Bloody Marys have the illustrious characteristic of being a staple cocktail for a variety of occasions, from brunch to tailgating, thanks to their rich, savory, and spicy combination. While a mixologist crafted Bloody Mary nearly always hits the spot, a Bloody Mary Mixer for at-home concoctions has been more elusive. We’ve tried pretty much each one available, usually reaching for Zing Zang. Still, we end up doctoring up our homemade ones with our own combination of spices, add-ins, and, of course, a dash of our original Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pepper Sauce.  

 Which always had us begging the question - shouldn’t we just be making our own? Of course, if you have tried as many pre-made cocktail mixers as we have, you would know that this is easier said than done. Some claim that a particular spice is the X factor, or prefer using clamato juice instead of tomato juice, while others like theirs with extreme levels of spice and heat.  

 So, as with anything else we create, it can only happen when the stars align —and by that, we really mean when our partners do.  We knew it would begin with the one ingredient we already use to make our Bloody Marys exactly the way we want them - our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-AgedPepper Sauce. Featuring ghost pepper mash, that secret ingredient, grown in the hot Georgia southern soil, from a Hawaii-born Ghost Pepper seed harvested and gifted to the family behind Midland Ghost. 

Specifically bred for its uniquely sweet and spicy flavor, it is then barrel-aged in our retired Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels to develop an additional layer of flavor, producing a sweet oaky heat that is subtle yet somehow pronounced, delicate yet bold, and with a level of spice that delivers, but rarely offends.  

 This, we knew, would be the flavor that was key to unlocking, at long last, the ultimate Bloody Mary Mix. It’s no coincidence that it is produced by a small family company that is entirely dedicated to maximizing the potential of one singular ingredient. When gifted the Ghost Pepper seed from Hawaii, the Lemieux family had a feeling that if they planted it in the rich Georgia soil and raised it in the thick Southern heat, they’d produce a pepper with sweet flavor and just the right amount of heat. One of those unexplainable notions - the belief that certain ingredients, under the correct circumstances, and the dedicated craftsmanship of an artisan, will produce something special. Something we happen to be familiar with. 

So, without further ado, enjoy our Pappy & Company Bloody Mary.  Delicious in a traditional Bloody Mary for slow, savored mornings, a Bloody Maria for a tangy tequila twist, or a surprisingly refreshing and bold Michelada, all with a dose of sweet Pappy Van Winkle infused heat. Cheers.