Spicy Bloody Maria W/Red Pepper Flakes & Balsamic Vinegar

I love V8 juice and I also "like" Bloody Mary's! However, because I shouldn't drink alcohol - I refrain except on certain occasions I'll take a sip or two, the operative word being sip. I love spice in my Bloody Mary and find this particular version really good.:) This one includes red pepper flakes and balsamic vinegar but feel free to alter the spices. CuisineAtHome Magazine Issue 83 - October 2010.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 8 cups

Ingredients

• 6  cups  spicy  V8 vegetable juice or 6  cups  spicy vegetable juice
• 2  cups vodka
• 3  tablespoons  prepared horseradish
• 2  tablespoons fresh lemon juice (not the bottled stuff)
• 4  teaspoons  balsamic vinegar
• 4  teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1  teaspoon  celery salt
• 1  teaspoon red pepper flakes
•  kosher salt (optional)
•  celery seed (optional)
•  lemon wedge (optional)
•  pickled  giardiniera (optional)

Directions

1. In a large pitcher combine V8 and vodka.
2. Add horseradish, lemon juice, vinegar, Worcestershire, celery salt, and pepper flakes, stir to blend.
3. Adjust seasoning and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Combine kosher salt and celery seed on a plate. Rub rims of glasses with a lemon wedge. then dip each rim into salt mixture.
5. Fill each glass with ice and top with V8 mixture.
6. Garnish each drink with giardenia.