Best Bloody Mary

Ever the popular brunch cocktail, a good homemade Bloody Mary recipe is a must-have, whether you’re drinking them on Sunday mornings, as a hangover cure, or on airplanes (it’s a thing—check the study!). If you've only had the cocktail from a store-bought mix, then you're in for a treat: it's not only easy to make an excellent Bloody Mary at home, but once you’ve got the basics down, you can really make this classic cocktail completely your own—read on for our top tips how:

What is a Bloody Mary?
A Bloody Mary is a cocktail made up of a mix of tomato juice, vodka, and a variety of other flavor bombs like horseradish and Worcestershire. If you’ve never had one, the combo might sound… interesting, but trust us—the result is a super-savory drink that stands out among the sweeter brunch options (hello, mimosas). We kept ours relatively simple, with a little added heat from hot sauce and black pepper. We think it’s perfect as is, but it’s also great for personalization, from the alcohol to the garnishes.

The best alcohol for a Bloody Mary:
Bloody Marys are traditionally made with vodka, and thanks to all the other ingredients competing for flavor, there’s no need to go for top-shelf. Classic, unflavored well vodka brands are the norm, but if you want to add some punch to your party, try pickle-, cucumber-, or jalapeño-infused vodkas. Use your go-to bottle, or checkout our list of favorite vodka brands for inspo. 

Bloody Mary garnishes:
Speaking of fun, the toppings on a Bloody Mary are one of the best parts of the drink, and the possibilities are truly endless. Garnishing your glasses with a stalk of celery and a few green olives is classic, but you can really go wild. You could even set up a Bloody Mary topping bar so your brunch crowd or tailgate crew can choose their own perfect add-ons. Think pickles, cornichons, pickled carrots, cocktail onions, or even bacon. Plain green or black olives are delicious, or opt for fancier types stuffed with pimento or blue cheese, almonds, or garlic.

At the very least, we suggest topping your glasses with lemon or lime wedges and adding colorful sprigs of fresh dill, parsley, or basil. Set everything out in small bowls, and let your friends and family create their own perfectly customized cocktails. 

Bloody Mary variations:
While we love this classic version, there are countless ways to experiment with this brunch cocktail. Our Flamin' Hot Bloody Mary, dill pickle Bloody Mary, taco Bloody Mary, and Bloody Mary margaritas are great places to start. You could also try swapping out the vodka for alternative alcohols like tequila (a Bloody Maria), beer (a Michelada), gin (Britain’s Red Snapper), or no alcohol at all (a Virgin Mary). Whatever you go with, have fun with it!

Can I make a Bloody Mary in advance?
Yes, you can prep the mix up to a week ahead of time. Just keep the mix refrigerated, and wait to stir in the vodka until you’re ready to serve.

Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below!