The Red Snapper Cocktail is a Bloody Mary with Gin! Substitute vodka for this classic cocktail and you have a completely different (and delicious) drink.
Here’s a tasty take on a classic: the Red snapper cocktail! The name does not give this drink away: although it is both red and lively. But it hides a secret: It’s basically a classic Bloody Mary with gin. Changing the vodka results in a whole new drink: hearty, tangy, tangy, flavorful, with hints of botany in the gin finish. It’s a fun twist on the norm: and more to surprise your guests with this unique twist.
What’s in a Red Snapper Cocktail?
The Red Snapper is a gin variation of the 1960s Bloody Mary. The Bloody Mary itself was invented in the 1920s and became popular around the world as a brunch drink and cure for hangovers. Wooden. The Red Snapper cocktail, unique to the Bloody Mary, was first published in London Magazine in 1962 (source). Though it never gained the popularity of the original, it’s a unique trick that’s totally worth trying.
The ingredients of a red snapper cocktail are:
- gin
- tomato juice
- lemon juice
- horseradish
- Worcester sauce
- Tabasco sauce
- celery salt
- Black pepper
The gin for a red snapper
There are so many flavors in a red snapper, so this is the kind of cocktail you can get away with on a cheap gin. The better the gin, the better the drink! But it’s not like a martini or a gin and tonic where it’s all about gin. Here are a few things you should know:
- Each bottle of gin tastes a little different and has different botanical aromas. Experiment to find your favorite!
- We love Malfy Ginso that’s what we used here.
- Avoid Tanqueray Gin: In our opinion there is a strong floral quality.
How to Make a Red Snapper Cocktail (Basic Method)
Many of our cocktail recipes are for 1 drink. But this one breaks the mold and makes a mix for 4 glasses! It’s easier to brew in bulk, and if you just want one drink, you can refrigerate the rest and it will get better over time. How to make a red snapper:
- If possible, chill the tomato juice and gin first. This allows the drink to be chilled without having to use too much ice to dilute it.
- Shake in a shaker without ice cubes. The best way to prepare a red snapper is not to shake it or stir it with ice like you would any other cocktail. Why? It dilutes the mixture too much and gives a watery consistency. Simply stir the mixture without ice, then serve over ice. This results in a perfect thick consistency and taste.
- Filter and if time allows, cool. Straining removes the horseradish bits from the drink: a cocktail strainer is best (although you can use any strainer you have). If you have time, refrigerate the mixture for about 1 hour or overnight to blend the flavors. But if you want it on request, serve it right away.
- Glaze and decorate! Serve over ice with your choice of toppings.
Refrigeration blends flavors (optional)
Of course, we know you want to drink your Red Snapper cocktail right away! And you can. But it tastes even better after 1 hour of chilling, or even better overnight. Why? Chilling will help all the ingredients blend into a cohesive flavorinstead of trying them all individually. Since you typically make red snapper cocktails for brunch or entertainment, it should be fairly easy to make the mix ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to serve.
Best Red Snapper Toppings
There’s nothing like a Bloody Mary to inspire creativity when it comes to toppings! Basically everything that is put in is fine. Here are some popular red snapper toppings to try:
- celery (mandatory!)
- lemon slices
- Olives stuffed with chili
- Cocktail Onions
- pepperoni
- Dill pickle tips
- Pickled vegetables : Jalapeno peppers, pickled okra, pickled cauliflower, or pickled asparagus
Cocktail picks or skewers work best for serving
Garnishes are easiest to serve on cocktail sticks or skewers. (Of course, if you’re alone, you can throw them all away!) Thread all your accompaniments onto the skewers or skewers, which look lovely and help make the cocktail easy to drink. Here are the bamboo cocktail picks we use.
Varieties of Bloody Mary
If you love this red snapper cocktail, there are many Bloody Mary variations to try:
This Red Snapper Cocktail recipe is…
Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan (with vegan Worcestershire sauce), plant-based and dairy-free.
The description
The Red Snapper Cocktail is a Bloody Mary with Gin! Substitute vodka for this classic cocktail and you have a completely different (and delicious) drink.
- 2 cups Tomato juice, fresh
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (vegan of choice)
- 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
- ½ teaspoon Hot Tabasco sauce
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup (8 ounces) gin, chilled
- Ice to serve (try clear ice!)
- For the rim: Old Bay seasoning (store-bought or homemade) and kosher salt
- For the garnish: celery, lemon wedge, olive, cocktail onion (use cocktail skewers if necessary)
- If time permits, keep the tomato juice and gin in the fridge. Shake the tomato juice before pouring.
- In a large shaker, combine tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, Tabasco, celery salt, and black pepper. Shake well to combine (no ice). Strain into a mason jar or small pitcher.
- Optional: If time permits, refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor. (Or make ahead and store for up to 1 week.) Serve right away, though!
- To serve, place a mixture of about half kosher salt and half Old Bay seasoning (or celery salt) on a plate. Cut a notch in a lemon wedge, then run it around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the brim in a plate of salt.
- In each glass, add 2 ounces (¼ cup) gin and ½ cup red snapper mix, stirring gently to combine. Fill the glass with ice and add the garnishes.
- Category: drink
- Method: shakes
- Kitchen: cocktails
- Diet: vegetarian
Keywords: Red snapper cocktail
More gin drinks
Gin is the star of so many great cocktails! Here are some great gin cocktails:
- Gin Gimlet A classic cocktail made with lime juice, simple syrup and gin. Totally refreshing!
- Gin Fizz A super classic, this drink is sweet, tart and topped with a frothy protein froth.
- Tom Collins Light, bubbly, tangy and just plain fun.
- Bramble Wash down a tart, citrusy gin with sweet blackberry liqueur for a mind-blowing drink.
- Aviation Cocktail A 1900’s mixed drink with a beautiful purple hue!
- Martinez Cousin of the Martini and the Manhattan, he is sophisticated and classy.
- Last Word This pale green classic is beautifully balanced between tangy, sour and sweet.
- Gin Gin Mule A gin-based version of the Moscow Mule.
- Gin Sour The gin version of a Whiskey Sour or Pisco Sour.
