This Bloody Mary recipe makes a spicy, flavorful vodka cocktail. Add as many toppings as you’d like to get your drink just right!
Give me a loaded Bloody Mary or give me a chardonnay. Because when it comes to brunch, I want more, more, more.
You might say this cocktail looks like a salad in a glass. I definitely wouldn’t disagree.
A loaded Bloody Mary is my dream. Snacking on all of the extra trimmings while I wait for my actual meal to arrive is kind of a necessity. I mean, it’s almost lunch. I didn’t eat breakfast. And this girl is hungry.
Since it’s totally acceptable to sip one or two before noon, Bloody Marys are a favorite part of weekend brunches — just think of the powerhouse of vitamins you’re getting in each vitamin-fortified sip!
What’s in a Bloody Mary?
As with most cocktails, each person has their own special ratio of Bloody Mary ingredients they like to use. But no matter what flavor and texture you prefer your homemade Bloody Mary to have, you must make it with a good Bloody Mary mix.
While there are some decent bloody mary mixes on the market, creating your own Bloody Mary mix guarantees a fresh and flavorful mix. My recipe at the end of the post might just be the best Bloody Mary to slither past your puckered lips.
I use regular tomato juice as the base for my mix but if you prefer a bit more bite, V-8 or Clamato have built in flavor. Clamato is a bit thinner if you prefer the texture. I like to serve one mild option and one spicy. And then I spice it up even more once it hits my glass.
Prepared horseradish, celery salt, black pepper, garlic salt, worcestershire and a couple of dashes of Tabasco are the musts in my mix. Go hot or regular strength with your horsey sauce depending on your spicy preference.
When it comes to vodka, my Pickle-Infused Vodka adds a piquant punch. Cucumber or jalapeño would be a fun option too. Or stay classic with unflavored brands like Titos, Effen, Ketel One, Stoli or Smirnoff #57.
How to Make a Bloody Mary from Scratch
Prep the homemade Bloody Mary mix. Stir together the tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, garlic salt, black pepper, and Tobasco in a large pitcher.
Rim the glasses with a mixture of celery salt and kosher salt. Dip the rim of the glass in a plate of shallow water, then roll the rim a mix of celery salt and kosher salt.
Fill the glass with ice and add 2 ounces of vodka, then top it off with the Bloody Mary mix you prepared.
Garnish with your favorite nibbles (I’ve shared an extensive list of Bloody Mary garnishes down below), and enjoy!
Creating a DIY Bloody Mary Bar
Some like ‘em mild, some want them over the top spiced, and everyone has their druthers. Therein lies the reason to create a Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar for a mix and match cocktail soirée that will leave them sipping for more.
Show off your garnishing ingenuity by putting your pickled veggies and extra bites center stage for your guests to pick and choose and create a loaded drink. Or a simple one if that’s the way they roll.
And now for the good stuff: the garnishes. Go crazy or classic, it’s up to you to pick and choose the accoutrements to create your ultimate Bloody Mary.
see more: How to Set Up a DIY Mimosa Bar
My Favorite Bloody Mary Garnishes
When creating your Bloody Mary bar, the options are endless when it comes to picking the garnishes. A few of my favorite veggie garnishes are:
- Lemons
- Limes
- Celery
- Cucumber slices
- Kosher pickle spears
- Pickled beans and asparagus
- Pickled okra
- Pimento or cheese stuffed green olives
- Pickled beets, cauliflower or carrots
- Pepperocinis, peppadews or other peppers
- Pickled jalapeños
- Large caper berries
- Marinated artichoke hearts
- Marinated pearl onions
- Baby corn
Protein Garnishes
Those with a heartier appetite will appreciate having a few protein-rich garnishes as well. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Bacon
- Oysters
- Cooked shrimp
- Beef jerky or pepperoni sticks
- Steak bits
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Cheese squares
Additional Seasonings
For the seasonings, you can either make your own or choose a store-bought blend. A few of my favorite Bloody Mary seasonings are:
- Old Bay seasoning
- Garlic salt
- Garlic powder
- Celery salt
- Smoked paprika
- Lemon pepper
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Seasoned salts
Add-In Flavorings and Sauces
And for a dash of extra flavor, here are a few of my favorite sauces I like to add to my homemade Bloody Mary mix to switch things up a bit:
- Tabasco sauce
- Chohlula
- Frank’s Red Hot sauce
- Tapatio sauce
- Louisiana hot sauce
- Sriracha
- Worcestershire sauce
- Steak sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Pickle juice
- Olive brine
Can I Omit the Alcohol?
But of course! Virgin Marys taste just as good as Bloody Marys, assuming you flavor your mix well and don’t skimp on the garnishes.
Can I Prep the Bloody Mary Mix in Advance?
Yes, you can prep the mix up to a week ahead of time. Wait to stir in the vodka until you’re ready to serve the Bloody Marys, and keep the mix refrigerated in the meantime.
Tips for Making the Best Bloody Mary
Have skewers on hand that are long enough to fit the size of your trimmings for maximum loadability. You don’t want your guests to feel shortchanged on the garnishes.
Have plenty of ice on hand. Bloody Mary’s are best when refreshingly cold. Top the glasses to the rim with ice, and refrigerate the Mary mix before serving.
Create different flavored salts to rim your glass by combining kosher salt with different chile powders or herbs. Pour salts on small plates that just fit the rim of your glass. To coat, pour a small amount of water on a small plate. Roll the rim of the glass in the water and then in the salt.
More Cocktail Recipes to Get the Party Started
- How to Make the Perfect Mimosa
- Sparkling Elderflower Fizz Cocktail
- Classic Tequila Sunrise
- Champagne Mojitos
- Coconut Margarita
- Roasted Cherry Sangria
- Mango Margarita
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a 
rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
The Best Bloody Mary Recipe
Ingredients
Bloody Mary Mix
- 1 48 ounce can of tomato juice or about 6 cups
- 3 tablespoons prepared creamy hot horseradish
- 3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 1/4 teaspoons celery salt
- 3 teaspoons garlic salt
- Tabasco sauce
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pickle-infused vodka or regular vodka if you prefer
Assembling the Drinks
- 1 tablespoon celery salt
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Mix the tomato juice, horseradish, worcestershire sauce, celery salt, garlic salt and black pepper in a large pitcher. Season with 10-15 shakes of Tabasco sauce, or to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- To assemble drinks, mix the celery salt and kosher salt on a small plate. Dip the rim of your glass in a shallow amount of water, then dip into the salt mix and twist. Fill an 8-ounce glass to the top with ice. Add 2 ounces of pickle-infused vodka or regular vodka then top with bloody mary tomato mixture.
- Garnish with limes, lemons, celery ribs, blue cheese stuffed olives, bacon strips, pepperocinis, cooked shrimp, hot sauce, pickles, pickled asparagus or green beans, pickled beets, chunks of cheese, and anything your heart desires.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Drink Recipes to Make
- Blended Iced Mocha
- Immune Booster Sweet Green Smoothie
- Boozy Blueberry Floats
- Peach Pie Smoothie
- Whiskey Lemonade with Honey Simple Syrup
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