The classic Bloody Mary is a brunch-time favorite that happens to be really easy to make. This spicy cocktail is delicious any time of day! We make ours on the stovetop so it’s easily made for a crowd!
What’s in This Bloody Mary Recipe?
Becky got this recipe from her friend Chris at her old job. This was Chris’s grandma’s secret recipe for the perfect Bloody Mary. One sip, and you’ll agree. We are all very, very lucky to be in on the secret!
- Vegetable Juice: We like to use low-sodium vegetable or tomato juice because this recipe already has a lot of added salt. V8 makes a great low sodium 100% vegetable juice, and they also make their own Bloody Mary mix as well!
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a touch of umami flavor and extra saltiness.
- Tabasco Sauce: Adds a spicy kick! Use more or less as desired.
- Celery Salt: Adds a nice vegetal saltiness.
- Seasoning Salt: Adds a nice depth of flavor and more saltiness. We like Lawry’s, but any brand will work. For a low-sodium option, look for a salt-free seasoning blend instead. Look for something that includes sugar, paprika, turmeric, and onion!
- Beef Bouillon Cubes: Add a great depth of flavor without diluting the vegetable juice. You could also use an equivalent amount of bouillon paste. Again, you can opt for a lower-sodium version.
- Vodka: Use a good-quality vodka you know you like the taste of. We love Tito’s because it’s a little bit sweet which balances out all of the savoriness.
- Garnishes: You could garnish these bad boys with so many different things. We chose celery, lemon, olives, and pickles. We think making them look nice is part of the fun of this drink!
Variations on Bloody Marys
A classic Bloody Mary is made with vodka, but you can swap out the alcohol for something that’s more up your alley. We’ve seen a bloody mary with tequila, gin, whiskey, and even rum! You could also try making a bloody mary with beer for a low-ABV drink.
For a clamato Bloody Mary, swap some or all of the V8 for clamato juice. Make it spicier by swapping the V8 for V8 Spicy Hot 100% Vegetable Juice or add more Tabasco. You could also add a few jalapeño slices for garnish or add some cayenne pepper to the salt rim.
How to Store
Store leftover Bloody Marys in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Grab your toothpicks and garnish these Bloody Marys with some delicious one-bite snacks, like bacon wrapped shrimp, blue cheese stuffed olives, or herb marinated mozzarella. For a more filling experience, add a mini meal, like antipasto skewers or mini chicken and waffles. The possibilities are unlimited!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
Making Bloody Marys on the stove is the easiest way to make it, and we think it’s the best method around! The flavors really blend well by being cooked together.
Bloody Mary Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 ounces V8 Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice or V8 Bloody Mary Mix
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce
- 2 teaspoons celery salt
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt We used Lawry's
- 3 beef bouillon cubes
- ½ cup vodka to taste (Titos recommended)
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients except for the vodka together in a pot and heat on the stovetop over medium-low heat24 ounces V8 Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice, 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce, 2 teaspoons celery salt, ½ teaspoon seasoning salt, 3 beef bouillon cubes
- Cook until the bouillon cubes have fully dissolved, stirring occasionally
- Set aside to cool.
- Add a shot of vodka to each glass, and pour V8 mixture over the vodka.½ cup vodka
- Stir. Garnish as desired.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make a Bloody Mary Step by Step
Cook the Juice: Mix 24 ounces of V8 Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice, 4 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons of Tabasco sauce, 2 teaspoons of celery salt, ½ teaspoon of seasoning salt, and 3 beef bouillon cubes together in a pot and heat on the stovetop over medium-low heat Cook until the bouillon cubes have fully dissolved, stirring occasionally Set aside to cool.
Pour the Drinks: Add a shot of vodka to each glass, and pour the V8 mixture over the vodka. Stir the drinks well, then garnish as desired.
Bloody Mary, also known as Queen Mary I (or Mary Tudor), was the first ever queen to rule over England in her own right. She earned the nickname “Bloody Mary” because of how many Protestant heretics she burned at the stake during her reign. This drink is said to be named for her mostly due to its bright red color.
The flavor might catch you off guard if you don’t know what to expect. It’s spicy, salty, and overall a savory flavor. It reminds us of vegetable soup and salsa, all rolled into one. For some, it’s an acquired taste.
Yes and no. This cocktail is high in potassium, vitamins A and C, and calcium; however, it is also notoriously high in sodium. Enjoy in moderation.
To make this recipe non-alcoholic, simply omit the vodka. You could add a bit more V8 to make up for the loss of volume if desired.
Can you make these a few hours ahead of time and then chill the mixture until you are ready to use it?
Your directions of a “tall” can of V-8 is not very accurate. Please define ounces, I love a Bloody Mary and yours sounds very good! Thank you!
Your food photos are gorgeous! I really need to get a good camera and stop using my iPhone. And, I need way better lighting in my kitchen! I was watching Last Vegas last night and there was a conversation about Bloody Marys. I’ve never actually tried them! I think I’ll give this a try!
#SITSBlogging
THANK YOU! I just recently got a better camera and quit using the iphone and I’m still learning, but its really made a difference. your site is awesome! I just popped over there and checked it out. what a cute blog name! love it :)
These look delicious! How many ounces is the can of v8?
The 46 ounce cans are what I used. Thanks for stopping by!