The Cocktail Chronicles: Bloody Mary
Add some spice to your weekend with the brunch cocktail of choice, the Bloody Mary. Requiring just a few ingredients, this classic brunch cocktail can be made in minutes and customized for each individual! Makes 1 drink.
Let’s start 2014 off strong with a favorite brunch cocktail: the Bloody Mary! (In fact, this was the first drink I served my mother and myself on New Year’s Day before our annual Gumbo Get Together.)
I wasn’t always a Bloody Mary fan. In fact, I avoided this brunch favorite like the plague because I’d heard horror stories from friends about imbibing one too many and the aftermath. Since I didn’t want to experience that, I didn’t try a Bloody Mary until I knew what I was doing, which meant I waited until I was 28.
Yes, I know, it’s a little ridiculous, but I figured that safe was better than sorry.
That said, I’m glad I waited because that first Bloody Mary was divine, and I’ve been making and ordering them ever since.
Other tasty brunch and gameday drinks: BBQ Bloody Mary / Blended Mimosas / Bloody Maria / Strawberry Champagne / Spicy Bloody Beer Cocktail / Strawberry French Monaco / How to Make a Mimosa Bar (Video Tutorial!)
How can I customize this recipe?
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You can make this Bloody Mary as spicy (or not spicy!) as you’d like! We love using Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix because it’s nice and spicy. If you’re sensitive to that, feel free to use tomato juice and add your spices to taste. 🙂
Also, you can customize this Bloody Mary with the toppings/accoutrements.
Celery sticks are my favorite way to serve it, as well as with a slice of lemon. You can also add spicy pickled green beans, pickled okra, pickled jalapeños peppers (or fresh ones!), bacon and more.
Use your creativity to deck out your Bloody Mary to your tastebuds!
What products do I need to make a Bloody Mary?
Honestly, you don’t need a lot to make a Bloody Mary at home. I’ve used regular 16 oz. glasses instead of “fancy” highball glasses and stirred them with a regular spoon, too. Just be sure you’ve got your measuring cup (or a jigger) to ensure you have the right proportions of ingredients!
That said, here are some awesome products to use for your Bloody Mary:
Can I use this recipe to make a Bloody Mary Bar?
Absolutely! A Bloody Mary bar would be so much fun to provide for an at-home brunch.
Here’s what you can do:
- Set out 1-2 bottles of your favorite Bloody Mary mix on your bar.
- Choose several different add-ons people can add to their drinks. (So, think along the lines of those pickled green beans, peppers, etc. mentioned above. Some crispy slices of bacon would be super fun, too.)
- Set out drinks, spoons and straws for your friends so they can mix their own!
What dishes can I serve with this brunch mixed drink?
Hosting a brunch and wanting to pair some food with this cocktail? Here are some of my go-to dishes for brunch:
- Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Turkey Biscuits and Gravy
- California-Style Eggs Benedict
- Sage Browned Butter Homemade Home Fries
- Make Ahead Breakfast Frittata Muffins
- Dairy-Free Blueberry Lemon Crumble Muffins
- Mango Lassi Smoothie
- Cream Biscuits and White Sausage Gravy
Interested in making this goodness at home? It’s easy!
See how I do it below…
Bloody Mary
Add some spice to your weekend with the brunch cocktail of choice, the Bloody Mary. This classic cocktail, made with spicy tomato juice, vodka and various accoutrements, is easy to make at home and perfect for any morning gathering, no matter the occasion. Requiring just a few ingredients, this drink can be made in minutes and customized for each individual!
Ingredients
Bloody Mary
- 4-6 ice cubes
- 1 lemon slice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- 3-6 drops hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 oz. Bloody Mary Mix
- 2 oz. vodka
Garnishes
- Celery sticks
- Spicy green beans
- Pickled okra
- Pickled jalapeño peppers
- Crispy bacon
Instructions
- Place the ice cubes and the slice of lemon in a tall glass.
- Measure in the Worcestershire sauce, freshly squeezed lemon juice, celery salt, hot sauce and the black pepper.
- Using a long spoon, stir until the ice is coated in the ingredients.
- Pour in the Bloody Mary Mix and the vodka.
- Stir until combined.
