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9:44 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Yesterday, Fiona surprised me by suggesting a BM before our normal Saturday brunch. That was sometime around noon.
Yaaay! We had forgotten about this treat drink. I used to love it at weekends, just before brunch or lunch. Just one, mind. A second would probably make you muzzy for the early afternoon. It was a joy, and reminded us of past times when it was a regular noon time pick me up.
I used to be the chief cockatiler back then and sort of specialised in BMs. I kept a record of each variation I tried but that is lost now. Obviously, the principal ingredients are vodka (I think that a decent brand works best as opposed to a cheaper one), tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce and celery salt.
But does anybody have their own killer versions that they would like to share, to enhance everybody’s enjoyment?
Never knowingly underfed
10:03 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Oh Danny I don't, so can't help, but the memories and the taste of a BM is something to be savoured. ( By the way, I am at this moment in time enjoying a glass of Dow's Master Blend Late Bottled Vintage Port - wonderful) Now if I can do the maths tonight I shall post this!!!!!
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
10:07 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Danuta, I can tell that you are maybe just starting on your second - the math worked! 
Never knowingly underfed
10:15 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Yes, you are right but finished now. BMs remind me of happy times and I agree you need good vodka (Polish - got to go with my roots) Your version is what I remember but I too would like to read of other versions.
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
2:53 pm
Supreme Being
Wed 30-Dec-09
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Oh dear, I must be the saddest person on the forum -
(Hide my face) I have never tasted a BM ...............
However, while researching a recipe for Chocolatevole this morning (as promised), I came across a recipe, which I haven't seen before, but then no surprise there! 
Entitled: Un Bocal Toujours Plein which I understand to be
A bocal, I think, is a large Kilner-type jar, and during the fruit crop time of year, small amounts of fruits are layered into the jar, covered with sugar, and 'Eau-de-Vie', as and when you wish to add to it.
Implication is that it is known as "confiture de vieux garcon" - literally translated as "Old Boy's Jam" !!
Certainly sounds interesting - the sketch accompanying the recipe appears to be mostly, but not all, red soft fruits.
The last line reads "Don't forget the alcohol and sugar!"
Great Stuff! 
7:47 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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brightspark said:
Oh dear, I must be the saddest person on the forum -
(Hide my face) I have never tasted a BM ...............
Your not the only one but then again if I have more than a drop (and I do mean a drop) of red wine I don't feel too good, so no chance of me trying a BM. I may have a sip of Cream of Riga Balsam or the Riga Balsam with blackcurrant but they leave me gasping. I will stick to my cup of teas 
8:50 pm
Councillor
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Thu 7-Jan-10
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Never tasted a BM! But I just had a glass of the liquid/liqueur from a Rumtopf that I made this year. It isn't really a Rumtopf, because I used mostly vodka since I don't much like rum and just added a little at the end. Apparently the Germans use 54% (108 proof) rum--I didn't. I did use only homegrown fruit: raspberries, pears, and apples. Next time I will start with whitecurrants, or maybe strawberries if I get them before the slugs do and there are enough.
Un Bocal Toujours Plein sounds like a French version of the same basic idea--fruit, some sugar (the recommended amount seems to vary a lot), covered with rum, topped up with more fruit, sugar, and rum as different fruits ripen, and then left in the dark for 2 or 3 months, which conveniently takes you to Christmas. The fruit is delicious with ice cream, the liqueur is delicious. It can't be too strong if I can still do the maths....
blog: Devon Garden
2:35 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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We ran out of tomato juice one weekend a few weeks ago and tried some home made passata from the summer crop.
That was a whole different better flavour, almost like a tomato gazpacho, seeds and all. Sadly, it did not last long and we had to go back to juice today. It takes about a kilo of tomatoes to make half a litre of passata (enough for 4 BMs). Luckily we had already planned to grow loads more tomatoes this year. I will happily help with the tending chores knowing what a good use the end product will be put to
Never knowingly underfed
4:10 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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I intend to grow loads of tomatoes for bottling this year. At least by then we should have our humoungous poly tunnel by then and you never know by the end of the season we may even have two
9:57 pm
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Sun 7-Mar-10
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Try your bloody Mary with a shot of good sherry as well as the vodka, oh and a drop or two of Tabasco. It takes it to a new level. 🙂
Simon
A well fed rat is a HappyRat  
  A smile a day keeps the psychiatrist away.
10:34 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Ah yes, the Tabasco! Thanks for the reminder, Simon. We had forgotten that.
We did try sherry once but it just was not to our taste.
Good to have a fellow BM afficionado on board 
Never knowingly underfed
8:33 pm
Expert
New members
Sun 17-Jan-10
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I am not a fan of the Bloody Mary, but I do appreciate a shot of vanilla vodka, 3 shots of dry ginger ale and the juice of half a lime, served over ice. A mint leaf of two can add to the nasal assault if you like.
My payday lunchtime treat in my favourite bar in Belfast.
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