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Home · Recipes · Cocktails · Bloody Mary Bar

Published: Feb 29, 2024 by Kelly Anthony · Leave a CommentThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Bloody Mary Bar

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Exceed any and all of your guest's brunch-time expectations with the ultimate Bloody Mary Bar. Not only will we be covering essential Bloody Mary bar items and how to set them up, but we'll also tackle how to make the creme de la creme of Bloody Marys. With years of mixology and bartending experience under my belt, I've taught professionals how to make the best Bloody Marys in town, and now I'm teaching you.

A Bloody Mary in a jar with a salt rim. the mouth of the glass is stuffed with garnishes, bacon, shrimp, lemon wedge, olives, and celery sticks. more of the garnishes sit around it in bowls and jars with hot sauce and vodka in the background

Savory, zesty, and the cocktail that screams, "Brunch," you can't beat a Bloody Mary bar and all its garnishes. This setup is make-ahead, customizable, and, best of all, easy!

It sits perfectly next to a mimosa bar to round out your brunch dreams.

A close up of a Bloody Mary with the top of the glass stuffed with add-ins. Bacon, olives, lemon wedges, stalks of celery, and shrimp on a skewer with a cherry tomato

BLOODY MARY INGREDIENTS

  • Bloody Mary Mix | Using a store-bought Bloody Mary mix (like Zing Zang, Clamato, or Mr. & Mrs. T's) is a super easy way to save time and money. The mixes come equipped with spices like celery salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder that plain tomato juice won't have.
  • Vodka | Feel free to use regular vodka or pepper flavored if you prefer a little more spice, but the main thing is to go for a smooth, high-quality choice.
  • Worcestershire Sauce | This one is essential for those complex and savory flavors we all want. The mistake most people make is not adding enough of it!
  • Lemon and Lime Wedges | Fresh citrus juice balances out the more savory flavors with brighter, fresher notes.
  • Hot Sauce | Just go for your favorite hot sauce. The whole purpose is to add some heat!
  • Pepper | A pinch is all it takes to finish off the perfectly balanced flavors of this classic cocktail.

BLOODY MARY GARNISHES

Olives | The perfect way to add a bit of a briny touch.

Celery Stalks | This is a classic; it's a must-have in your lineup and the perfect way to add some crunch!

Tomato Juice | While I highly recommend using a pre-spiced Bloody Mary mix over straight tomato juice, this ingredient certainly wouldn't be out of place on a Bloody Mary bar.

Prepared Horseradish | Prepared horseradish is made with grated horseradish root, vinegar, and salt. It is perfect for adding a bit of a vinegary zing to your Bloody Marys and a touch of heat.

Creole Seasoning | For those who like it hot, an extra pinch of Tony C's or Cajun seasoning does the trick.

Pickle Spears | If you are unaware, pickle spears soaked in Bloody Mary juice are the most delicious!

Pickled Okra | Looking to keep your Bloody Mary bar extra Southern? Pickled okra it is.

Pickled Green Beans | Keeping along the lines of delicious and Southern things, pickled green beans also make for a yummy addition!

Pepperoncinis | These semi-spicy peppers add color and zing to your Bloody Mary bar. 

Bacon | Because who doesn't want a little protein with their cocktails? Roast some bacon in the oven, serve it as a garnish, and watch the crowd go wild.

Shrimp | Now we're really pulling out the big guns. Grab a package of cooked shrimp from the seafood aisle and serve it as a show-stopping garnish at your Bloody Mary bar. 

A vertical shot of all of the Bloody Mary Bar ingredients neatly arranged on a wooden board against a white wall

WHAT IS THE BEST ALCOHOL FOR A BLOODY MARY?

Vodka is the traditional alcohol used in the Bloody Mary cocktail. Tito's, Ketel One, Stolli, Effen, and Smirnoff are the most popular vodkas used. Still, you could also go with flavored vodka, like green chile, cucumber, or even bacon to elevate your experience.

DON'T LIKE VODKA?

