Michael Pham
The Standard Bloody Mary combines spices, hotness, umami and salt to create a delicious, flavorful cocktail that's perfect for dinner. However, a new local blend called La Otra Maria contains several interesting ingredients not commonly found in traditional blends.
The Other Mary is a collaboration between West Ashley's Gina Moore of Plow Mud Mercantile and John Uroka of Indigo Ink Marketing. A blend of spices and spiciness with hints of island spices and real wasabi will set your taste buds on fire.
“[Before] I never drank a Bloody Mary,” Moore said. “I didn't like them. I wanted them to like it. They look good. They look healthy. But every time I tried them, they fell off.
Moore went on a journey to create the drink he really wanted, something different and unique to him. While experimenting with spices in tomato juice, Moore said he thought of Sea Island Spices on Edisto Island, where he has lived for 13 years. These spices, according to Moore, are rich in cayenne and spicy flavors.
His childlike taste of bamboo also inspired Moore. In his original recipe, he added ingredients found in bamboo, such as bay leaves, celery and green onions, as well as spices from the sea islands. After her first attempt with the mixture, she sought a second opinion.
And here comes the lesson. He previously spoke to Moore about releasing Bloody Mary mixes under his other label, Shakeable.
“Because of the oysters and Bloody Marys, it always made sense for me to cook them once in a while,” Lessance said. “And then one day he came to me and said:“ I have an idea, a recipe and a name. When he told me this, I said, “Forget your style. I want to join this business."
The couple worked with a packer to improve the flavor of The Other Mary. As for the spiciness, Moore said horseradish was too boring, and to make it stand out from other concoctions, Lessens and Moore agreed to add real wasabi. Contrary to popular belief, the wasabi found in grocery stores isn't actually wasabi, but dyed horsemeat, according to Moore and Lessens, which is why they got real wasabi. The next batch of mixes will include wasabi from a farm in North Carolina.
“We had no idea that wasabi actually made it sweet,” Moore said. “So it takes that sour taste away and fills in all the other spices. You have a little fever in your back, but your sinuses don't hurt.
Moore wanted to add okra for a green tint, but said she was worried the soft texture would ruin the stickiness. The next option was green beans, but it would be very difficult to find them. As a compromise, Packer offered spinach, which Lessance and Moore agreed to.
“I remember the first time we added wasabi,” says Lessance. “I have the taste of a baby, so it can’t be hot.” But when we added it, it really helped balance the spiciness."
Moore added. “So it was great that John tried it for his kid's taste. "We want something savory and a little spicy, but not too much."
Order 32 oz. Mix or find a bottle of The Other Mary Bloody Mary at theothermarymix.com.
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