Chilled Bloody Mary Soup
Equipment
- blender
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Kitchen Knife
- large saucepan
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 2 teaspoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 small Yellow Onion chopped
- 1 small Red Bell Pepper cored, deseeded and diced
- 1 large Celery Stalk sliced
- 333 g Plum Tomatoes chopped
- 600 ml Gluten-Free Vegetable Stock
- 1⅓ teaspoons Granulated Sugar
- 2⅔ teaspoons Gluten-Free Worcestershire Sauce
- 2⅔ teaspoons Tomato Purée
- 2⅔ tablespoons Vodka
- ¼ teaspoon Tabasco Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
For Serving
- 1 teaspoon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 4 small Celery Stalks with Leaves
- ¼ teaspoon Coarsely Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
Cook the Soup
- Heat 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Add the red bell pepper, sliced celery, and chopped tomatoes.
- Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the gluten-free vegetable stock.
- Add the granulated sugar, Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
- Bring the soup to a boil.
- Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
Blend and Chill
- Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Allow the soup to cool slightly.
- Blend the soup in batches until completely smooth.
- Pass the soup through a fine-mesh sieve for a finer consistency when desired.
- Return the soup to the saucepan.
- Stir in the vodka and Tabasco sauce.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning when necessary.
- Transfer the soup to a covered container.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until thoroughly chilled.
Serve the Soup
- Stir the chilled soup before serving.
- Divide it among four small glasses or soup bowls.
- Garnish each serving with a small celery stalk.
- Drizzle with the remaining extra-virgin olive oil.
- Finish with coarsely ground black pepper.
- Serve the Chilled Bloody Mary Soup cold.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup thoroughly chilled in small glasses as an appetizer or in bowls as a light starter. Garnish it with celery leaves, diced cucumber, fresh basil, or a thin slice of lemon.Recipe Notes
Use gluten-free vegetable stock and Worcestershire sauce when preparing the recipe for a gluten-free diet. Add the Tabasco gradually because its heat can intensify while the soup chills. Straining is optional but produces a smoother finish.Alcohol-Free Variation
Omit the vodka to create a Virgin Mary soup. Add one tablespoon of basil pesto or sun-dried tomato paste for extra depth. Check that the pesto is suitable for the required diet because traditional pesto contains dairy and nuts.Storage
Store the chilled soup in a covered container in the refrigerator and consume it within three days. Stir thoroughly before serving because some separation may occur. Freezing is possible before adding the vodka, although the texture may change slightly after thawing.Wine Advice
A crisp Sauvignon Blanc complements the tomatoes, celery, and gentle chilli heat. A dry rosé is another suitable choice for a summer lunch or festive appetizer.Nutrition values
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About Chilled Bloody Mary Soup
Chilled Bloody Mary Soup transforms the familiar cocktail into a smooth and savoury appetizer. Plum tomatoes, red pepper, celery, Worcestershire sauce, vodka, and Tabasco create the recognisable balance of tomato, spice, acidity, and gentle heat. Serve it in small glasses for a party or in bowls as a refreshing summer starter.
The vegetables are cooked before blending, which develops a deeper flavour than a completely raw tomato soup. Chilling allows the individual flavours to settle and blend. The vodka is stirred in after cooking, so its characteristic flavour remains noticeable in the finished soup.
Choosing the Tomatoes and Vegetables
Ripe plum tomatoes are ideal because they contain plenty of flesh and relatively few seeds. Select tomatoes with a deep red colour and a fragrant aroma. If fresh tomatoes are unavailable, drained canned plum tomatoes can be used, although the final consistency and flavour may differ slightly.
Red bell pepper adds natural sweetness and supports the soup’s bright colour. Celery supplies the savoury flavour associated with a Bloody Mary cocktail. Cut the vegetables into evenly sized pieces so they soften at approximately the same rate.
Building the Savoury Flavour
Worcestershire sauce provides acidity, salt, and umami. Traditional Worcestershire sauce usually contains anchovies, making this soup suitable for pescatarians but not vegetarians or vegans. Use a clearly labelled gluten-free product when preparing the recipe for someone who avoids gluten.
A small amount of sugar balances the natural acidity of the tomatoes without making the soup sweet. Tomato purée intensifies the tomato flavour, while Tabasco introduces heat and additional vinegar. Begin with a modest quantity of hot sauce and add more after the soup has chilled.
Blending and Straining
Allow the cooked mixture to cool slightly before blending. Process it in batches when using a countertop blender and avoid overfilling the jug. Hot liquid can expand quickly, so hold the lid securely with a folded kitchen towel and begin at a low speed.
Straining the blended soup is optional. Passing it through a fine-mesh sieve removes tomato skins, seeds, and vegetable fibres, producing a refined consistency suitable for serving in glasses. Leave it unstrained when you prefer a thicker, more rustic tomato soup.
Serving Ideas
Serve the chilled tomato vodka soup in small glasses as an amuse or appetizer. For a light lunch, divide it among bowls and add celery leaves, diced cucumber, fresh basil, or finely chopped red pepper. A drizzle of olive oil gives the surface an attractive finish.
Pair it with our Zesty Marinated Vegetables for a colourful summer menu. It also works well before a serving of Creamy Avocado Potato Salad. Add toasted bread or savoury crackers when serving the soup as a light meal.
Preparing an Alcohol-Free Version
For Virgin Mary soup, omit the vodka and add a little extra vegetable stock or tomato juice. Sun-dried tomato paste, fresh basil, or dairy-free pesto can provide additional depth. Check the ingredients carefully because traditional pesto commonly contains Parmesan cheese and nuts.
The alcohol-free version is suitable for children and occasions where alcohol is unwanted. Keep the Tabasco mild or serve it separately so everyone can adjust the heat to personal preference.
Storage and Food Safety
Refrigerate Chilled Bloody Mary Soup for at least two hours before serving. Store it in a clean, covered container and consume it within three days. Stir thoroughly before dividing it among glasses or bowls because some separation can occur during chilling.
Do not leave the soup at room temperature for extended periods, particularly during summer parties. Follow current FDA safe food-handling guidance when cooling, refrigerating, and serving prepared foods.
Its bold tomato flavour, smooth texture, and spicy cocktail-inspired seasoning make Chilled Bloody Mary Soup a memorable cold starter for brunches, holidays, and parties.