A spicy bloody Mary is a brunch staple and celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis makes a mean one. But before your mouth starts to salivate, don't expect her to use traditional ingredients to mix it up. Per her website , the cookbook author and entrepreneur puts an Italian spin on this classic brunch cocktail, shunning the conventional combination of tomato juice or v-8, tabasco sauce, horseradish, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Instead, De Laurentiis opts for using Calabrian chili paste, a sweet Italian tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, vodka, and of course, some garnishes that make you feel like you are at a feast in Pisa; however, if you want to transform this drink into a mocktail for your guests who don't consume alcohol, the blogger says to skip the vodka and use olive brine instead. Olive brine is the secret weapon in a hot and dirty martini , and you can turn your margarita into a Mexican martini by adding this sodium-rich liquid. But alcohol isn't always necessary for it to exercise its superpower.
As De Laurentiis notes, you can use a single tablespoon of your favorite salty green olive brine to keep the vibe of a bloody Mary while making it alcohol-free. This swap works because the vodka really isn't the showstopper of this drink. The tomato juice, along with the seasonings and spicy elements, create the hallmark flavor of this savory cocktail, so much so that no one will even miss the vodka.
Customize your mocktail Olive brine is a mix of water, vinegar, and salt .
