The bloody mary is a classic cocktail for a boozy brunch, full of flavor and ideal as a hair-of-the-dog hangover cure or a fun way to get the day started. Although this spicy cocktail has its fans and its haters, those who love it appreciate its tangy, tomato-y deliciousness for a late morning treat. Here are the basic ingredients for a tasty bloody mary recipe.
Although you can make this brunch classic with a bloody mary mix, the best bloody mary is made from scratch with separate ingredients. This may seem intimidating, since this mysterious cocktail is a mix of ingredients and flavors that sound like they'd taste terrible together. However, the combination of citrus, spiciness, tanginess and tomato magically blend together to create a delectable cocktail that rivals the simple mimosa.
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If you so choose, you can switch it up by using tequila instead of vodka, which would make this cocktail into a bloody maria. One of the best parts of this unique drink is that you can make it your own. Whether you're at a bloody mary bar going all out with the garnishes or you're at home treating yourself to a boozy morning, you can make your bloody mary into whatever you want it to be. I personally make mine with far more pickle juice and hot sauce than any recipe would call for, along with fitting as many green olives on the garnish skewer as humanly possible. Here are the essential ingredients for the ultimate bloody mary.
Classic Bloody Mary Ingredients
- Worcestershire sauce
- Tomato Juice
- Hot sauce
- Vodka
- Horseradish
Extra Seasonings and Flavor Options
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- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Garlic salt
- Old Bay Seasoning (optional)
- Lime juice (optional)
- Pickle juice (optional)
Rim of the Glass
- Celery salt
- Lemon wedge or lime wedge
- Kosher salt (optional)
Garnish Options
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- Parsley sprig
- Green olives
- Lime wedge
- Celery stalk
- Pickle spear
- Pickled jalapeño pepper
- Pickled green bean
- Bacon
- Shrimp
How to Make a Bloody Mary
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These are the classic ingredients that make up this brunch cocktail, but you can add your own variations and additions to make the best bloody mary for you. Choose Tabasco sauce, Sriracha, or whichever hot sauce you like best. Add a few extra dashes to give your drink more of a kick!
You an also add an extra teaspoon celery salt on the rim, or put in more pickle juice if you love the taste of pickles. As for the garnish, fit as many things as you like on your skewer and don't hold back on the pickles and green olives. Or, go simple with just a celery stick and a sprig of parsley.
To make this drink, start by preparing the rim of the glass. Pour some celery salt onto a small place. Then, rub a lime or lemon wedge along the lip and dip the outer edge of the glass in the celery salt until fully coated. Then, put some ice cubes into the glass.
Put 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, 2 dashes hot sauce, 4 oz tomato juice, 2 tsp horseradish, and 2 oz vodka into a cocktail shaker. Squeeze in a dash of lemon juice and lime juice, and sprinkle in a pinch of black pepper, a pinch of paprika and a pinch of garlic salt. If you're new to the DIY bloody mary, it's best to follow the recipe. Then, you can add more flavor additions once you know what your drink needs.
Shake gently and strain the mixture into your prepared glass, and then garnish with all the toppings your heart desires!
READ MORE: Clamato: The Secret to a Delicious Bloody Mary
The Ultimate Bloody Mary
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 4 oz tomato juice
- 2 dashes hot sauce
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 tsp Horseradish
Seasonings
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 pinch smoked paprika
- 1 pinch garlic salt
Rim of Glass
- celery salt
- lime wedge
Garnishes
- Choose your favorite!
Instructions
- Start by preparing the rim of the glass. Pour some celery salt onto a small place. Then, rub a lime or lemon wedge along the lip and dip the outer edge of the glass in the celery salt until fully coated. Then, put some ice cubes into the glass.
- Put 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, 2 dashes hot sauce, 4 oz tomato juice, 2 tsp horseradish, and 2 oz vodka into a cocktail shaker. Squeeze in a dash of lemon juice and lime juice, and sprinkle in a pinch of black pepper, a pinch of paprika and a pinch of garlic salt.
- Shake gently and strain the mixture into your prepared glass.
- Garnish with the toppings you like!
