If you have been invited to visit friends at their lake or beach home this summer, you most certainly will take something to say thank you but it isn’t always easy to figure out what to take. I’ve got the perfect answer for you- make them a Bloody Mary gift basket! This is always a favorite when I show up with it- and it is so easy to assemble.

Get a nice, sturdy basket. I get mine at the farmer’s market.

Start with your favorite Bloody Mary mix. I like Zing Zang, Major Peters, McClure’s, and Tabasco. Sometimes, I make my own and bottle in canning jars, but it has to be kept cool. Here is that recipe.

Next, add some or all of the following:

VODKA
HOT SAUCE
OLD BAY SEASONING
PICKLED OKRA- Wickles makes a good one!
CORNICHONS OR PETITE PICKLES
PICKLED GREEN BEANS
PICKLED PEARL ONIONS
CELERY SALT
HORSERADISH
GREEN OLIVES
PRETTY COCKTAIL NAPKINS
STIRRERS
FUN PLASTIC CUPS (some places will not allow glass on the beach, so disposable or reusable plastic is good. Swoozie’s has fun ones, and you can always find them on Etsy or Amazon.)

You can add fresh peppers from your garden, too, if you have them.

Wrap it all up with cellophane and tie it with a bow. Your hostess will love it!

Something about football screams Bloody..... Mary:)

I'm not sure where it started, but no tailgate worth it's ribs would be complete without a Bloody Mary. And just like ribs, potato salad, and gumbo, everyone has a recipe (most very closely guarded secrets) for the world's best Bloody Mary. I've researched. I've asked my friends. I've taste-tested, mixed, and poured. Now, I'd like to offer my own entry into the Bloody Mary Hall of Fame. Try one this weekend and let me know what you think!

Put a garden in your glass with this Bloody Mary recipe perfect for brunch or game day get-togethers.

MARTIE'S CLASSIC BLOODY MARY

Makes about a quart of mix; enough for 6-8 drinks

In a blender add:

3 cups tomato juice

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 1/4 tablespoons horseradish (fresh or jar)

2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco

1/4 teaspoon celery salt (plus more for rimming the glasses)

1/3 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Whir everything together until smooth, transfer to a glass pitcher and chill. Before serving, assemble your mix-ins, garnishes, and rim mix.

Rim mix: Pour 1/4 t. celery salt, 1/4 t. Kosher salt, 1/4 t. black pepper onto a saucer. To rim glasses, use a lemon or lime wedge to wet the rim of the glass. Dip the rim into the mix.

To serve: Add one ounce good quality vodka (I often use Absolut Peppar for a spicy kick) to each glass. Fill with ice. Pour Bloody Mary mix over ice. Let guests garnish at will.

Garnish and mix-in options:

Limes, cut into wedges

Lemons, cut into wedges

Celery stalks with the leafy green tops

Pickled green beans

Pickled okra

Green onion stalks

Tabasco

Additonal Horseradish