Drinking the "little blood."

Of all the chasers for tequila or vodka, sangrita has to be at the top of the list.

No, not "sangria," that's a Spanish-style red wine punch.

Sangrita, meaning "little blood," is a traditional tequila chaser, and a party in your mouth. There are many recipes for sangrita on the web, most of them weak-kneed and cowardly renditions of the real deal.

Here is how I make it - this recipe is adapted from the wonderful book, Mexican Desserts and Drinks: More Than 200 Sensational Mexican Recipes by Socorro Muñoz Kimble and Irma Serrano Noriega.

Combine in a blender -

2 cups tomato juice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup chopped raw onion
2 fresh chiles (serrano or if you want it really hot, habañero)
juice of a lime
1 tsp. sugar
a pinch of salt

Chill. Serve as a chaser for tequila or vodka. Or add the hooch directly into the sangrita, which makes it what some call a bloody Maria.

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