I never used to be a big Bloody Mary fan. I mean, I loved tomato juice and I loved vodka, but for some reason when those two liquids were mixed together, my taste buds went cold. But I knew other people liked them and imbibed them regularly, especially over long Sunday brunches. So, I continued to try them and every time I'd get one or two sips in and turn up my nose.

But then something happened early in the 2000's: I discovered there were other vodkas out there besides Absolute. There were vodkas infused with flavors, vodkas that were smooth, vodkas that could be sipped straight or over ice for enjoyment rather than just to be shaken up in cocktails. That's when I realized that when the right vodka was combined with the right juices in the right measurements, vodka could turn a cocktail I'd previously found disgusting into something I couldn't wait to sip.

So, I went back to the Bloody Mary. But this time I tried it with cucumber vodka. I mean, if this is a drink meant to be imbibed in the morning, why not use a vegetable that's found so often in smoothies and breakfast shots. I loved it! It was light and cool and soooooo refreshing! Of course I added all the extra condiments you find at Bloody Mary bars these days: celery, smoked sea salt, olives and bacon, because let's be honest... these days the Bloody Mary is no longer just a drink, it's a feast in a glass!

And so it went... every time I ordered a Bloody Mary, I got mine with cucumber vodka. If they didn't have cucumber vodka, I didn't have a Bloody Mary. Then a few weeks ago I heard Liquor.com was looking for twists on the Bloody Mary. I liked my cucumber vodka version, but I knew there it needed something more.

Well, we're right in the middle of holiday season... I know Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet, but let's be honest, these days the Christmas decorations are up long before Halloween. Everywhere I looked all I saw was green and red, green and red, and that's when it hit me: If I'm going to use cucumber vodka, why not use cucumber juice as well! So I layered fresh cucumber juice with tomato juice and cucumber vodka and not only got a refreshing morning cocktail, but one that fits right in with the holiday spirit, as well!

Tinsel Mary

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces fresh cucumber juice
• 1-1/2 ounces cucumber vodka
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2-1/2 ounces tomato juice

Directions:

1. Pour the cucumber juice in a high ball glass filled with three or 4 ice cubes
2. Pour the remaining ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until chilled.
3. Using a bar spoon, slowly pour the tomato juice mixture over the spoon so you get a nice red tomato layer on top the green cucumber layer.
4. Garnish with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers and serve.