Mariner's Cookbook

Uncle Billy's Breakfast Tonic

Dec 12, 2024


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My Honey's Uncle Billy was a very affable man. I don't think he ever met anyone that he couldn't turn into a buddy. This was a very good thing in a salesman, and a salesman he was!

For many years, he started his day with a small libation. He called it his "poor man's bloody mary"; a concoction of tomato juice and beer. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? Well, surprise! Suitably seasoned, it is actually pretty good.

Now Uncle Billy didn't add much but salt and pepper to his drink, but I've found that addition of a few more things make it a pretty nice drink; so this isn't exactly his version, but I think it's a pretty good one. Try it yourself, and see what you think.

Print Recipe

Suggested Equipment:

  • Glass or ceramic mixing bowl, 4 cup capacity

  • Wire whisk or other stirring tool

Ingredients:

  1. V8 just happens to be my favorite vegetable juice mix. If you prefer, you can use straight tomato juice or some other tomato-heavy vegetable juice.

  2. Optional. Old Bay®, Zatarains®, or other commercial mix - or make your own: try this recipe.

Item Amount
V8 vegetable juice1 Nominal 12 floz can, chilled 2 ea
Beer Your favorite American brand, chilled 8 floz
Lemon juice 2 Tbs
Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp
Horseradish ½ tsp
Hot pepper sauce ½ tsp
Celery salt ¼ tsp
garlic powder tsp
onion powder tsp
Seafood seasoning mix2 Your favorite mix. tsp

Directions:

  1. Measure chilled vegetable juice and beer, as well as all other ingredients, into the mixing bowl, and stir gently but thoroughly.

  2. Decant the mixed drink into large tumblers. If desired, garnish with celery stalks and/or olives.

  3. Serve while still cold.

Makes several good-sized servings

A very nice way to start the day!

Drinks