Whip up a Bloody Mary at home with just a few simple ingredients! Tomato juice, hot sauce Worcestershire, lemon juice, and of course some vodka, and seasonings. This is a flavorful tomato-based cocktail that will be perfect for brunch sipping.

Bloody Mary drinks on table with a glass vodka bottle in background

You also might know a Bloody Mary as a hangover cure. This is a drink that is served up to help alleviate the unwanted hangover symptoms. It helps replenish electrolytes which can bring relief.

Now, if you are a fan of cocktails try my Drunken Gummy Bear cocktail or even this easy watermelon cocktail. Both are fruity and so delicious down to the last sips.

Bloody Mary sitting on table in glasses garnished with shirmp, lime, and celery

Reasons To Make This Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe…

The savory cocktail recipe is full of flavor and versatile in how you top your cocktail.
You can control how spicy you want your drink by the ingredients used. Great if you want a custom drink.
Garnish with celery and pickles, or go crazy with bacon, shrimp, and more. Feel free to play around with toppings to have a fun drink that is full of flavor.
This is a great cocktail for morning time or even brunch. But you could also sip at the end of a long day as well.
You can also make this into a mocktail if you need a non-alcoholic version which would then be called a Virgin Mary.

Bloody Mary Drink ingredients on a white marble table

What’s In A Blood Mary?

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this tomato-based drink. Now, you can customize of course with ingredients for the drink or the toppings and garnishes you pick.

Vodka
Tomato Juice
Lemon Juice
Hot Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce
Celery Salt
Black Pepper
Garnishes of Choice – Celery, pickle, olives, lemon slices, etc.

Bloody Mary drink with vodka pouring into the ice

Bloody Mary on table with tomato juice pouring into glasses

Variations to Recipe

There are truly endless ways you can alter the flavors of this cocktail to fit your needs and wants. Here are just a few of my favorite ways you can change up the ingredients for a whole new flavor level.

Bloody Maria – This is where you swap the vodka with tequila.

Easy Bloody Bull – Add in beef bouillon for a richer and savory flavor.

Bloody Caesar – Use Clamato juice in replace of tomato juice. Then use lime and celery for garnishing.

Virgin Mary – You will leave out the vodka and make this a non-alcoholic drink.

Bloody Pirate – Use dark rum in replace of vodka. It will add a whole new flavor to the cocktail.

Bloody Mary on cutting board with celery and lemons sitting around the glasses

What are some creative garnish ideas?

Here is a mix of ingredients that you might consider for garnishing your cocktail. Pick and choose what you want, or add in your twist with ingredients you don’t even see listed here.

Celery Stick
Whole Pickle or Pickle Spears
Bacon or Candied Bacon
Shrimp
Mini Sandwiches
Mini Burgers
Olives or Stuffed Olives
Cheese
Jalapeno Pepper
Beef Jerky
Cucumber Slices
Cherry Tomatoes
Lobster Claw
Herbs
Pepperoncini Peppers

Bloody Mary on cutting board with shrimp and lemon and celery garnished and then food on table around drink

Tips For Success

Flavor And Spice

When you are making the drink you can add less or more tomato juice, hot sauce, etc. This is going to allow you to control how spicy or mild the cocktail is. Now, if you are not a fan of spice at all, feel free to leave out the hot sauce or reach for a mild one.

Quality Ingredients

You will find that tomato juice is a stand-out ingredient and using quality is key. Otherwise, it will affect the overall flavor of the drink.

Bloody Mary close up in glass with srhimp and celery in glass

Serve Over Ice

I recommend serving your Bloody Mary over a glass of ice. It is best when it is served chilled. You will find that refrigerating all your ingredients ahead of time is good as well, so it is ultra cold when you mix it up.

Bloody Mary in a clear mason jar glass topped with celery, sliced lemon and shrimp on a wooden table.

Strength Of Cocktail

Adding less vodka will make a milder flavored cocktail. Or if you want it a bit stronger then add an extra splash or two of the vodka. I just always recommend drinking responsibly.

Bloody Mary cocktails on glassess with a bottle of vodka in the background

Rimming Glass

If you want to rim the glass you are welcome to. Just rub a lime or lemon wedge around the rim of the glass. Then take some chili powder, salt, or even a spice mix and place on a plate. Then dip the rim of the glass in the seasonings. This will add extra flavor to lick as you are sipping.

Bloody Mary close up with shirmp on edge of glass and a lemon wedge and celery

FAQs

What type of vodka is best for a Bloody Mary?

A neutral-flavored vodka is best as it is going to create that kick without taking on flavors. I recommend reaching for a smooth and clean-tasting vodka like Absolut, Tito’s, or even a Smirnoff. It will add the punch without the flavor.

Now you are welcome to play around with a smokey vodka or even a craft vodka that might have a unique flavor. This could be fun to try out for sure.

Bloody Mary in a clear mason jar glass with sliced lemon and shrimp being held up

Can I make a large batch for a party?

Go right ahead and make a large batch of Bloody Marys to serve up a crowd. Just mix the ingredients and then serve over ice and enjoy. I do recommend making and serving right away for the best flavor.

Bloody Mary

Reasons To Make This Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe…

What’s In A Blood Mary?

Variations to Recipe

What are some creative garnish ideas?