Bourbon & Bacon Bloody Mary

It is the best time of the year in Kentucky.

It is basketball season!

That means from here until April, my family along with thousands of other Kentuckians will be spending their weekends cheering for either University of Kentucky (Go CATS!) or the University of Louisville's basketball teams. And like a true Kentucky woman, I will be spending that time cheering on my team with a drink in hand that will most likely be infused with my favorite spirit: bourbon.

My favorite midday Game Day cocktail is this Boozy Bourbon and Bacon Bloody Mary that isn't just a drink, but also a delicious appetizer. It is piled with bacon, my favorite Lindsay Olives that taste so delicious, tomatoes, cheese, and whatever else you want to throw in there. Yes, us Kentucky girls can drink AND eat!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of tomato juice

2 ounces of your favorite bourbon

1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon of horseradish sauce

4 dashes of your favorite hot sauce

1 pinch of salt

1 pinch of pepper

1/2 teaspon of lime juice

1 cup of ice

1 prepared piece of bacon

4 Lindsay Olives (Click here for a coupon)

4 cherry tomatoes

A few cubes of gouda cheese (optional)

Lemon wedge (optional)

Directions:

In a 12 ounce pint glass stir together tomato juice, bourbon, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce, salt, pepper and lime juice. Then fill the glass with ice.

Pour the mixture into a second pint glass and do this back and forth mixing between the glasses a few times until the ingredients are well incorporated (about 4 times should do the trick).

Now the fun part. The yummy skewer!

I like to add Lindsay Manzanilla Spanish Olives, cherry tomatoes, and whatever kind of cheese I have on hand. Click here to find where Lindsay Olives are sold near you. Or if you are like me and enjoy shopping at home and not dragging a toddler along, then purchase them online here and save 25% off with coupon code GAMEDAY.

Finally, I garnish the glass with a wedge of lemon and lime and a crunchy piece of bacon I prepared in the oven at 350° for 25 minutes earlier in the day.

Now just sit back and enjoy this game day treat while cheering on your favorite team!

GO CATS!