Instructions: In a 2-quart pitcher, combine all ingredients except garnishes and stir well. Serve over ice. Garnish with lime wedges and celery stalks.

This recipe yields 6 six-ounce servings.

Comments: The Millennium Mary

The morning after the biggest party in history, New Orleans revelers woke up to an epic remedy for those Y2K blues. In the heart of the renowned French Quarter stood the Millennium Mary(TM), a 10-foot tall glass containing over 1000 gallons of pure Bloody Mary, the quintessential "morning-after" drink. It was served free of charge to thousands of locals and tourists alike, with both a classic version and a non-alcoholic version available. The Millennium Mary(TM) had a healthy dash (in this case, about 5000 dashes) of Tabasco brand Pepper Sauce, atop a base of V8 100% Vegetable Juice.

The giant Bloody Mary sat on a raised platform in Latrobe Park, at Ursulines and Decatur Streets at the entrance to the French Market, just a stones throw from Jackson Square. The custom-made glass was equipped with ten spigots around its base, from which a team of servers drew a seemingly endless supply of virgin Bloody Marys. Finlandia Vodka was added upon request for everyone of legal age with proper ID.

At 10 am, McIlhenny Company President Paul McIlhenny tasted the ceremonial first drink. With his nod of approval, post-millennial revelers were served eight-ounce Bloody Marys in commemorative cups garnished with sticks of celery, while a Dixieland jazz band played throughout the four-hour party.

When all was said and done, the enormous cocktail served over 15,000 drinks - composed of 12 gallons of Tabasco Sauce, 815 gallons of V8 , and 204 gallons of Finlandia Vodka (added in separately.)

Here are the stats:
Size of Glass: - 10 feet tall by 4 1/2 feet wide Weight of Glass (empty) - 1500 lbs.
Weight of Glass (full) - 8500 lbs.
Volume of Drink - 1055 gallons

Ingredients:
12 gallons of Tabasco brand Pepper Sauce 815 gallons of V8 100% Vegetable Juice
12 gallons of Worcestershire sauce
12 gallons of lime juice
15,000 celery sticks
204 gallons of Finlandia Vodka - added separately to individual drinks

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