Perfect Bloody Mary

If a Bloody Mary is a must-have for your brunch spread, you’re in the right place. This recipe is the best you’ll find online! Prepare to load up this zesty, savory drink with all your favorite garnishes — and don’t forget to save this go-to recipe for next time.

Ingredients for the Bloody Mary

This flavorful, tomato-based cocktail comes together easily with just a handful of simple ingredients:

Spicy Tomato Beverage
Choose your preferred tomato-vegetable juice blend, such as V8, for this drink.

Vodka
Vodka is the classic spirit used in a Bloody Mary.

Worcestershire Sauce
This sauce adds a deep, savory, umami flavor to the cocktail.

Hot Sauce
For a bold, fiery kick, add a splash of hot sauce.

Salt and Pepper
These simple seasonings bring an extra layer of taste to the mix.

Garnishes
This recipe suggests using celery and garlic-stuffed green olives as garnishes, but feel free to get creative and add your own favorites.

The Origins of the Name 'Bloody Mary'

The exact origin of the name is unclear, but several theories exist. One popular tale suggests the cocktail is named after Queen Mary I of England, also known as Bloody Mary, whose bloody reign inspired the drink's red hue, symbolizing the bloodshed during her time.

Another theory proposes that the drink was named after Mary Geraghty, a friend of entertainer George Jessel.

What Liquor Is Used in a Bloody Mary?

A classic Bloody Mary is made with vodka. If you swap the vodka for another spirit, it’s no longer considered a Bloody Mary.

Swap tomato juice with tequila, and you’ve got a Bloody Maria. Use gin instead, and it becomes a Red Snapper.

How to Craft a Bloody Mary

Since there are no fizzy ingredients, you can mix the whole Bloody Mary in one go using a cocktail shaker. Simply combine all the ingredients, shake well, strain into a glass filled with ice, and garnish to finish. Cheers!

Garnishing Your Bloody Mary

When it comes to garnishing a Bloody Mary, the possibilities are endless. You can load it up with a mini meal (like a grilled cheese or slider), or keep it simple with classic garnishes like pickles, olives, bacon, or shrimp.

Dinogo Community Reviews and Tips

"These were amazing! After trying them, I made a pitcher and doubled the vodka. I even added a slice of crispy bacon on the side. The feedback was fantastic, and they looked so impressive," shares judynobark.

"This was my first attempt at making a Bloody Mary, and it tasted just like the one I had at a restaurant recently...so delicious," says msmitchielike2cook.

"Simple and delicious Bloody Mary recipe. I had to use regular V8 juice instead of the spicy version, so I added extra hot sauce. It was the perfect remedy for a hangover," says Sarah Talbot.

Content contributed by Bailey Fink

Ingredients Needed

• 1 teaspoon sea salt, or as needed

• ice cubes, as needed

• ¾ cup spicy tomato-vegetable juice cocktail (such as V8®)

• 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger vodka

• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

• 1 dash hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®)

• salt and ground black pepper to taste

• 1 stalk celery

• 2 garlic-stuffed green olives, threaded onto a toothpick

Instructions

Start by gathering all your ingredients.

Sprinkle salt on a small plate. Wet the rim of your glass and dip it into the salt. Then, fill the glass with ice cubes.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the vegetable juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds, until the outside is frosty.

Pour the Bloody Mary mixture into the prepared glass. Garnish with a celery stalk and olives.

Cheers and enjoy!

Nutritional Information (per serving)