the Potato Slayer on a small plate. Use a lemon wedge to moisten the rim of two pint glasses, then coat the rims in the seasoning.
Combine the tomato juice, vodka, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and fish sauce in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
To smoke the mixture, add a pinch of wood chips to the burn chamber of a smoking gun. Place the hose in the cocktail shaker with the end above the liquid, and partially cover the shaker with the lid. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ignite the wood chips and smoke for a few seconds, until the shaker is filled with a dense smoke. Remove the hose, close the shaker, and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
Divide the drink between 2 tall pint glasses (adding more ice as needed) and garnish as desired.
Recipe Note
If you don't have a smoking gun or prefer not to smoke the drink, simply omit step 3 and you'll still have an amazing Bloody Mary.