Bloody Mary Cocktail
A Bloody Mary is a classic cocktail known for its savory, spicy, and tangy flavors. With 8+ ingredients, this cocktail is not the easiest to make, but definitely worth it. Here’s how to make a classic Bloody Mary.
Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe
1
servings10
minutesA classic Bloody Mary Cocktail is made with vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, ground pepper, and is typically garnished with a celery stick and a lemon wedge.
Ingredients
Vodka: 1.5 oz
Tomato Juice: 3oz
Fresh Lemon Juice: 1/2 oz
Worcestershire Sauce: 1 Dash
Tabasco: 1-2 Dash (to taste)
Celery Salt: A pinch, plus extra for rimming.
Ground Black Pepper: A pinch
Celery Stick: For garnish
Lemon Wedge: For rimming
Directions
- Using a lemon wedge, wet the rim of a highball or pint glass. Roll the rim gently in celery salt, ensuring even coverage, and set aside.
- In a mixing glass or shaker filled with ice, combine the vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper.
- Securely cap your shaker and give it a robust shake for 15 seconds, ensuring the ingredients mix well while chilling.
- Strain the mixture into your prepared glass filled with ice. Garnish with the celery stick, slotting it vertically into the glass, and place the lemon wedge on the rim or in the drink.
Watch How To Make A Bloody Mary
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Making A Bloody Mary Cocktail: Pro Tips
As you can see, making a Bloody Mary cocktail does take some prep. But with a bit of practice, you’ll be able to whip up this cocktail quite quickly. To perfect your Bloody Mary every time, here are some pro tips.
Use Quality Ingredients
Making the perfect Bloody Mary is all about using high-quality, fresh ingredients. This means using freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly pressed tomato juice (or a premium brand) over a generic canned variety. The quality of your vodka also matters. While the Bloody Mary has strong flavors that can mask imperfections, a smoother vodka will always elevate your cocktail.
Garnish
A garnish is especially important if you’re trying to make the best Bloody Mary. Garnishes are not just for show – they also add flavor and aroma to your drink. While a classic Bloody Mary uses celery and a lemon wedge as a garnish, you can try others like pickled vegetables, crispy bacon strips, or even a cocktail shrimp.
Use Plenty Of Ice
Serving your Bloody Mary at the right temperature is essential. Always use plenty of ice when shaking and serving to ensure the drink is chilled properly. A colder drink will be more refreshing and help meld the flavors together more effectively. If making a batch for a group, consider chilling the tomato juice and vodka ahead of time.
Bloody Mary Variations
Classic Bloody Mary’s are great, but there are lots of delicious variations. Once you’ve mastered how to make a Bloody Mary, making one of these variations should be a cinch.
Bloody Maria
The Bloody Maria swaps out vodka for tequila, giving the drink a slightly smoky, earthy taste that perfectly complements the tomato and spices. To make a Bloody Maria, simply prepare a Bloody Mary as usual, but reach for a quality tequila instead of vodka.
Red Snapper
The Red Snapper is essentially a gin-based Bloody Mary. To make a Red Snapper, prepare your regular Bloody Mary mixture, but put gin in instead of vodka. The result is a more aromatic and herby version of the classic cocktail.
Bloody Caesar
The Bloody Caesar replaces tomato juice with Clamato (tomato juice mixed with clam broth). Start by making your Bloody Mary, but use Clamato instead of pure tomato juice.
Michelada
Michelada is a beer cocktail that Bloody Mary lovers would enjoy. This variation uses a Mexican lager in place of vodka, combined with lime juice, hot sauce, and a splash of tomato juice. To make a Michelada, rim a glass with salt, fill with ice, and add your tomato juice, lime, and hot sauce mixture. Top off with your favorite Mexican lager and stir gently.
