Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

ml Parts

45 ml Absolut Vodka

1 ½ Parts Absolut Vodka
150 ml Tomato Juice

5 Parts Tomato Juice
15 ml Lemon Juice

½ Parts Lemon Juice
4 Dashes Hot Sauce

4 Dashes Hot Sauce
10 ml Worcestershire Sauce

⅓ Parts Worcestershire Sauce
1 Pinch Ground black pepper

1 Pinch Ground black pepper
1 Pinch Garlic Salt

1 Pinch Garlic Salt
1 Wedge Lemon

1 Wedge Lemon
1 Stick Celery

1 Stick Celery

Number of Servings

Rate this recipe

4.1 from 3674 votes

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

Fill a Mixing Glass with Ice Cubes.
Use a Jigger to measure and pour Absolut Vodka into the Mixing Glass.
Measure and pour in Tomato Juice.
Add Hot Sauce.
Measure and pour in Worcestershire Sauce.
Cut a Lemon in half and use a Citrus Press to squeeze Lemon Juice into the Mixing Glass. Save a Lemon Wedge for garnishing later.
Add Ground Black Pepper.
Use a Bar Spoon to stir the cocktail until perfectly chilled.
Fill a Highball Glass with Ice Cubes.
Place a Julep Strainer over your Mixing Glass and pour the cocktail into your Glass.
Add a pinch of Garlic Salt and garnish with a Lemon Wedge and a Celery Stick.
Sip and enjoy!

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.
The Fastest Bloody Mary in the World!
When Absolut Peppar was launched in 1986, a shot known as ‘the fastest Bloody Mary on earth’ was made to promote it. “I think it still stands up as one of the best shots on earth,” says Rico today with confidence. All you need is a shot glass, Absolut Peppar, some Flaky Sea Salt, and a Cherry Tomato.

Start by sprinkling some Flaky Sea Salt onto a small plate, then slice a Cherry Tomato in half and dip it in the Sea Salt. Pour a shot of Absolut Peppar, sip it and then eat on the Sea-Salt-dipped Tomato!BOOM! The tastiest and fastest Bloody Mary in the world!

WATCH RICO MAKE THE FASTEST BLOODY MARY IN THE WORLD!

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 Olives, Pickles, Lime Wedges, Horseradish 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 Sauce, Black Pepper, Salt and Lemon Wedges to make the cocktail just right for themselves.

Why is the Bloody Mary cocktail called a Bloody Mary?

Just as its place of origin is a topic of debate, so is the name “Bloody Mary. Some believe it was inspired by a Hollywood star whose first name was Mary, while others trace it to a waitress named Mary at a bar in Chicago.

Another theory suggests that the name was derived from a patron from the early mentioned bar in Paris who said it looked like his cabaret acquaintance, leading to the cocktail being dubbed “Bloody Mary.”

Then, of course, others claim it was named after Queen Mary Tudor of England. The fact is no one knows for certain.

What Alcohol is Used in a Bloody Mary?

Vodka. Lovely, lovely Vodka.

What Type of Glass Should You Use to Serve a Bloody Mary?

A Highball Glass is, without question, the ideal glass. Here’s why: A Highball Glass gives you plenty of room to load up on all those delicious toppings.

With the tall, slender shape, you can pile in the Celery Sticks, Olives, and maybe even a couple of Bacon Strips without feeling crowded. Plus, the Highball Glass keeps your cocktail cool, so you can savor the spicy, tangy flavors all the way to the last sip.

Can You Make a Batch of Bloody Mary Cocktails?

Absolutely! In fact, it’s a great cocktail to make the night before. Let’s say you have a group of friends coming around for brunch tomorrow, make a big batch following the recipe above, store it in the fridge, and then add some freshly chopped celery sticks or other preferred garnishes right before serving.

Why Do People Drink Bloody Mary Cocktails for Brunch?

The combination of tomato juice base, zesty hot sauce, peppery spices, and fresh vegetable garnishes imparts a savory and satisfying flavor to the cocktail make it a popular brunch favorite, with many calling it a “meal in a glass”.

To exaggerate the appropriateness and appeal of enjoying a Bloody Mary during brunch, it’s not unusual to encounter a Bloody Mary adorned with pancakes and bacon! Yep, it’s true.