Italian Bloody Mary

For the Drink Mix (This will yield 4 (5-ounce) servings)

You can easily doubles this recipe

1 cup tomato Juice  (I use V8 Juice- Low Sodium)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3-4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce 

1 teaspoon of fresh or prepared horseradish

2 dashes Hot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce )

1 teaspoon of celery salt

1 1/2 teaspoon of lemon pepper

1 medium fresh Basil Leaf, finely chopped

4 ounces of your favorite Vodka

Lemon wedges for the glasses

Kosher salt to rim the glasses

For the Garnish

4 (4-inch) thin wooden skewers 

4 garlic stuffed Olives ( I like hot red pepper stuffed olives- your choice)

8 mozzarella balls

1 1/2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto

4 ounces hard salami, cubed

4 thin ribs of celery , trimmed to fit the height of the glass

Parsley sprigs (optional)

Method

-In a large container, combine the first 8 ingredients, cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve ( You can also add the Vodka- than you are ready to go, when you guest arrive- just pour. If you have a non alcoholic guest, don't add the vodka )

-Make the garnishes, thread one olive, 2 mozzarellas  balls, a cube of salami, and some prosciutto; place them on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator , until ready to serve.

Chef Notes: I like alternate each garnish with a small piece of fresh basil in between each garnish)

-To serve the drink moisten the rim of each glass with a lemon wedge; then salt each rim with the kosher salt, add ice cubes, about 1/4 cup more or less.  Pour 1 ounce or more of vodka over the ice cubes, than fill the glass with the tomato mix, and stir (unless you have included the vodka- just pour the mix into the glass)

-Place the skewer garnish on the rim of each glass, and place one rim of celery in each glass

(Optional if you want, put a sprig of fresh parsley)