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This classic Bloody Mary recipe probably dates back to the 1920s. Ever since then, bartenders have been working to improve it, and there are some fantastic variations out there.
This is the simple, no-frills classic version of the recipe. But feel free to dress it up as much or as little as you want.
Some people would tell you the Bloody Mary is all about the garnish. And you can and should have a ton of fun with the garnish. You can add meat and veggies of all sorts.
But the original just called for a stalk of celery, and there’s something classic about the look of it.
Fancy garnish really is so much fun for this drink. But before you play with the garnish, you want to master the flavor of the actual tomato juice mix.
Here it is, pictured with celery, bacon, a gherkin pickle, an olive, a cherry tomato and a celery salt rim. Which almost makes it lunch.
The taste of this drink is really all about how you season the tomato juice. That’s what you want to get just right.
This classic Bloody Mary is pretty straightforward. It’s the best recipe to start with, and from there, you can tweak it to make your own signature version of it.
Signature tweaks
So how do you go about creating your own special version of the tomato juice mixture for a Bloody Mary? Start with little changes and work your way up to bigger ones.
For example, experiment with the measurements for the hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. You may like it more spicy (more Tobasco) or more savory (more Worcestershire), so try a few combinations to get the levels of spicy and savory just the way you like them.
You can also try different brands of hot sauce. For example, Tapatio is a little more spicy and tangy than Tobasco, with a wonderful robust flavor that you may actually prefer.
One of our top suggestions is to add beef stock or beef bullion to the tomato juice. It makes the drink more hearty, almost like a beefy tomato stew. This is especially great in wintertime – sometimes in hot weather, you just want the light, bright flavor of tomato juice.
We recommend Knorr beef bullion in powder form because this stuff has so much yummy au jus flavor. A little goes a long way, and a whole cube in a single Bloody Mary would knock you over.
The trick is to add a small amount of the powder – maybe just an eighth of a teaspoon at first – and taste it. Add a little more and a little more until you find just the balance you like.
You can also add a dash or two of soy sauce. And by soy sauce, we mean the real stuff – brewed and aged, and tasting nothing like the stuff in bottles at the sushi bar. We recommend Eden Organics Shoyu sauce, and not too much of it.
Again, you want to add a dash at a time and taste. This soy sauce has a lot more flavor than you’re used to compared to normal soy sauce.
Another delicious option is horseradish. Again, a little goes a long way, so start small. This horseradish sauce is extra spicy and doesn’t have as many additives and filler ingredients as most.
You can also try lime juice in place of lemon juice. Try anything that comes to mind and sounds good. It’s a drink that’s hard to perfect, but even harder to ruin. Even garlic works in this drink, if you’re a garlic lover.
Extra celery salt can be a nice touch, too. You can also make a celery salt rim (here’s how to rim a glass), or mix celery salt and chili powder together for a salty-spicy rim.
This is also one of the all-time great co*cktails to serve Virgin style. The Virgin Mary tastes almost exactly the same, just without the vodka. That makes it a great option when you’re entertaining drinking as well as non-drinking guests.
Both the Bloody Mary and the Virgin Mary are perfect for brunch and even breakfast, or breakfast-for-dinner, which is just breakfast food like pancakes, eggs and bacon eaten later in the day.
It also tastes great with egg dishes, such as omelets and scrambles, or even quiche. Try it with this Spinach and Bacon Omelet from Valentina’s Corner for a hearty breakfast. The smoky and savory flavors of the bacon and spinach will bring out all the wonderful seasonings in your Bloody Mary.
Yield: 1 drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
The classic Bloody Mary recipe blends vodka with tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tobasco, lemon juice and celery salt. This simple recipe tastes wonderful, but you can add more Tobasco if you want it hotter.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 cup tomato juice
- 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice
- 1-3 dashes Tobasco sauce
- 4-6 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 tsp celery salt
- Celery stick
- Lemon wedge
Instructions
- Shake all ingredients together with a scoop of ice.
- Strain the mixture into a tall glass.
- Garnish with the celery stick and lemon wedge.
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Read Next:
- Dirty Bloody Martini
- Virgin Mary Non-Alcoholic co*cktail
- Sloe Driver
FAQs
The co*cktail is said to have been created on the spur of the moment, according to the bar's own traditions, consisting only of vodka and tomato juice. It was originally referred to as a "Bucket of Blood".
What is the best tomato juice to use for Bloody Mary? ›
There is no one "best" juice to use for a Bloody Mary, as personal taste preferences can vary greatly. Some common juices that are often used in Bloody Marys include 100% Tomato juice, Clamato, Vegetable juice and even green tomatillo juice.
