Paul Kushner
The classic Bloody Mary is one of the most famous cocktails of them all and has a lot of history behind it too.
Easy to spot in a line-up with its distinctive red color and famed for its fiery, flavorsome nature, this refreshing cocktail is guaranteed to add a little heat to any occasion.
You can find pre-made bloody Mary mix at the store, but we think it’s always best when made from scratch, and the recipe is easier than you think!
History of the Bloody Mary
The origin story of the Bloody Mary is something of a controversial subject, as there are a few theories floating around regarding the true creator of this cocktail.
A Parisian bartender named Fernand ‘Pete’ Petiot claimed to have created the drink back in 1921.
However, there are a couple of other possible creators of this cocktail to take into consideration, including New York bartender Henry Zbikiewicz and actor and comedian Georgie Jessel.
We may never know who truly came up with the idea, but Petiot has arguably got the strongest claim.
In an interview with The New Yorker in the mid-1960s, he claimed that others might have had the idea of blending tomato juice and vodka, but he was the brains behind all the extra ingredients, like Worcestershire sauce and black pepper for a little spice.
How to Make a Bloody Mary
You can use a bloody Mary mix in a pinch, but the best bloodies are made fresh!
Bloody Mary
For this classic Bloody Mary recipe, which is often served in the morning or with lunch, you'll need to assemble quite a long list of ingredients and blend them together with care. The ingredients listed below should produce enough of this cocktail to fill a standard highball glass.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Ounce Vodka
- 1 ½ Ounce Vodka
- 3 Ounces Tomato Juice
- 3 Ounces Tomato Juice
- ½ Ounce Lemon Juice
- ½ Ounce Lemon Juice
- 1 Splash Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Splash Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Splash Tobasco sauce
- 1 Splash Tobasco sauce
- 1 Pinch Black Pepper
- 1 Pinch Black Pepper
- 1 Pinch Celery Salt
- 1 Pinch Celery Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Horseradish
- 1 Teaspoon Horseradish
- 1 Lemon & Lime Wedge for Garnish
- 1 Lemon & Lime Wedge for Garnish
- 1 Celery Stalk for Garnish
- 1 Celery Stalk for Garnish
Instructions
- Prepare your glass by rubbing a lemon or lime wedge around the rim
- Next, sprinkle the celery salt on a plate and roll the edge of the glass through the celery salt to get an even coating
- Add ice to the glass and place it to the side for later
- Prepare a shaker and add all the remaining ingredients, shaking gently to mix
- Strain the mixture from the shaker into the highball glass
- Add any garnishes for decoration as desired
Bloody Mary Variations
The Bloody Mary is a flexible cocktail that may be tailored to each person’s preferences.
Despite the fact that the traditional recipe normally calls for vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, spicy hot sauce, and spices, there are many modifications that may be made to produce a distinctive flavor profile.
Bloody Maria
With a distinctive twist on the original recipe, the Bloody Maria is a well-liked variant of the traditional Bloody Mary cocktail that uses tequila instead of vodka.
While the other conventional ingredients, such as tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and spices, provide the usual savory and spicy characteristics, the addition of lime juice gives the beverage a citrusy tang.
Bloody Caesar
A Canadian variation on the traditional Bloody Mary cocktail is the Bloody Caesar.
Clamato juice, a mixture of tomato and clam juice, is used in place of tomato juice to give the beverage a distinctive flavor and a somewhat salty taste.
A celery stalk, lime wedge, and pickled green bean are usually added as garnishes to the drink, which is traditionally served with a celery salt rim. If you like a spicy bloody Mary, don’t forget the hot sauce!
Bloody Mary With a Kick
A hotter version of the traditional Bloody Mary cocktail is called the Bloody Mary with a Kick. The basic recipe is frequently modified to include horseradish and cayenne pepper, adding an additional layer of heat to the beverage.
The outcome is a spicy and tasty cocktail that is ideal for individuals who like their beverages with a little extra zing.
Best Way to Drink a Bloody Mary
As stated earlier on, a Bloody Mary is often enjoyed in the morning or at midday and is reputed as a possible ‘hangover cure’ because of its salt content and vegetable base.
It’s a fine choice to enjoy with a mid-morning brunch and can be served alongside foods like seafood, sandwiches, or red meats.
In some cases, a Bloody Mary can even be served with food like olives, shrimp, and cheese cubes inside the glass as a garnish.
There are also different variations of the Bloody Mary that cocktail enthusiasts can play around with. The Red Snapper, for instance, is a similar cocktail made with gin instead of vodka.
Bourbon and tequila may also be used, and those looking for an alcohol-free alternative can make a ‘Virgin Mary’ by omitting the vodka and adding more tomato juice.
Bloody Mary Garnishes
A classic cocktail known for its strong and savory flavors is the bloody mary. The variety of garnishes that are frequently added to a Bloody Mary is one of the drink’s distinctive characteristics.
Pickles, olives, celery stalks, and lemon wedges are a few common garnishes. Some bartenders and fans may add bacon, shrimp, oysters, or even miniature hamburgers to their Bloody Marys for a more opulent experience.
These garnishes provide the drink visual appeal in addition to offering a variety of textures and flavors that go well with the cocktail’s sour and spicy tomato base.
The choice of garnish ultimately boils down to taste preferences and desired amount of indulgence.
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