Wear green; drink red

This weekend’s ever-growing Wearin’ of the Green St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which snakes through Hundred Oaks, the Garden District and down Perkins Road, is a great excuse for backyard crawfish boils and green beer. But with its morning time slot, what this parade really demands is a decent Bloody Mary. Several excellent local Bloody Mary mixes are on the market these days, including Briarwood Farms’ version produced by farmer Joe Dobie and sold at Martin Wine Cellar and the Red Stick Farmers Market. Louisiana Sisters Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, which launched from Norco food incubator Edible Enterprises, is also a winner. As for garnishes, I love a speared boiled shrimp on the side along with celery, Trappey’s pickled okra and Boscoli Family pickled beans. Or take the lead from Mason’s Grill on Jefferson Highway and serve yours with a straw made from savory beef jerky, available through mail order at Benny’s Bloody Mary Beef Straw.