Skip the Bloody Mary mix—this Bloody Mary cocktail recipe is easy to make from scratch! Spicy and savory, this classic vodka drink is great for brunch.
Skip the Bloody Mary mix—this Bloody Mary recipe is easy to make from scratch! This classic brunch cocktail is a simple combination of tomato juice, vodka, and a few salty, spicy ingredients you likely have on hand. Fresh lime and lemon juice give it a bright, tangy kick, horseradish adds peppery flavor, and Worcestershire sauce and celery salt make it deliciously savory.
I can’t promise that this Bloody Mary recipe will be an effective hangover cure, but I can tell you that it will wow guests at any brunch. Want to seal the deal? Load it up with garnishes like celery, olives, and a lemon wedge. It’ll taste great and look impressive!
Why is it called a Bloody Mary?
It’s a good question, and after reading up on the history of the Bloody Mary, I think that no one really knows.
It could be that Fernand Petiot, the bartender who possibly created the drink, named it after the bloody reign of Queen Mary Tudor of England.
Other stories link the drink’s inception to the mid-twentieth century performer George Jessel, who could have named it after a friend named Mary.
Clearly, the drink’s tomato juice base inspired the “Bloody” part of the name.
Bloody Mary Ingredients
A classic Bloody Mary cocktail starts with tomato juice and vodka. But beyond that, recipes vary.
I use these simple ingredients to give mine a tangy, savory, spicy flavor:
- Lemon and lime juice – I love the bright, fresh notes they add to this drink.
- Horseradish and freshly ground black pepper – For a peppery kick.
- Hot sauce – For heat. You can use any kind you like, but Tabasco is great here.
- Worcestershire sauce – It adds salty, umami flavor. Make sure to use anchovy-free Worcestershire sauce if you need this recipe to be vegan or vegetarian. I like the 365 Brand and Annie’s.
- And celery salt – Optional, for the rim of the glass. It kicks up the savory flavors in this drink.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Common Variations
- Bloody Maria – Replace the vodka with tequila.
- Red Snapper – Use gin instead of vodka.
How to Make a Bloody Mary
This Bloody Mary recipe is easy to make. Here’s how it goes:
- Start by salting the rim of the glass (optional). Fill a small plate with celery salt. Rub a lime and lemon wedge around the rim of a tall glass and dip it into the celery salt. Fill the glass with ice.
- Then, shake the cocktail. Squeeze the lemon and lime wedges into a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a grind of pepper. Cover and shake until chilled.
- Strain the drink into the prepared glass. Taste and adjust as desired before adding garnishes and serving!
Options for Garnishes
According to Difford’s Guide, garnishes didn’t become a key part of this cocktail until the 1950s—twenty to thirty years after its creation.
But these days, what’s on a Bloody Mary is almost as important as what’s in one.
I always garnish mine with a celery stick, green olives, and a lemon or lime wedge. A sprig of fresh parsley or dill pickle spears are fun options too. Choose just a few of these, or add them all!
More Cocktail Recipes to Try
If you love this recipe, try one of these classic cocktails next:
Bloody Mary Recipe
Serves 1
You don’t need a mix to make a great Bloody Mary—this recipe for the classic cocktail is easy to make from scratch! Spicy, savory, and decked out with garnishes, it will be a hit at your next brunch.
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Salt the rim of the glass (optional): Rub the lemon and lime wedge around the rim of a tall glass. Fill a small plate with celery salt, if using, and dip the rim of the glass into the salt. Fill the glass with ice.
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Squeeze the lemon and lime wedge into a cocktail shaker and drop them in. Add the tomato juice, vodka, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, a grind of pepper, and ice and shake well.
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Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with celery, parsley sprigs, green olives, and a lime wedge, as desired.