Bloody Mary Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (2024)

Created: Updated: by Lyuba Brooke 14 Comments *This post may contain affiliate links. Read More...

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Bloody Mary is the best way to enjoy Sunday brunch! This spicy tomato based co*cktail is incredibly easy to make with bold ingredients like smoked paprika, horseradish, olive juice and more. Trust me, this classic co*cktail is anything but bland!

If you’re hosting a brunch party, you’ll definitely need more easy Brunch co*cktails for your friends to enjoy!

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Table of Contents

I have a little secret ingredient in this Bloody Mary recipe that has forever changed how I enjoy this co*cktail! I’ve been sipping on this classic brunch beverage for years, but ever since I swapped one key ingredient with something a little different, I’ve never looked back… Typically, this classic co*cktail has a base of tomato juice, but I love to use V8 juice instead!

Before you turn up your nose at my V8 juice, hear me out. Not only does it add bolder flavor from the blend of vegetables, but it also makes the drink a little bit healthier! Plus, V8 is shelf-stable, so it’s easy to always have a bottle ready for mixing up brunch co*cktails. When I’m up cooking breakfast or brunch in the morning, I like my recipes to be a little more convenient, so grabbing a trusty container of V8 juice really does the trick for me.

There’s 3 oz of vodka in this recipe, which I’ve found to be just the right amount. It’s certainly a strong drink meant for sipping on slowly and really enjoying the flavors. With that being said, the vodka is tamed by all of the bold ingredients in the mix! Horseradish, smoked paprika, olive juice, hot sauce and more mix with the V8 juice and vodka to create a seriously good (and spicy) Bloody Mary that you won’t soon forget.

Ingredient Notes

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V8 Juice – Because the glass is rimmed in salt and there’s sodium from the other ingredients, you may want to use the low-sodium variety.

Vodka – Mix up different blends by using gin, tequila, or even light beer instead.

Horseradish – This adds heat to the drink, but can easily be left out if you don’t like it or don’t have any on hand.

Olive Juice – Any kind will work, but the juice from green or pimento-stuffed olives will blend best with the other flavors.

Hot Sauce – Use your favorite blend of hot sauce, such as Tabasco, Cholula, or Tapatio. Even Sriracha sauce would be a fantastic choice!

Rim Salt – Create your own flavored salt using other spices. Good choices would be cumin, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or celery salt.

See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.

PRO TIP: The colder the better, so refrigerate the V8 before mixing up this drink and make sure to use plenty of ice when preparing. You can even chill your glass in the freezer first if you’d like.

How to Make a Bloody Mary

Make the rim salt blend – Stir the sea salt, paprika, and chili powder together in a small bowl, then spread into a thin layer on a plate or shallow dish (4).

Prep the glass – Run a wedge of lime around the edge of the glass to wet it. Next, flip the glass upside down and tap or twist the rim of the glass in the salt blend until coated.

Make the drink – Add all of the ingredients to a co*cktail shaker with ice and shake (1, 2, 3). Pour directly into the glass or add fresh ice to the glass and strain the drink over the top.

Garnish and serve – Serve as is or add as many garnishes as you’d like!

PRO TIP: While this spicy Bloody Mary recipe is delicious freshly made, some say it’s even better when the flavors have had a chance to blend with each other. To do this, combine everything but the vodka and refrigerate for at least an hour, then shake with the alcohol and serve.

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Recipe FAQs

Can I make a Bloody Mary ahead of time?

Yes! If you’ll be serving this to guests or just want a larger batch ready to go, you can make a pitcher of the drink base and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just give it a stir and shake individual portions with the vodka, or add the vodka straight to the pitcher and stir well before each pour.

Is this Bloody Mary spicy?

What makes this co*cktail on the spicier side are the additions of horseradish and hot sauce. Feel free to add more or less of those two ingredients to adjust the level of spice in your co*cktail.

How do I garnish a Bloody Mary?

The sky’s the limit! Some restaurants are even known for their elaborate garnishes for this co*cktail. Have some fun with any of these options (or whatever else your heart desires):

Olives, pickles, bacon, Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies, cheese cubes, Cajun Grilled Shrimp, jalapeños, crunchy veggies (like carrots or celery), salami, pepperoni, or even a hard boiled egg!

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More Easy co*cktail Recipes

Spicy Margarita

Daiquiri

Dirty Martini

Michelada

Piña Colada

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Bloody Mary

A spicy tomato based vodka co*cktail many people enjoy for brunch. Make it with V8 juice and adjust spice to your own taste.

5 from 5 votes

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 259kcal

Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 6 oz V8 juice preferably low sodium
  • 3 oz vodka
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp horseradish
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika*
  • 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive juice from jar of olives
  • 2 tsp lime juice about 1 wedge
  • 1-2 dashes hot sauce

Rim Salt:

  • 1 tbsp sea salt flaky or fine
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine sea salt, chili powder, and paprika for the salt rim seasoning and mix it well. Spread it in a small shallow plate.

  • Use a lime wedge to rub the rim of a tall glass with some lime juice. (This will help seasoned salt stick to it better.

  • Tap the rim of a glass into the seasoned salt all around the perimeter. Fill the glass with ice 1/2-3/4 way full. (It's a personal choice.)

  • Combine all ingredients in a co*cktail shaker, close it tight, and vigorously shake for 20-25 seconds.

  • Have fun with the garnishes and make them as elaborate as you want.

