This Creole Mary is a legitimate cocktail that hits the mark for Charlotte entertaining. Creole mustard is the potential snafu—most Food Lions and Harris Teeter stores stock it, but if yours does not, you'll need a specialty run to either Kroger's specialty section or ALDI's gourmet aisle, adding time and friction to a weeknight. Vodka, tomato juice, creole seasoning, lemon, hot sauce, and pickled vegetables are all standard Charlotte grocery finds. At roughly $3 to $4 per drink (depending on your vodka choice and whether you already have the spices and hot sauce), it's a reasonable social drink, though it's not a keeper—best made fresh and consumed same evening. The stated five minutes is honest for mixing and assembly.