Donald Lee Grigg and the World-Famous Bloody Mary

Make your guests feel special the way my dad does — with handcrafted Bloody Marys.

Going back home to visit my parents is like a vacation for me. My friends and I call it “D.G. World.” My parents are Donald Lee and Debra Kay Grigg, hence the D.G. in D.G. World. They live in a large house on Lakes James in the foothills of North Carolina, and I enjoy taking friends back there to visit. The view is breathtaking, and the lake is so clean you can see clear to the bottom. There are plenty of bedrooms for guests, Mom cooks amazing meals, and Dad always offers up his famous Bloody Marys. Their hospitality is unmatched, and between the boating, swimming, sunning and fishing, guests are always ready to return.

During a recent visit in June, we woke to the smell of bacon and fresh-brewed coffee. There is a massive wraparound deck that overlooks the lake, and we congregated in our pajamas until everyone was awake. “Is your dad going to make his world-famous Bloody Marys,” asked Jordon as he and his wife swung in the hammock. Clearly, Dad’s morning cocktails have become the most anticipated part of the day.
Don lines up all the glasses and makes each drink individually, as if he is making each one special for each person. He brings the Bloody Marys out to the deck and hands them out to the eager recipients. The garnishes make the presentation that much more desirable. They look like a piece of art; I almost don’t want to drink it — almost. It really is the perfect start to the day.