Bloody Marias, anyone? If your peeps aren't vodka fans, a little tequila on the side might be just the ticket! If you're more of a gin fan, you could sub that in, and bam! You've got a Red Snapper. We have a lot of cocktail recipes you can choose from!

HOW TO MAKE A BLOODY MARY

1. Prep your glass | A seasoned rim on your Bloody Mary glass is optional; however, it sure does make the whole experience more fun and exciting! If you wish to season your 8-12-ounce glass before adding the mix, add Cajun seasoning or ⅓ cup of Kosher salt to a small plate. Then, take a lime wedge and moisten the rim of the glass all the way around. Place the rim directly into the seasoning and swirl until fully covered. Gently pat the bottom of the glass to shake off any excess seasoning before turning right side up. Ta-da! Fancy-rimmed glass!

2. Stir together ingredients | Fill your glass with ice and add 1-2 ounces of vodka, 3 big dashes of Worcestershire sauce, 1 dash of hot sauce, a squeeze of lemon, a squeeze of lime, and a pinch of black pepper. Then, fill the glass almost to the top with Bloody Mary mix (saving room for garnishes) and stir.

Steps to combine ingredients for homemade Bloody Mary recipe

3. Garnish away! | Add your favorites, whether they range from simple to over the top. You can't go wrong!

Bloody Mary bar recipe with garnishes

BLOODY MARY BAR IDEAS

Your Bloody Mary bar can be as over the top or simple as you want. 

A horizontal shot of all of the Bloody Mary Bar ingredients neatly arranged on a wooden board against a white wall

If you don't have a designated bar area in your home, you can create a station using a large board or serving dish as you would typically use for a charcuterie board. 

For a fancier feel, serve your Bloody Mary mix or tomato juice from a large pitcher. 

a bottle of vodka, a pitcher of Bloody Mary mix, and a glass of celery stalks sit in the background with olives and a bowl of shrimp in the foreground

You may also find larger Mason jars particularly handy for housing tall items like celery and strips of bacon. Smaller jars are great for holding items like pickled green beans and pepperoncini, and small bowls also work great to house small items like shrimp, olives, horseradish, and such.

Now that you have your build-your-own-Bloody Mary bar ideas, you might consider adding our Mexican Shrimp Cocktail to your party menu!

A horizontal shot of all of the Bloody Mary Bar ingredients neatly arranged on a wooden board against a white wall
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Bloody Mary Bar

Setting up a Bloody Mary Bar is a super easy way to make cocktails a fun, interactive, and tasty experience for your guests!
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary Bar
Servings: 12
Calories: 147kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

Bloody Mary Ingredients:

  • 1 (750 ml) bottle of vodka
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 (5 ounce) bottle of hot sauce
  • 4 lemons, cut into wedges
  • 4 limes, cut into wedges
  • Coarse ground black pepepr
  • 1 (50-ounce) bottle of Zing Zang or Mr. & Mrs. T's Bloody Mary Mix

Garnishes and Add-Ins:

  • Pimento stuffed olives
  • Stalks of celery
  • Prepared horseradish
  • Creole seasoning
  • Pickle spears
  • Pickled okra
  • Pickled green beans
  • Pepperoncinis
  • Cooked strips of bacon
  • Cooked shrimp

Instructions

How To Set Up a Bloody Mary Bar:

  • Serve the bloody mix from a large pitcher, if desired. Place small garnishes like olives or pepperoncinis in small bowls. For taller items like pickles, bacon strips, and celery, use small pitchers or mason jars.
  • Group the bloody mary ingredients together on a board or platter, if desired. Surround the ingredients with desired garnishes and set out drinking glasses, ice, measuring tools (like a jigger or a small, glass measuring pitcher), and straws nearby.

How To Make a Bloody Mary:

  • Fill your glass with ice and add 1-2 ounces of vodka, 3 big dashes of Worcestershire sauce, 1 dash of hot sauce, a squeeze of lemon, a squeeze of lime, and a pinch of black pepper.
  • Fill the glass almost to the top with bloody mary mix (saving room for garnishes), stir, and garnish!

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 806mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 533IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg
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I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

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