Stu's Kitchen | Chicago
Don't have a party without this bottle of brine from Stu's Kitchen
Midway through football season, the chips, dip and pigs-in-blankets are likely feeling a bit stale.
Leave it to Bloody Mary guru Stu Waters to add some unexpected brine to the equation.
His company, Stu's Kitchen, is best known for its pickles, but its Bloody Mary concentrate ($9 for 8 ounces) is a resourceful (and versatile) use of the pickle-making leftovers. Spice-packed brine is reduced, the resulting liquid intended to be diluted with tomato juice and booze.
Gin and vodka are natural pairings, but this versatile concoction works with mezcal, white whiskey and even beer, which mixes into an extra-savory michelada.
This fall, Stu's upped its Bloody ante, bottling 64-ounce growlers of mix, enough to serve around 15 thirsty football fans...or brunch-goers ($50; available online and at Binny's).
A Bloody Mary gets the Stu's treatment (Photos courtesy of Stu's Kitchen)
For a blowout affair, the company has also launched a full-service option: a Bloody Mary bar (starting at $500 for 15 people; email info@stuskitchen.com to book), which includes the mixer, tomato juice, garnishes, glassware, a bar setup and the Stu's team as bartenders.
You provide the booze and they bring, among other things, the key lime juice, ghost pepper hot sauce and sweet corn dust to rim the glass.
The inspiration for the Bloody Mary options? Says Waters, "We like to help people look like badasses."