Bloody Mary Cocktail
The Bloody Mary is the perfect brunch classic cocktail that no weekend is complete without. With its zesty combination of flavors and eye-catching garnish, this drink is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you’re sipping it solo on a lazy Sunday morning or serving it up for your guests, the Bloody Mary is an ideal beverage for any occasion.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t explain the joy I get when I order and consume a bloody Mary at the local restaurant. There is something so decadent about drinking it as you eat brunch fare.
And although I love the food served at brunch, the flavor of a well-made bloody Mary is incomparable and what I most look forward to.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.
helpful
Tips
- I make my own mix for this cocktail but you can buy a pre-made mix if you prefer.
- This recipe can be customizable – you can add ingredients to suit your taste.
- Here are some great bloody mary garnishes: celery stalks, cooked shrimp, black pepper, celery salt, dill pickle spears, cooked asparagus spears, a few dashes of old bay seasoning, a lemon wedge, roasted garlic, other hot sauce, cubed cheese, and a cocktail onion.
- If you can’t find Clamato (it’s a brand that has tomato juice and clam juice), you can skip it and just use regular tomato juice, but let me tell you that it really gives the cocktail a delicious taste.
Variations on the cocktail
- The bloody Maria switches tequila for the vodka.
- The bloody Caeser is a Canadian version that adds clam juice.
- The Michelada switches out beer for the vodka.
- The red snapper is purported to be the original bloody Mary.
How to make a bloody Mary cocktail
Pre-step
Get a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Also get a measuring glass, 4 martini picks and tall glasses.
After measuring out the ingredients, add to the shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – vodka, tomato juice, Clamato juice, olive brine, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, lemon juice, and some ground black pepper.
Step two
Measure out 4 ounces of vodka. (A)
Step three
Measure 4 ounces of Clamato juice. (B)
Step four
Measure out 4 ounces of tomato juice. (C)
Step five
Measure out .50 ounce of olive brine. My favorite is the brine from the Pearls brand of olives that are packaged in martini vermouth. Yum.
Step six
Measure out .50 ounce of lemon juice. (E)
Step seven
Now for the fun part: adding all the spices and such.
First up is the prepared horseradish from Silver Spring. Their horseradish is out of this world. I am not a stranger to this brand and luckily the grocery store near me has it in stock. I highly recommend it.
I measure out 2 teaspoons of the prepared horseradish.
Step eight
You can use as much or as little of these two ingredients as you like but here’s what I like to add.
Shake 6 dashes of Tabasco sauce and 6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce. (G)
Step nine
Earlier, I fried up two pieces of bacon, blotted them dry and put them on martini picks while they were still malleable.
Now I also spear 4 olives – 2 on each pick. (H)
Step ten
Cap the shaker and shake for 15 seconds.
I place new ice in the glasses and strain and divide the contents of the shaker between the two glasses.
I grind the pepper a few times over the glasses and place my speared olives and bacon in the cocktails.
Let’s see a close up.
Look at the floating horseradish! So good.
Yay, time to imbibe!
I hope you enjoyed this bloody Mary cocktail recipe!
Other popular recipes made with juice
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Bloody Mary Cocktail
Ingredients
- 4 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- 4 ounces Clamato juice
- .50 ounce olive brine
- 6 dashes Tobasco sauce
- 6 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- .50 ounce lemon juice
- ground pepper
Garnish
Pimento olive for garnish
- 2 pieces bacon
- 4 green olives
Instructions
- Fill your shaker 1/2 full with ice
- Add vodka, tomato juice and Clamato juice4 ounces vodka, 4 ounces tomato juice, 4 ounces Clamato juice
- Add olive brine, Tobasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish and lemon juice.50 ounce olive brine, 6 dashes Tobasco sauce, 6 dashes Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoon prepared horseradish, .50 ounce lemon juice
- Cap shaker and shake for 15 seconds
- Add fresh ice to the glasses and strain and divide the ingredients between them
- Add garnish2 pieces bacon, 4 green olives
- Freshly grind pepper on top of the drinksground pepper
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- I make my own mix for this cocktail but you can buy a pre-made mix if you prefer.
- This recipe can be customizable – you can add ingredients to suit your taste.
- Here are some great bloody mary garnishes: celery stalks, cooked shrimp, black pepper, celery salt, dill pickle spears, cooked asparagus spears, a few dashes of old bay seasoning, a lemon wedge, roasted garlic, other hot sauce, cubed cheese, and a cocktail onion.
- If you can’t find Clamato (it’s a brand that has tomato juice and clam juice), you can skip it and just use regular tomato juice, but let me tell you that it really gives the cocktail a delicious taste.
Nutrition
Previously published in May of 2016.
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
i wish i had a blood mary right now! this looks great. and i seriously suck at making cocktails – so thanks for the recipe.
Thalia,
Bloody Mary’s always hit the spot!! Unless they are too spicy, of course. 😉
Elaine
I love having one of these with my brunch. Somehow, it doesn’t seem like brunch unless it’s accompanied by a bloody Mary!
I hope you enjoyed it Joyce. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you.
One of the very best cocktails – we love to serve these for a weekend brunch! Delicious – cheers!
It’s my favorite brunch cocktail! Cheers, Alexandra!
The clamato juice makes this really delicious! I love serving this for brunch with my husband! It’s a favorite of ours.
I agree on the clamato juice, Jamie! Thanks!
Just when you think something can’t get better you add bacon and BAM it’s amazing.
Lol. Right? Thanks Jess!
This is the Best Bloody Mary recipe that I have tried! My husband even loves it, Thank you for sharing!
I’m so happy to hear that Jo! Thanks for letting me know, Jo.
Your cocktail is what I was looking for. Yes, there are millions of Bloody Mary’s, but yours is the best. It is so true: it is the right balance of spice and sweet!
I’m so glad to hear that Irina! It is my favorite.
This is my kind of cocktail. Love that it has bacon and olives!
Me too Beth! Thank you, Beth! Cheers.