- Garnish with a celery stick (or spicy green beans, jalapeno pepper, etc.) and enjoy.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Stuart Walton's The Ultimate Book of Cocktails.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 166Sodium: 800mgCarbohydrates: 1g
Are you a fan of spicy drinks?
Other Cocktail Chronicles drink recipes: Southern Champagne / Mustique / Kingston / Rum Sidecar / Tom Collins / Cosmopolitan / Cutty Sark on the Rocks / Blizzard Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail
OH my goodness! My mouth is now watering and I want a cocktail…while working…at 1:22pm 😉 Great recipe- I’m going to have to give it a try!
Thanks, Jenn! This is a GREAT one, and I seriously hope you like it. Also, I felt kind of bad posting a cocktail recipe on a Monday just after the first of the year, but you know what? It’s all good. And this is a great way to kick things off right…
I am the biggest wuss when it comes to anything spicy. I have gotten much better with spicy sushi, curry, and other things but haven’t tried a bloody mary yet. I wonder if it is still good without all of that hot sauce or should I just go all the way. 😉
As someone who isn’t really into crazy spicy things, I’ll say that the heat added by the hot sauce isn’t unbearable. 🙂 You could also mix it up without the hot sauce, taste, then add accordingly!
It has been far, far too long since I’ve had a good bloody mary! They are definitely the best part of brunch. So delicious.
They really ARE the best part of brunch, though I enjoy balancing them out every so often with a mimosa because those are also divine. You should fix the whole not having had a good Bloody Mary in a long time thing. 😉
You know what, I’ve never had a bloody mary. NEVER. And I just turned 30!! Is that a travesty? Your pictures look gorgeous but I guess I’ve just never been enticed by the idea of a tomato juice cocktail. I do like gazpacho though so I guess it’s a natural progression… 🙂
Gorgeous post Erin! I might just venture into bloody mary territory this year… maybe 😉 x
Don’t feel too bad about that, Laura. I didn’t have a Bloody Mary until I was in my late 20’s… and it was totally worth the wait. And I think liking gaspacho totally works in the Bloody Mary’s favor because it’s similar… Let me know if you venture into the territory this year. Interested to hear what you think!
I’ve never had a bloody mary! I told myself on my last vacation I’d have one with breakfast one day, but mimosas won out every time. One day I will try these!
Well, mimosas ARE pretty good, so I can’t say I blame you… However, I want to know what you think of a Bloody Mary when you try one!
I’ve never had a Bloody Mary, but always wanted to try one. I have a childhood story involving Bloody Mary that made me avoid all things surrounding the name until… well not too long ago lol. And since I’m 28, it may be high time that I try one. Thanks for sharing your recipe 🙂
Ha. I understand about the name being kind of cringe-worthy. Here’s to trying to not being so bad and being over the childhood story that previously made you avoid Bloody Marys!
Hi Erin! Recipe looks delicious! I’ve never tried a Bloody Mary before- but I’m sure it’s so tasty! Love the photos! 🙂
Jess, thanks so much for the compliment! The recipe IS delicious, and I definitely recommend a Bloody Mary if you’re into spicy things and stuff like this.
Yum! I love a Bloody Mary. I also love when people set up a make your own Bloody Mary bar probably because I’m obsessed with any food that has a do-it-yourself element to it.
Happy New Year!
Wait, wait, wait.
PEOPLE SET UP MAKE YOUR OWN BLOODY MARY BARS?
Where can I find this and enjoy it? Because that sounds ah-mazing!
LOVE LOVE a Bloody Mary, here is a great addition to one, rim the glass with old bay seasoning! It is wonderful!! Your Bloody Mary sounds divine!
You and me both, Kelly! I love your addition to adding the Old Bay Seasoning to the rim of the glass. Definitely gonna try that next time! Thanks!
I questioned the amount of Worcestershire as one tsp sounded like too much. But I used your amounts as described with Zing Zang. Absolutely perfect! although I did add a top of more vodka. This is a keeper.
So happy you went with the Worcestershire, Daryl. Isn’t it just amazing with the Zing Zang? I’m so happy this worked perfectly for you and hope this Bloody Mary makes you happy every time you sip it. Cheers!