What is it?

Most famously served with shrimp for shrimp cocktail, classic cocktail sauce is a mix of ketchup and prepared horseradish. Often given a squeeze of lemon and a hit of hot pepper sauce, it is a brightly flavored condiment for all kinds of seafood. Chiles, spices, onion, garlic, and lemon zest, and other flavorings may also be added depending on the recipe. You can buy prepared cocktail sauce (it’s often sold near the fish counter), but it’s easy to make yourself.

How to choose:

If buying bottled cocktail sauce, look for fresh and natural ingredients.

How to prep:

To make your own cocktail sauce, add 2 Tbs. prepared horseradish and a squeeze of lemon to 1 cup of ketchup. Season with black pepper and a few drops hot pepper sauce. Taste and adjust the amounts to suit your taste.

How to store:

Keep cocktail sauce refrigerated. It will last for a week or so covered.

Recipes

• 
  Recipe

  Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce

  This tart and tangy sauce is a twist on a classic Bloody Mary cocktail. Rim your serving dish with celery salt before serving, if you like.

• 
  Recipe

  Warm Seared Shrimp Cocktail

  In winter, I make these shrimp in a grill pan on the stove, which actually delivers lots of grilled flavor, but you can cook the shrimp on a real grill,…

• 
  Recipe

  Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce & Cilantro Pesto

  You can poach the shrimp yourself or buy pre-cooked shrimp.