The Bloody Mary is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Whether you’re trying to get over a particularly rough morning after a night out or want a strong party appetizer, here’s how you can mix a Bloody Mary to perfection.
Bloody Mary Recipe Overview
The best Bloody Mary recipe calls for seven different ingredients, which seems like a lot when compared to other long drinks. However, given the unique taste, the prep time is worth it!
Ingredients
First, here are all the original Bloody Mary ingredients:
- 2 ounces of vodka
- 4 ounces of tomato juice
- 1-2 dashes of Tabasco sauce (or another hot sauce you like more)
- 1-2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp. horseradish
- 2 pinches of ground black pepper and smoked paprika
- Celery salt
- Lime or lemon wedge
Bloody Mary garnishes add an entirely new dimension to the drink. Bartenders and restaurants have been experimenting with the recipe for years, so it’s not uncommon to see this vodka cocktail with cooked shrimp, bacon, and similar garnishes that make it more of a brunch meal than a cocktail.
Still, here are all the ingredients you can easily use as garnish for a Bloody Mary:
- Celery stalk
- Green olives
- Lemon or lime wedges
- Cocktail onions
- Pickled veggies (cucumbers, jalapeño peppers, cauliflower, etc.)
Instructions
- Take the celery salt and pour it on a small plate.
- Use the lemon or lime wedge, and rub it on the edge of a tall glass.
- Roll the glass in the salt until it’s coated.
- Take a cocktail shaker or large pitcher, and squeeze the lime or lemon wedge.
- Add all your ingredients to the shaker, along with ice, and shake.
- Strain the mix into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings.
You can also play with the quantities and get different flavors depending on your taste. If you want a spicier drink, add a few more drops of hot pepper sauce or be more generous with the Worcestershire sauce to get an umami taste.
Calories and Alcohol Content
Given all the ingredients in a Bloody Mary, you’d think this delicious drink would be calorie-heavy, but that’s not the case. One glass has only around 125 calories.
Here’s a quick breakdown of all the nutritional information:
- Carbs: 6.8g
- Fat: 0.1g
- Fiber: 0.8g
- Protein: 1.2g
- Alcohol: 10% ABV
How to Serve Bloody Marys
A Bloody Mary is a classic brunch drink you can enjoy with a few friends and pair with the following:
- Pizza
- Burritos
- Cheese platters
- Finger food
- Fried food, etc.
Bloody Mary Variations
A homemade Bloody Mary gives a lot of leeway for creativity. Try out these other similar cocktail recipes:
- Virgin Mary: Skip the vodka and enjoy the delicious flavors of a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary cocktail.
- Red Snapper: Use gin instead of vodka to get a similar drink with more floral notes.
- Bloody Maria: Use tequila for a cocktail that pairs best with Mexican food.
Ingredient Replacements
- Clamato juice: This can replace tomato juice, but you can also add other vegetable juices or even fresh lemon juice to your liking.
- Bloody Mary Mix: If you don’t want to stock up on each ingredient, get a Bloody Mary mix from the store, or make it yourself and freeze it for special occasions.
- Old Bay seasoning: If you don’t like celery salt, Old Bay is great to add extra flavor to your drink.
- Hot sauce: Use a combination of sauces, and you can replace some of the other spices like black pepper, horseradish, or Tabasco.
- Celery seed: It’s the same as celery salt, except it lacks salt, so it goes well if your cocktail has lots of other salty ingredients like green olives or sauces.
Final Thoughts
Homemade Bloody Marys are often better than the ones you order at a bar since you can mix them any way you want. Give this recipe a try tonight, and fill the glass with these unique flavors!
