Bunnies, Bagels and Bloody Marys

The kids’ birthday party circuit in Los Angeles is the stuff legends are made of. (Those of you who watch Real Housewives of Beverly Hills know what I’m talking about.) But the best of these parties are less about three-year-olds being feted with diamond necklaces and fine china, and more about creativity and good taste. Yesterday morning, our friends Laurie and Lucas threw an absolutely fantastic party for their three-year-old daughter, one of Tiny G’s best gal pals. The theme was: Bunnies, Bagels and Bloody Marys. Supervised by Cowboy Mark, the kiddies got to pet little bunnies—so sweet! While the girls were off at the other end of the pen holding tiny fluffy little bunnies, Tiny G managed to corner the only rabbit bigger than himself and fed him carrot sticks. It was a big morning and we’re still talking about it.

Inside, our hostess Laurie—a woman who rocks a Halston halter dress like no other—had put out a spread of fresh-out-of-the-oven bagels from Sams on Larchmont with lox, cream cheese, and all the fixings. Kids and parents couldn’t have been happier. And I know it’s all about the kids, but I do love Laurie for making it a little bit about the grown-ups, too. In a corner of the dining room she’d set up a Bloody Mary station with the best homemade mix I think I’ve ever tasted. So impressive! There were bottles of Tabasco, Cholula and Sriracha so you could pick your poison for adding more heat. (Yours truly went with Sriracha, which did not disappoint.) I begged her to share her recipe, below. Thank you, Laurie and Lucas! And Tiny G sends love to the birthday girl.

Laurie’s Blended Bloody Mary

Plenty of fresh squeezed lemon juice and beet horseradish are what make this Bloody Mary a little bit better than your neighbor’s. Laurie adds, “BLEND all of it. I think that might be the key to greatness—infusing each drop with horseradish and lemon, etc.”

32 oz. Campbells tomato juice

1/2 jar plus a little more of Bubbies beet horseradish

juice of 1 lemon

1 1/2 tablespoons Cholula sauce

4 tablespoons worstershire sauce

salt and pepper

celery salt sprinkle…

Vodka, obviously

celery and lemon garnish

In a large pitcher, combine all ingredients except the vodka and garnish. Pour tomato mixture into food processor and blend. Return to pitcher. Chill. Serve in tall glasses over ice with a stick of celery or lemon wedge and vodka to taste. Makes about 6 drinks.

Advertisement