This Bloody Mary recipe is always a hit with our guests... even the ones who think they don't like them. If you're looking to right the wrong of poorly executed, thick, lackluster renditions of this cocktail, this is the recipe for you. Whether it's game day or ladies' brunch, this drink does the trick.
Here's the deal, vodka and tomato juice are not all you need to make a sip-worthy Bloody Mary. From the savory, acidic, and complex flavors, to the perfect little kick of spice, you will find this one to be brighter, lighter, and more exciting. Tomato juice and vodka are still present but we've figured out a way to bring out the best of both!
For now, let's cover the basics of making a bloody mary! Below, in our ingredients section, we'll address each ingredient and what it does to enhance this famous A.M. vodka cocktail. And while we are on the subject of classic cocktails, be sure to add our Mexican Martini and Colorado Bull Dogs to your "To Make" list!
HOW TO MAKE A BLOODY MARY
Making good Bloody Marys at home is by no means difficult. In a nutshell, you're going to combine a bunch of ingredients in a glass with ice and stir. Not so hard after all, right?
Have ready an 8-12 ounce glass full of ice. If you would like to add a Kosher salt or cajun seasoning rim, be sure you do this before you fill the glass with ice!
To add a fun and tasty rim to your glass, add either a ⅓ cup of Kosher salt or a few tablespoons of Cajun seasoning to a small plate.
Run a lime wedge along the rim of your glass to moisten it, and place the rim of the glass in the salt or seasoning. Swirl it around and gently pat the bottom of the glass to remove any excess before turning right-side up.
To make a Bloody Mary, you'll add vodka, Worcestershire sauce, pickle juice, the juice of a lemon and lime wedge, bloody mary mix, pepper, and hot sauce to your glass. Stir until well mixed and then you can add your garnishes.
Bloody Mary garnishes can be as simple or over the top as you want them to be. For a simple, classic vibe, go with a pickle spear, green olives, or a celery stick. If you want to amp things up, bacon, shrimp, or a little pickled okra couldn't possibly hurt.
BLOODY MARY INGREDIENTS
As seen above, it's really not the technique, it's the combination of the right ingredients that makes all the difference in the world.
We'll kick off this section with the two most well-known ingredients: the tomato juice and the vodka.
The first thing we'll need to address here is that Bloody Mary mix and tomato juice are not the same things. Tomato juice is simply that: the juice from a tomato, likely seasoned only with salt and nothing else. Bloody Mary mixes, on the other hand, come equipped with their own special blend of spices and added ingredients and consistency.
The beauty of buying a pre-made bloody mary mix is that it allows you to save time and ingredients -- particularly on spices like celery salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder. However, there are some truly lackluster mixes out there, and they can hijack the flavor of your cocktail in a real bad way.
Our suggestion is to go with either Zing-Zang (my number one choice), or if you can't find that brand, Mr. & Mrs. T is another good option.
On to the vodka, smooth, high-quality vodka will make quite the difference when making a top-notch bloody mary at home. You can use regular vodka or even pepper-flavored vodka if you prefer your bloody marys on the spicier side.
Now, it's time to discuss the fun stuff -- the add-ins. Any veteran mixologist can affirm Worcestershire sauce is key when it comes to this particular cocktail, and chances are, you aren't using enough of it. This essential ingredient adds an extra savory vibe to Bloody Mary's and adds to the drink's complex flavor profile. We've got all the tips and tricks in our Cocktail Recipes!
Pickle juice will add a briny touch to this savory breakfast cocktail, along with the perfect little punch of acidity. If you aren't a fan of pickles, feel free to use olive juice instead or leave the ingredient out altogether.
A squeeze of fresh lime and lemon juice also adds acidity to the drink, but not the same acidity you would get from pickles or olive juice. Fresh citrus juice adds balance by bringing bright and fresh notes to the table.
The main purpose of hot pepper sauce is to add heat to a Bloody Mary. A dash won't make it too spicy, so if you like hot, feel free to amp those dashes to 3 or 4.
Visible specs of black pepper are also pretty standard for a Bloody Mary. You don't need a lot of it, just a generous pinch to the glass will do the trick just fine.
Want to host an epic brunch? Try setting up a Bloody Mary Bar to go with your biscuits and gravy or sourdough French toast. That is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! If entertaining is your jam, we've got all the Entertaining Recipes for you to wow your crowd!
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Bloody Mary
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce vodka
- 1 ounce Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ounce pickle juice
- Juice of a lime wedge
- Juice of a lemon wedge
- 4 ounces Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix
- Generous pinch of black pepper
- Dash of hot sauce
Instructions
- Have ready an 8-12 ounce glass with ice. Add all of the ingredients, stir until well-mixed, and serve!
Nutrition
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