Learn how to craft the perfect Bloody Mary—a cocktail with flavors so bold and a kick so tangy, it’s nothing short of a classic.
A Bloody Mary is a one-of-a-kind cocktail. You’ve got that fierce mix of vodka, tomato juice, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and that little hit of Tabasco. This drink is as invigorating as it is boozy – it’s as if it’s daring you to take a sip (or, let’s be real, probably a few).
Making a Bloody Mary isn’t just some quick fix, it’s almost like a little ceremony. Every stir of the spoon, every shake in the cocktail shaker, brings you one step closer to that powerful, headstrong drink.
Of course, we often put Bloody Marys with other savory booze options—like the Bullshot, which is basically a Bloody Mary that decided to toss tomato juice for beef broth, or the Michelada, that swapped vodka for beer. But none of them bring that same ‘hold onto your hats’ level of intensity a top-notch Bloody Mary does.
How to Make a Healthy/Low-Calorie Bloody Mary
- Go easy on the vodka. Less booze, fewer calories.
- Try low-sodium tomato juice or even better, squeeze your own.
- Ditch Tabasco. I like to go natural with freshly ground horseradish or cayenne pepper.
- To make a Bloody Mary mocktail, simply do away with the vodka. There are so many flavors at work in one of these that you won’t even notice.
Tips & Tricks to Making a Perfect Bloody Mary
- I like to use premium vodka and fresh tomato juice.
- Add a few extra dashes of Tabasco or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper if heat is your thing.
- Celery salt or smoked salt give a nice flavor.
- I sometimes chill my glass before salting. It’s worth it, it keeps your cocktail colder for a longer period.
- Try garnishing with olives, pickles, cherry tomatoes. I have even seen a slice of crispy bacon once!
FAQs & Tips
HOW TO MAKE AHEAD AND STORE
You can prepare a bunch of Bloody Marys in advance. Mix up the basics, like tomato juice, vodka and your choice of goodies (except the garnish and ice) and stash it in your fridge. Just before your guests arrive (assuming you’re making such a large amount for other people), drop the ice in the glasses, top it up with your ready-made brew, and get fancy with the garnish.
For leftovers, keep the remaining mix in your fridge for about a week. The freshness might drop a tad, particularly if you’ve left it with ice or garnishes, but it will still taste great. Semi-pro tip: If you’ve garnished your Bloody Mary, remove the garnishing before popping it into storage.
WHAT TYPE OF GLASS SHOULD I SERVE MY BLOODY MARY IN?
Fancy highball glasses are typically used but anything big enough for the drink, your ice, and all the fun garnishes will suffice.
HOW SHOULD I DRINK IT?
Just give it a gentle stir to mix in any spices that may have settled. Take your time sipping and tasting all the flavors. It’s an awesome sidekick to your brunch or breakfast.
DOES A BLOODY MARY REALLY CURE HANGOVERS?
Some swear by the Bloody Mary as a hangover cure because of the tomato juice (packed with the antioxidant lycopene), a dose of replenishing salts, and a smidge of reviving booze. But again, it really depends on who you ask.
WHAT KIND OF VODKA DO I NEED TO USE?
While you can use any vodka that’s hiding in your cabinet, stepping up your game with a high-quality vodka can really boost the taste of your Bloody Mary.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 3 ounces tomato juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3-4 drops Tabasco (or to taste)
- 1/2 lemon juice (around 1 tablespoon)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Ice cubes
- 1 celery stick (for garnish)
- 1 slice lemon (for garnish)
Instructions
- Dip the rim of your glass into a plate of lemon juice. Dip it into a plate of salt to create your classic salted rim. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Give it a good shake until combined.
- Pour your mixture into your prepared glass. Garnish with a celery stick and a slice of lemon.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment