Cheese And Blood Mary: The Perfect Pairing

A Bloody Mary is a cocktail made with tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. It is often garnished with celery, olives, and lemon wedges. However, the fun part about making Bloody Marys is that you can get creative with the garnishes! Some popular cheese garnishes for Bloody Marys include blue cheese-stuffed olives, cheddar cheese cubes, and skewers of brie and blackberries or yellow cheddar cheese and pickle chunks.

Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives

Ingredients:

• 15 large pitted green olives (Spanish Queen olives are recommended)
• 1 1/2 ounces of blue cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 ounce of cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon of heavy cream
• Cracked black pepper, to taste
• Parsley, diced, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Start by prepping the olives. Remove the olives from the brine and set them on paper towels to dry. If the olives have pits or are stuffed with peppers or garlic, carefully remove them using a small knife or a toothpick.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the blue cheese and cream cheese using the back of a spoon or a silicone spatula until smooth.
• Add a splash of heavy cream to achieve a creamy and smooth consistency.
• Spoon the filling mixture into a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with a small corner cut off.
• Gently pipe the blue cheese filling into each olive, being careful not to overfill.
• Place the stuffed olives in an airtight container and pour the reserved olive brine on top.
• Refrigerate the stuffed olives for at least 30 minutes to allow the filling to set and the flavours to meld.
• Before serving, sprinkle with cracked black pepper and diced parsley (if desired).

These Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives can be served as a snack with toothpicks, as a garnish in martinis or Bloody Marys, or on a charcuterie or cheese board. They are best served within a day or two for optimal freshness.

Cheddar Cheese Cubes

For a simple garnish, cut the cheddar into small cubes and add to a cocktail skewer, alternating with other ingredients such as pickles, olives, or even briny, garlic-stuffed olives. This adds a pop of colour and a burst of flavour to your drink.

If you're feeling creative, try making a cheddar cheese-stuffed olive. Simply stuff a large green olive with a small cube of cheddar, and place it on a skewer. This flavour combination is sure to impress your guests.

For a heartier option, assemble a Bloody Mary cheese plate. Slice or cut the cheddar cheese into cubes and arrange on a plate with other complementary ingredients such as baguette slices, celery, bacon, and hot sauce. This allows your guests to customise their drinks and create their own perfect pairings.

No matter how you choose to incorporate them, cheddar cheese cubes will surely enhance your Bloody Mary experience and impress your guests with your creativity.

Brie and Blackberries

If you're looking to add a touch of elegance to your Bloody Mary, consider skewering some blackberries and cubes of creamy brie. This combination is a delightful balance of sweet and savoury, adding a burst of flavour to your cocktail.

When creating your skewer, simply alternate between the blackberries and brie cubes until full. You can also get creative and substitute the brie with camembert or gouda for a different creamy element.

To take your presentation up a notch, try baking a wheel of brie with blackberries, walnuts, and honey. This easy-to-make appetizer is perfect for sharing and can be served with crackers or toasted baguette slices. Simply bake the brie until it's bubbling and oozing, then top with fresh basil for a delicious, savoury treat.

Whether you choose to skewer or bake your brie and blackberries, this flavour combination is sure to impress and elevate your Bloody Mary experience.

Yellow Cheese and Pickles

To make the perfect Yellow Cheese and Pickle Bloody Mary, you will need the following ingredients:

• Ice
• Tomato juice or vegetable juice
• Vodka
• Worcestershire sauce
• Hot sauce
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Yellow cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
• Pickles, cut into small chunks (you can use classic dill pickles, cornichons, or any variety of pickled cucumbers)

First, fill a cocktail shaker or glass with ice. Add the tomato juice or vegetable juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Shake or stir well to combine.

Next, prepare your skewers by alternating the cheddar cheese cubes and pickle chunks on a skewer or toothpick. You can also add other ingredients to your skewer, such as olives, celery, or meat.

Finally, pour the Bloody Mary mixture into a glass, add your skewer, and enjoy! You can also rim the glass with salt and pepper or celery salt for an extra touch.

Feel free to customise your Bloody Mary to your taste. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce and pepper to make it spicier, or add other ingredients such as garlic, horseradish, or herbs. The possibilities are endless!

White Cheese Curds and Beef

To make this combination, you will need one cup of white cheese curds and three to six beef sticks, cut into chunks. You can also buy pre-made Bloody Mary-flavoured cheese curds, which are infused with the delicious taste of Bloody Mary seasonings, providing a tangy and savoury note to your cocktail. These cheese curds are made from high-quality white cheddar cheese.

To assemble the skewer, simply cut the beef sticks into small chunks and alternate them with the white cheese curds on a skewer until filled. If you are using wooden skewers, it is recommended to soak them in water first to prevent splinters.

The White Cheese Curds and Beef combination is a delicious and savoury addition to your Bloody Mary, providing a hearty and mouthwatering experience.

Frequently asked questions