Bloody Mary
This classic brunch cocktail is savory, bright, and easy to adjust glass by glass. Tomato juice, lemon, horseradish, Worcestershire, and vodka come together in a drink that tastes fresh without needing a long prep list.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
A Bloody Mary is a tomato-based cocktail with a savory edge. It is often served at brunch, but it also works well as a slow-sipping appetizer drink before a casual meal.
The key is balance. Tomato juice gives body, lemon adds brightness, Worcestershire brings depth, and horseradish and hot sauce add heat. You can keep it mild or make it punchy.
This recipe makes one cocktail, so it is easy to scale up. Mix the base ahead if you like, then add vodka and ice right before serving.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
11 items · 1 cocktail
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces chilled tomato juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus 1 lemon wedge for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce, or more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon celery salt, plus more for the rim if you like
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
- Ice, as needed
- 1 celery stalk, for garnish
- 1 green olive, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Place a tall glass in the freezer for a few minutes, or fill it with ice water while you gather the ingredients. A cold glass helps the drink stay crisp.
3. Mix the seasonings
In a mixing glass or small pitcher, combine the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper. Stir well to break up the horseradish.
4. Add the tomato juice
Pour in the chilled tomato juice and stir until the mixture looks even. Taste it now. Add more hot sauce for heat or a little more lemon juice for brightness.
5. Add the vodka
Stir in the vodka. Mixing before adding ice helps the flavors blend without watering the drink down too soon.
6. Ice and roll the drink
Fill the serving glass with fresh ice. Pour the Bloody Mary mixture over the ice, then gently pour it back and forth once between the glass and mixing cup if you want it extra cold. This is called rolling, and it chills the drink without shaking it foamy.
7. Garnish and serve
Add the celery stalk, green olive, and lemon wedge. Serve right away while the drink is cold.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Stir together the tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire, horseradish, hot sauce, celery salt, and pepper up to 24 hours ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add vodka and ice just before serving.
- Storage: Leftover Bloody Mary mix without vodka keeps in the refrigerator for 2 days. Stir before using because the seasonings can settle at the bottom.
- For a milder drink: Use less horseradish and hot sauce. You can always add more after tasting.
- For a stronger savory flavor: Add a tiny splash more Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika. Go slowly, because these flavors can take over.
- For a nonalcoholic Bloody Mary: Skip the vodka and add an extra splash of tomato juice or a little pickle brine. This version is often called a Virgin Mary.
- Tomato juice swap: Low-sodium tomato juice works well if you want more control over the salt. Taste before adding the full amount of celery salt.
Cook's note
Nutrition is estimated for the full cocktail, including vodka and edible garnishes. Sodium will vary a lot by brand of tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and celery salt.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make a pitcher of Bloody Marys for a group?
Yes. Multiply the ingredients by the number of drinks you need. Mix the tomato base ahead, but add vodka and ice shortly before serving so the pitcher does not taste diluted.
Should a Bloody Mary be shaken?
It is better to stir or gently roll it. Shaking can make tomato juice foamy and thick. Rolling chills and mixes the drink while keeping the texture smooth.
What kind of vodka should I use?
Use a clean, neutral vodka that you enjoy. You do not need an expensive bottle because the tomato juice and seasonings are the main flavors.
How do I make it less salty?
Use low-sodium tomato juice, skip the salted rim, and reduce the celery salt. You can add more lemon juice, black pepper, or horseradish to keep the drink flavorful.
What garnishes go well with a Bloody Mary?
Celery, olives, lemon wedges, pickles, cocktail onions, and pickled green beans all work well. Keep garnishes simple if you want the drink to stay easy to sip.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat1 g
- 1%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium671 mg
- 29%
- Total Carbohydrate9 g
- 3%
- Dietary Fiber2 g
- 7%
- Total Sugars5 g
- Protein1 g
- 2%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium38 mg
- 3%
- Iron0.7 mg
- 4%
- Potassium459 mg
- 10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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