What is the difference between a Bloody Mary and a dirty Bloody Mary? ›
And don't forget to garnish with toppings! What is the difference between a Bloody Mary and a dirty Bloody Mary? Like a dirty martini, a dirty Bloody Mary typically contains olive or pickle brine, along with the other traditional ingredients. Try splashing some brine in yours for a salty, savory punch!
Is V8 better than tomato juice for Bloody Mary? ›
V8 – My go-to tomato juice for making the best Bloody Mary recipe! I like how viscous it is, as well as the acidity, without an overwhelming amount of saltiness. Vodka – I like using a vodka that doesn't have too much flavor on its own, or one that has a bit of spice and bitterness to go with our tomato juice.
Why do they put celery in Bloody Marys? ›
Celery is a Must
Sure, you have seen celery as a garnish to a Bloody Mary, but did you know that it adds more than just a pretty presentation? The flavor of the celery compliments the tomato juice and can be enhanced with celery seed or celery salt as well.
Are you supposed to eat the celery in a Bloody Mary? ›
But with it's outspoken flavours, the bloody mary tends to linger. To reset your pallet, you can take a bite of the celery. It's strong enough to cut through the spiciness, yet it doesn't leave an outspoken flavour.
What is in Mr and Mrs T Bloody Mary mix? ›
Ingredients: WATER, CANE SUGAR, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVE), ACACIA GUM, POLYSORBATE 60, ESTER GUM, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, CARAMEL COLOR.
What is the best alcohol for a Bloody Mary? ›
Employing vodka ensures that the beverage hews to the classic Bloody Mary formula. But using a different spirit base, say tequila or gin, is welcomed or even encouraged. Variations like the Red Snapper use gin, while the Bloody Maria opts for tequila.
How bad is a Bloody Mary for you? ›
Bloody Marys are actually healthy co*cktails.
In addition to electrolytes, sodium, potassium, and Vitamin C, tomatoes also contain lycopene, which is high in antioxidants. Lycopene helps to combat the toxins in the liver (like the toxins that you consumed while drinking the night before.)
What do Canadians call Bloody Marys? ›
of course, Canada is the home of the Caesar co*cktail. the Caesar co*cktail. you're very proud of that, which is? Caesar is kind of like a Bloody Mary, but with clam juice.
A Guide to the Bloody Mary and Its Many Variations
- The Red Snapper. The Red Snapper at the St. ...
- The Bloody Maria. The bloody maria at Masa y Agave in New York Carey Jones. ...
- The Bloody Caesar. ...
- Michelada. ...
- Green Mary. ...
- Bloodless Mary. ...
- Bacon Bloody Mary. ...
- The Shrimp co*cktail Mary.
We know that natural chlorine works in stimulating the liver and its function for filtering and detoxifying body wastes. Sulfur in tomatoes protects the liver from cirrhosis, too. Tomato juice is known as good energy drink and for rejuvenating the health of patients on dialysis.
What kind of vodka do you use for a Bloody Mary? ›
Corn vodka (Tito's Vodka, Smithworks Vodka, Big Spring Vodka) will be sweeter than a traditional rye (Belvedere Vodka, Sobieski Vodka, Square One Vodka, Belvedere Smogory Forest) that will be more spice forward with a crisp and dry finish.
Why do people drink tomato juice on planes? ›
Tomato juice has a strong flavour that can still be tasted at high altitudes, making it a satisfying beverage choice for passengers. Additionally, tomato juice is a good source of hydration, which is especially important during air travel, as the cabin environment can be dehydrating.
How were Bloody Marys created? ›
The Russians brought plenty of vodka from their homeland, while the Americans brought canned tomato juice to the city. It is said that Fernand “Pete” Petiot took the Russian vodka and American tomato juice, mixed in some spices, lemon juice and seasoning and the Bloody Mary was born.
What is the primary alcohol used in a cosmopolitan? ›
Cosmopolitan co*cktails are a classic, elegant vodka co*cktail made famous by the ladies of Sex and the City! Not to sweet, not too tart, super quick to make made with cranberry juice, lime juice, vodka and cointreau. Serve this for elegant pre dinner drinks, to ring in the New Year or an evening in with the girls!
What's the difference between a Bloody Mary and a Caesar? ›
While both the Bloody Mary and the Caesar are very similar, there's one big difference in ingredients between the two. They each have a vodka base, but Bloody Marys feature tomato juice, while Caesars make use of clamato, a combination of clam and tomato juice.
What does a Virgin Bloody Mary contain? ›
Cut the celery in large dice, including the leaves, and puree in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the horseradish, shallot, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, kosher salt, Tabasco and lime juice and process until smooth. Pour the mixture into a large pitcher, add the tomato juice, and stir.
