The Bloody Mary, the go-to hangover cure for many, is apparently the most difficult cocktail to make. US flavour expert Dr Neil Da Costa has made the claim, stating that the drink is the “most complex cocktail invented”. While the tomato and vodka based drink may not seem all that complicated to concoct, it’s apparently a very hard drink to do just right.

Dr Da Costa says he’s carried out research which discovered several key secrets to successful Blood Mary mixing but, rather cruelly, he isn’t sharing his knowledge with the rest of us. Thankfully, Mr Jwvan, one of London’s most experienced mixologists who works with Russian Standard Vodka is on hand to help.

Mr Jwvan says, “Bloody Mary cocktails are particularly personal to the individual drinking them and consist of the core ingredients of vodka and tomato juice (at a ratio of 1:2) spiced up with Tabasco, Worcestershire Sauce, salt and lemon or lime juice. But this is a drink with as many variations as there are possible ingredients with horseradish, beef consommé, clam juice, wasabi and sherry being a few examples."

Below is Mr Jwvan and Russian Standard's recipe for the ultimate Bloody Mary (or 'Masha' - the Russian name for mary)...

Ingredients

• 45ml Russian Standard Vodka
• 90ml tomato juice
• 15ml lemon juice
• 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 3 dashes hot sauce
• Celery salt and pepper to taste

Method

1) Combine all of the ingredients, vodka and tomato juice first followed by the other ingredients, in a cocktail shaker with cubed ice and shake to mix and chill the drink.

2) Strain the contents into an ice filled highball and garnish with a celery stick. Simple and delicious.

Top Tips

1) Fresh Ingredients are Key

Mr Jwvan says: "As with any recipe the quality of the ingredients is key to the quality of the end result. Poor quality ingredients will result in a poor quality drink. Even down to the quality of the ice used in shaking and on which the drink is served. Poor quality, wet ice will only serve to melt quickly resulting in an over dilute drink that will not be properly chilled."

2) Use Quality Tomato Juice

Mr Jwvan says: "In the same way that a deep, rich flavoured tomato juice with a good consistency makes the perfect medium in which to mix and suspend the many ingredients for a smooth and well textured drink."

3. Use Premium Vodka

Mr Jwvan says: "The use of a premium quality vodka, like Russian Standard Vodka, distilled to achieve maximal obtainable purity provides a neutral and clear base as well as adding that much desired kick."

Picture credit: Rex Images