Bloody Marias

Oh hey, 2013. You’re just around the corner. You’re going to be a good one, I just know it. You know how I know? Because 2012 was a ca-razy year. Truth be told, it was a bit of a rough one. There were some really good ups, but there were a lot of downs. We had some spills and tumbles. We had some moments of wanting to pull our hair out. We had some baking fails and some fights and some ugly-cry attacks in the bathroom at midnight. We had some I-shouldn’t-have-eaten-that-extra-scoop-of-ice-cream moments and Oh-my-gosh-give-me-that-extra-scoop-of-ice-cream moments. We had some times where we were sure of where we were going to live, and then we were so not sure of where we were going to live. We weren’t sure of where we were going, period. And yes, we know some of that stuff will happen again. Some of that stuff will still linger into the new year and we’re going to have to figure it out. But we also know that we’ve come a long dang way in 2012. So watch out, 2013. Because I’m so ready for you. I’ll be honest — I’m not the biggest fan of New Year’s. I’d much rather lounge around at home in my pajamas with my cat on my lap eating Chinese food and watching movies with the one I love than going out and partying like it’s 1999. I’ve been known to try and ignore the holiday altogether and even go to bed before midnight. In my twenties. Also: I’m the coolest. This year, we’ll be doing a bit of both, and I’m totally OK with that. We’re certainly not planning to need these bloody marias in the morning, if you smell what I’m stepping in, but we’re going to drink them anyway. Because they’re delicious. And I bet they’ll taste even better in 2013. In case you don’t know how to make a bloody mary, or a bloody maria — made with tequila instead of vodka — the concept is pretty simple: Pour a little bit of this and a little bit of that into a cocktail shaker, shake the heck out of it, strain and serve with a garnish or two or five. You can add more lime juice or take out the spice, throw in a dash of celery salt or a celery stick, muddle in some cilantro or leave it out. You can make it however you want it to be — kind of like the new year. So let’s make this a good one. Bloody Maria A Girl Versus Dough original (with pro tips from my husband, The Resident Bloody Mary Maker/Drinker) Yields: 1 cocktail Ingredients: Handful cilantro leaves (optional) Dash hot sauce (Cholula or Tobasco work best) Dash Worcestershire sauce 5 ounces chilled fresh tomato juice 2 ounces silver tequila 1 ounce fresh lime juice Dash chipotle chili powder (optional) Celery sticks and lime wedges for garnish (optional) Directions: Place a handful of cilantro leaves in the bottom of a glass. Use the back of a spoon to muddle the leaves slightly. Set aside. Place a few ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato juice, tequila, lime juice and chili powder. Give cocktail shaker a few good shakes. Strain mixture into prepared glass. Top with a few more ice cubes, garnish with a celery stick and a lime wedge and toast to the happiest new year yet.