This savory tomato beverage uses homemade Cowboy Candy Relish to provide jalapeño heat, gentle sweetness, vinegar, onion, garlic, celery seed, turmeric, and cayenne. Lime juice brightens the tomatoes, while Worcestershire sauce and a restrained amount of monosodium glutamate add savory depth.

Serve it alcohol-free for breakfast or add vodka or blanco tequila for brunch. Vodka creates a clean, traditional tomato cocktail, while tequila produces a more distinctive Southwestern variation.

Yield: Approximately six 8-ounce nonalcoholic servings or eight cocktails

Ingredients

• 48 ounces chilled tomato juice
• 1/4 cup Cowboy Candy Relish, stirred thoroughly before measuring
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon monosodium glutamate, optional
• 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum, optional and only if needed
• Additional Cowboy Candy Relish, to taste
• Cold water, only if needed
• Ice, for serving

Instructions

1. Stir the Cowboy Candy Relish thoroughly to distribute the jalapeños, onion, and syrup evenly.
2. Pour 2 cups of the tomato juice into the Vitamix container.
3. Add the Cowboy Candy Relish, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and monosodium glutamate.
4. Begin blending on low speed. Gradually increase to high speed and blend for 20 seconds, or until the relish is completely incorporated.
5. Add the remaining tomato juice. Blend on low speed for approximately 10 seconds, just long enough to combine everything without producing excessive foam.
6. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. For the most integrated flavor, refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
7. Stir well and taste while thoroughly chilled.
8. If the cowboy-candy flavor is too mild, blend in additional relish 1 tablespoon at a time.
9. If the beverage is too sweet, add lime juice 1 teaspoon at a time.
10. If it is too intense, salty, or thick, add cold water 1/4 cup at a time.
11. Serve in chilled glasses or over ice.

Optional Vodka Version

For one Cowboy Candy Bloody Mary:

• 6 ounces prepared Cowboy Candy Tomato Breakfast Cooler
• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• Ice

Fill a glass with ice. Add the vodka and prepared tomato beverage. Stir thoroughly and garnish as desired.

Vodka is the best choice when you want the tomato and Cowboy Candy Relish to remain the dominant flavors.

Optional Tequila Version

For one Cowboy Candy Bloody Maria:

• 6 ounces prepared Cowboy Candy Tomato Breakfast Cooler
• 1 1/2 ounces 100-percent-agave blanco tequila
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice, optional
• Ice

Fill a glass with ice. Add the tequila, prepared tomato beverage, and optional lime juice. Stir thoroughly and garnish as desired.

Blanco tequila is the recommended alcoholic variation because its bright agave and peppery notes complement the jalapeños, lime, and spices. Avoid strongly oaked tequila, which can introduce vanilla and wood flavors that compete with the tomato.

Optional Full-Batch Alcoholic Version

To convert the complete recipe into approximately eight cocktails, stir in:

• 12 ounces vodka or 100-percent-agave blanco tequila

Add the alcohol only after the tomato mixture has been chilled and adjusted. Serve 7 to 8 ounces per glass over ice.

Optional Xanthan Gum Adjustment

If the refrigerated beverage separates noticeably, return it to the Vitamix. Blend on low speed while gradually sprinkling in 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum. Continue blending for 10 to 15 seconds.

Do not add more than 1/8 teaspoon. Its purpose is to suspend the fine jalapeño and onion particles, not noticeably thicken the beverage.

Cook’s Notes

• Do not add separate celery seed, garlic, onion, cayenne, turmeric, sugar, vinegar, or salt. These ingredients are already present in the Cowboy Candy Relish.
• Stir the relish before measuring so each spoonful contains a balanced amount of vegetables and syrup.
• Do not add salt initially. The tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce may already provide enough sodium.
• Xanthan gum is unnecessary unless the finished beverage separates after refrigeration.
• Prepare alcoholic servings individually when serving a mixed group. This preserves the original virgin beverage and lets each guest choose vodka, tequila, or no alcohol.
• Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container and use within two days.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in chilled juice glasses or ice-filled cocktail glasses. Garnish with a lime wedge, thin jalapeño slice, or small portion of Cowboy Candy Relish on a cocktail pick.

Pair with scrambled eggs, breakfast tacos, quiche, biscuits, cheese grits, breakfast casserole, or sausage and eggs.

Beverage Suggestions

For a nonalcoholic brunch selection, serve alongside hot coffee, unsweetened iced tea, sparkling water with lime, or orange juice.