Bloody 'Tini Recipe Inspired By 'Beetlejuice'

glass of bloody 'tini and glass of white wine

Photos by Noah Fecks

Our Dinner and a Movie series features nostalgic essays on some of our favorite films from the '80s and '90s paired with recipes inspired from movie moments. Don't miss our essay on Beetlejuice.

With all of the flavors of a Bloody Mary, this surprisingly complex martini offers an evening take on a classic brunch cocktail. The puree base can hold up in the fridge for up to two weeks, so you can make this in advance and serve it on Halloween — or for many nights after, if you like.

For the puree (yields two cups):

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
½ white onion, cubed
2 celery stalks, cut into large chunks
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
¼ teaspoon celery salt
Fresh ground pepper
1 tablespoon jarred horseradish
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 medium beefsteak tomatoes (about 1¼ pounds), roughly chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

The Main Course

Cocktail-Style Shrimp and Mediterranean Orzo

This is not a trick! Treat your tastebuds to this recipe, inspired by the movie's iconic dinner scene.

cocktail-style shrimp and mediterranean orzo arranged to look like the shrimp cocktail in Beetlejuice movie with yellow plastic ring around dish

Place a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil to the pan. When the oil begins to ripple, add the onion, celery and salt and sauté until vegetables become translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the celery salt, ground pepper and horseradish, stirring until the mixture is well combined.

Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, until the mixture has turned from bright red to deep red. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for a minute more. Remove from heat and add the Worcestershire sauce.

Add the mixture to the bowl of a high-powered blender and blend on highest setting until a puree is formed.

Pass the puree through a fine-mesh sieve. Season to taste and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Puree can be kept in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

bloody martini in a glass with celery garnish standing in a yellow plastic ring beside silver conical salt and pepper shakers

For the cocktail (makes one cocktail):

2½ ounces vodka
2½ ounces of puree
Celery stalk

Fill a shaker with ice.

Add vodka and puree and vigorously shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a celery stalk.

Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice and Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice movie wedding scene

Michael Keaton played the role of the malicious spirit, Beetlejuice, in Tim Burton's classic 1988 film. The movie also features Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz.

Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection