Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe

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Ingredients

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WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Bloody Mary is a cocktail with a tangy Tomato base, zesty, spicy kick, and elaborately playful (read: over the top!) garnishes.

Whether you’re sipping it on a lazy Sunday afternoon or kicking off a weekend morning with a leisurely brunch, nothing hits the spot quite like a Bloody Mary.

How To Make a Bloody Mary

What You’ll Need

  • Highball Glass
  • Mixing Glass
  • Two Cocktail Shakers
  • Bar Spoon
  • Paring Knife (for the Lemon)
  • Jigger or Measuring Instrument

Got a question about the tools above? Check out our 7 Essential Home Bartender Tools.

What Is a Bloody Mary Cocktail?
 

It’s a timeless cocktail known for its distinctive spicy and savory flavor. The iconic cocktail has been a staple at brunch tables and party scenes for decades. 

Bloody Mary ingredients consist of Vodka, Tomato Juice, Worcestershire Sauce, Hot Sauce, and Horseradish, and commonly garnished with a Celery Stalk, Olives, or Pickles. It’s really a cocktail like no other!

How to Mix

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
  2. Add Vodka.
  3. Add Tomato Juice.
  4. Add Hot Sauce.
  5. Add Worcestershire Sauce.
  6. Add Lemon Juice.
  7. Add 1 Pinch Ground Black Pepper.
  8. Roll to blend and chill, and strain into a highball glass filled with fresh Ice.
  9. Add a pinch of Garlic Salt and garnish with a Lemon Wedge and a Celery Stick.

Watch How to Make a Bloody Mary with Rico and Hedda Bruce

What Does a Bloody Mary Cocktail Taste Like?

It boasts a zesty and robust flavor, with a mouth-watering blend of savory Tomato Juice and spice from both the Worcestershire Sauce and Hot Sauce. The smoothness of the Absolut Vodka provides depth, the Tomato Juice adds a unique savory and slightly sweet flavor, while a staple garnish like a Celery Stalk provides a fresh, savory crunch.

The thing is though, everybody, including every bartender, has their own twist on how they enjoy this cocktail.

When we asked bartender, Rico, how to make the perfect Bloody Mary he said:

“Even though we’d say that this is the best Bloody Mary recipe, there’s actually no such thing as a perfect Bloody Mary. This cocktail completely relies on your sense of taste, so make it how you like it. So, while we highly recommend that you experiment, you’re gonna need a jumping-off point, and that’s where our recipe (see above) comes in.”

One of the best things about this cocktail is that you can craft it to the way you like it—whether that means cranking up the heat for extra spice or dialing up the tanginess to suit your taste.

The History of the Bloody Mary Cocktail

The history and origin of this cocktail are the subject of debate, but its birthplace is commonly associated with Paris, France. Although others say it was invented in Palm Beach, Florida.

According to the most popular legend, this cocktail was invented in the 1920s by an American bartender who was working at Parisian bar that was popular among Americans during Prohibition. The establishment was renowned for its New York-style ambiance, adding an intriguing twist to the supposed birthplace of the iconic cocktail.

Over the years, it has become THE cocktail to drink during brunch. The tomato juice base, fiery Hot Sauce, spicy Pepper, and fresh garnishes gives it a savory quality that has led many to call it a “meal in a glass”.

Variations of a Bloody Mary Cocktail

  • Use Absolut Peppar Vodka
    Did you know that Absolut has a Vodka designed specifically for making the Bloody Mary? That’s right – it’s called Absolut Peppar.
    Absolut Peppar was, in fact, our first ever Flavored Vodka. The idea was to make a Pepper Flavored Vodka, so busy bartenders wouldn’t have to waste time grinding Pepper themselves. Try it for yourself…if you dare!

  • Add Clam Juice
    One popular variation is the addition of Clam Juice together with the Tomato Juice. Clam juice brings a savory depth and oceanic brininess to this cocktail. The hint of seafood from the clam juice contributes to the cocktail’s distinctive savory notes.

  • Virgin Mary
    Want to make alcohol-free Bloody Mary? It’s easy! By simply leaving out the Vodka, you can create an incredibly tasty Mocktail known as a Virgin Mary. It drinks a lot like a fresh Vegetable Juice, making it perfect to drink during brunch. Check out our recipe on how to make a Virgin Mary.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Bloody Mary Cocktail

While most people would serve this cocktail with the classic Lemon Wedge and Celery Sticks, other people are more creative with their garnishes putting Bacon, Oysters, Green OlivesPicklesLime WedgesHorseradish and even Fried Chicken or entire Pancakes into their cocktails! Basically, everything but the kitchen sink.

Tip! Since preferences are so personal, a fun way to serve this cocktail at home is to let guests make their own, just put out the ingredients and print out the recipe. This way your guests can use things like Lime Juice, Hot SauceBlack PepperSalt and Lemon Wedges to make the cocktail just right for themselves.

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