Plenty of celebs have their own tequila brands, but it’s rarer to see interest in gin. Hip hop legends Dre and Snoop are on it though, with a recent launch of their own ultra-premium gin — and one of the brand’s recipe suggestions is a controversial one that I’m hugely in favor of.
The recipe from Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop, which, as its name suggests, is a gin from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, is an alternative to the Bloody Mary which you’ll sometimes see called a Red Snapper. It replaces the vodka with gin, which is a change that I love — I find that the sharp, juniper notes of gin do a great job cutting through the thickness of the tomato juice, and help to add a pungent, almost herbal quality to the drink.
If you are ever in a bar, though, be careful when ordering a Red Snapper. Confusingly, the name can also apply to a sweet shot of cranberry, amaretto, and bourbon, which might be good for a party night but is a very different vibe from a causal, savory long drink that’s suited to brunch.
The best thing about a Bloody Mary or any of its variations is the ability to adjust the recipe to your own tastes, so feel free to add more or less horseradish and/or spicy Tabasco sauce depending on your heat tolerance, and play with pickles, citrus, and seasoning to find something you enjoy.
My personal secret favorite ingredient is a tiny slug of soy sauce to add an umami hit, which acts as a vegetarian alternative to Worcestershire Sauce as that traditionally contains fish.
Spicy Snapper
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Still G.I.N.
- 4 oz bloody mary mix
- Optional: ½ oz Worcestershire Sauce, ½ oz fresh lemon juice, ¼ oz pickle juice or pickle bitters, 1-2 TB of fresh horseradish, 2-6 dashes of hot sauce, celery salt, and pepper
Method:
- Rub the rim glass with lemon, then roll over a plate of celery salt, coating evenly.
- Combine all ingredients in a glass with ice and stir.
- Garnish with celery stalk and remaining garnishes.