  • Serve right away and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Use V8: Not only does it addbolder flavorfrom the blend of vegetables, but it also makes the drink a little bithealthier! Plus, V8 is shelf-stable, so it’s easy toalways have a bottle ready for mixing up brunch co*cktails.
  • Refrigerate the V8 before mixing up this drinkand make sure to use plenty of ice when preparing. You can evenchill your glassin the freezer first if you’d like.
  • Make Ahead: While this co*cktail is delicious freshly made, some say it’s even better when the flavors have had a chance to blend with each other. To do this, combine everything but the vodka and refrigerate for at least an hour, then shake with the alcohol and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7491mg | Potassium: 376mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2339IU | Vitamin C: 53mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

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ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

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Bloody Mary Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles (2024)

FAQs

Bloody Mary Recipe - Will Cook For Smiles? ›

Celery is a Must

Sure, you have seen celery as a garnish to a Bloody Mary, but did you know that it adds more than just a pretty presentation? The flavor of the celery compliments the tomato juice and can be enhanced with celery seed or celery salt as well.

Why do we put celery in Bloody Marys? ›

Celery is a Must

Sure, you have seen celery as a garnish to a Bloody Mary, but did you know that it adds more than just a pretty presentation? The flavor of the celery compliments the tomato juice and can be enhanced with celery seed or celery salt as well.

What is the best tomato juice for Bloody Marys? ›

There is no one "best" juice to use for a Bloody Mary, as personal taste preferences can vary greatly. Some common juices that are often used in Bloody Marys include 100% Tomato juice, Clamato, Vegetable juice and even green tomatillo juice.

Who is Bloody Mary recipe? ›

Combine tomato juice, vodka, lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and 1 cup ice in a mixing glass. Stir until chilled and strain into ice-filled pint glass or goblet. Garnish with a celery stalk.

What alcohol is in Bloody Mary? ›

Vodka is the traditional alcohol in a Bloody Mary. Worcestershire sauce gives the co*cktail a savory, umami-rich flavor. Kick up the spice with hot pepper sauce.

Why do people drink Bloody Marys in the morning? ›

Bloody Mary enthusiasts enjoy some relief from the numbing effects of the alcohol, as well as the placebo effect. Its reputation as a restorative beverage contributes to the popularity of the Bloody Mary in the morning and early afternoon, especially at brunches.

What is the etiquette for Bloody Marys? ›

The Rule of Thumb: No matter where you are, you may drink as many Bloody Marys as you like between dawn and noon. After noon, you may have Bloody Mary as your first drink of the day, but afterwards you must move on to other adult beverages. After sunset, you may not drink any Blood Marys.

What is the best vodka to use to make a Bloody Mary? ›

Remember to remove the seeds so you don't light your mouth (or ass) on fire! What we got was a zesty, peppery, fresh, citrusy vodka that was absolutely delicious in our Bloody Gerry. Whether your go-to is Tito's, Ketel One, Stolichnaya, Sobieski, Grey Goose, Reyka, Diamond Glacier, Belvedere, Chopin, or even…

What is the difference between a Bloody Mary and a dirty Bloody Mary? ›

A Dirty Bloody Mary is a variation of the classic Bloody Mary co*cktail. It typically includes the addition of olive brine, giving it a 'dirty' twist. This addition adds a savory, salty depth to the traditional mix of tomato juice, vodka, and various seasonings.

Are Bloody Mary drinks healthy? ›

Bloody Marys are actually healthy co*cktails.

In addition to electrolytes, sodium, potassium, and Vitamin C, tomatoes also contain lycopene, which is high in antioxidants. Lycopene helps to combat the toxins in the liver (like the toxins that you consumed while drinking the night before.)

Do you put ice in Bloody Mary? ›

How to Mix a Bloody Mary. In a co*cktail shaker, combine tomato juice, prepared horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ground pepper and smoked paprika and vodka. Add ice and shake with ice. In a tall glass, prepare a salt rim.

What was in the original Bloody Mary? ›

The creation of the Bloody Mary is often credited to Fernand Petiot in the 1920s while a young bartender at Harry's New York Bar in Paris. However, it appears he simply spiced up an existing and well-established combo of vodka and tomato juice while working at the St. Regis Hotel, New York City during the 1940s.

What do you call a beer served with a Bloody Mary? ›

The Snit: A Beer Chaser for the Bloody Mary co*cktail.

What is in Mr. and Mrs. T Bloody Mary mix? ›

Ingredients: WATER, CANE SUGAR, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE, ACACIA GUM, POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVE), POLYSORBATE 60, NATURAL FLAVORS, ESTER GUM, SODIUM METABISULFITE (PRESERVATIVE), YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6.

Why do people put celery in tomato juice? ›

Celery is an astringent and an aromatic - it will cut through the palate-coating tomato juice can leave behind, cool the intensity of the salt and heat, and will interrupt the soup-like consistency with a firm crunch. It's often included in tuna and chicken salad and served with hot wings for the same reason.

What is the point of celery in recipes? ›

However, once cooked, celery proves an invaluable ingredient. It's a great base vegetable for lots of dishes – once sweated until soft, its peppery taste can add a real savoury depth.

Why do people place wilted celery in water? ›

Therefore when celery is placed in water, the water flows into the cells of the celery. This can be used to refresh limp celery. As the pressure of the water in the cells increases, the crispness of the celery increases.

Why is celery in every soup? ›

Mirepoix is an aromatic blend of ingredients made to bring flavors to foods like stews, soups, stocks, and broth. This trinity food is made by slowly cooking carrot, onion, and celery to “sweat” out the flavor and create a delicious base for other recipes to be built upon.

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