Brunch is one thing, but brunch with a Bloody Mary bar is quite another. I'm sure there are some people out there who insist that there's no such thing as brunch without a Bloody Mary anyway. Having a Bloody Mary bar for your brunch guests is a simple way to make the entire meal feel a little more special.

There's really no limit to what you can include. Just begin with a tall glass of ice and whatever booze you're using. I know some people are fond of using tequila or gin, but I always stick to a good vodka. Set out whatever you think your guests are into.

Usually I lay out a tray of bamboo skewers and large chunks of vegetables such as bell peppers, cucumbers, onion, celery and whole cherry tomatoes. I've seen recipes that ask you to infuse your tomato juice and essentially make a soup. I say that if you use a good quality tomato juice, you'll be fine. If you're into clamato or beefamato, go ahead, but don't ask me to drink it. While adding seafood to our morning cocktails, cooked shrimp or a raw oyster can also make a nice addition. Pickled items such as olives, string beans or okra also go well. As for the heat, I know Tabasco is pretty standard, but I really like a good chile-garlic sauce like Sriracha. It has a great garlic kick and not the vinegary bite of Tabasco. You can also set out some freshly grated ginger or horseradish for extra heat. There are of course the standard ingredients like worcestershire sauce and celery salt as well. A big wedge of lemon makes a nice finish.

Really, just look at it as a salad in a glass, and don't forget, it's still a nutritious helping of vegetables, no matter how much liquor you use.