Bloody Mary Cocktail: From Traditional to Modern Twists

The Bloody Mary drink

My roommate had a hangover last night, and guess what she had this morning? A Bloody Mary cocktail. At first, I thought she was crazy, but it turns out this drink is often consumed in the morning or early afternoon, especially as a hangover cure. How interesting is that!

Classic Bloody Mary Cocktail recipe

Bloody Mary is an iconic beverage. It combines vodka, tomato juice, and a blend of spices to create a complex flavor profile that’s both invigorating and satisfying. This drink originated in the 1920s with different origin theories.

One theory credits bartender Fernand Petiot at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, who mixed tomato juice and vodka for Ernest Hemingway. Another theory links the name to Queen Mary I of England, known as “Bloody Mary.”

Classic bloody mary cocktail recipe

Bloody Mary has become a cultural icon in the world of cocktails. It is synonymous with brunch culture and is often touted as a hangover cure. While it may not completely cure a hangover, its unique combination of ingredients can provide some relief and help alleviate symptoms like nausea or headaches. I need to learn the recipe instead of just sticking to vegetable juices!

Here is how to make the Bloody Mary cocktail:

bloody mary cocktail with cocktail sauce

Traditional Bloody Mary Cocktail

A classic brunch cocktail that combines vodka with tomato juice and a variety of spices and flavorings. It's popular for its supposed hangover-curing properties and its ability to be made with varying levels of spiciness to suit individual tastes.
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Prep Time 6 minutes
Course Liqueur
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz tomato juice
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 dashes of hot sauce like Tabasco
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 pinch of ground black pepper
  • 1 pinch of smoked paprika optional
  • 1 pinch of celery salt
  • Ice cubes
  • Celery stalk or lemon wedge or olives for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
  • Add the vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and celery salt.
  • Shake gently to mix.
  • Strain into a glass filled with ice.
  • Garnish with a celery stalk, lemon wedge, and olives.

Notes

The drink can be garnished with celery, olives, cheese cubes, dill pickle spear, lemon wedges, dried sausage, bacon, shrimp, and more

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal
Keyword alcohol, bloody mary cocktail, hangover cure
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You can adjust the spice level of the cocktails based on the number of hot sauce drops and the type of sauce. Here are some popular options:

  • Ghost Pepper Sauce: Extreme heat for the adventurous
  • Tabasco: Classic, vinegary heat
  • Sriracha: Garlicky, sweet heat
  • Cholula: Tangy, mild heat with a hint of garlic
  • Frank’s RedHot: Cayenne pepper-based, tangy heat

Variations

I think Bloody Mary Cocktail is quite interesting. Not only can you garnish the drink with different kinds of food and fruit, but you can also create numerous versions of it.

1. Superhot Bloody Mary

This variation adds horseradish for an extra spicy kick. You can start with 1/4 teaspoon per drink.

Bloody Mary garnished with Shrimp

2. Exploring garnish

  • Bloody Mary Shrimp: Add clam juice, Old Bay, and horseradish, and garnish with a shrimp.
  • Absurdly Garnished Mary: Excessively garnish the drink with various items like hamburgers, pizzas, or oyster crackers.

3. Savory Additions

Savory additions can elevate the umami profile of a Bloody Mary:

  • Bloody Caesar: While the Bloody Mary typically uses tomato juice, the Bloody Caesar uses Clamato juice, which is a mixture of tomato juice and clam broth. This gives the Bloody Caesar a distinct flavor profile that is often described as more savory and complex than the traditional one.
  • Bacon Bloody Mary: Infuse the base spirit with bacony goodness and garnish with bacon.
  • Bloody Bull: Use beef bouillon with tomato juice for a savory twist.
  • Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters: Add an oyster to a shot glass with traditional Bloody Mary ingredients.
  • Bloody Maria: Replace vodka with tequila for a tequila-based Bloody Mary.
    Bloody Caesar: Use Clamato juice (a blend of clam broth and tomato juice) for a briny and umami-rich flavor. This variation pairs well with Mexican-inspired garnishes like jalapeños or cilantro.
A glass of Bloody Caesar
Bloody Mary cocktail is popular in the United States and other parts of the world, while Bloody Caesar is the official cocktail of Canada

4. Blood Mary with other alcoholic bases

Instead of vodka, you can use other bases to make the cocktail more interesting:

  • Bloody Pirate: Use dark, spiced rum instead of vodka for a different flavor profile.
  • Red Beer: Combine beer, tomato juice, and Bloody Mary seasoning for a spicy and easy-to-make drink.
  • Michelada: Use lighter Cerveza beer from Mexico for a summery taste.
  • Brown Mary: Use whiskey instead of vodka.
  • Ruddy Mary: Use gin instead of vodka.

5. Other variations

  • Green Bloody Mary: Replace tomato juice with tomatillo juice or green tomato juice for a tangy and vibrant green version.
  • Bloody Eight: Use V8 juice instead of a Bloody Mary mix.
  • Virgin Mary: A non-alcoholic version, perfect for those who prefer to skip the alcohol. It retains all the flavors of the original, minus the vodka. To make a Virgin Mary:
    • Use the standard Bloody Mary mix
    • Replace vodka with extra tomato juice or vegetable juice
    • Increase spices slightly to compensate for the missing vodka
    • Garnish as you would a regular Bloody Mary

How to pair with food

1. Brunch Pairings

Bloody Mary complements a wide range of brunch dishes. Its savory profile makes it an ideal companion for rich, hearty foods. Some classic pairings I often recommend include:

  • Eggs Benedict: The acidic tomato juice cuts through the rich hollandaise
  • Bacon and eggs: The cocktail’s spiciness enhances the smoky bacon flavors
  • Avocado toast: The creamy avocado balances the drink’s heat
  • Quiche: The savory egg dish harmonizes with the umami notes in the cocktail

2. Appetizers and Small Plates

Bloody Mary pairs well with various appetizers and small plates. Its complex flavor profile can enhance the taste of many dishes.

  1. Oysters: The briny seafood complements the cocktail’s acidity
  2. Charcuterie board: The salty meats and cheeses balance the drink’s spiciness
  3. Stuffed mushrooms: The earthy flavors harmonize with the tomato base
  4. Bruschetta: The fresh tomatoes echo the cocktail’s main ingredient

3. Seafood Pairings

Seafood is an excellent match for Bloody Mary cocktail due to its often delicate flavors that are enhanced by the cocktail’s bold profile. Some standout pairings include:

  • Shrimp cocktail: A classic pairing that never fails
  • Crab cakes: The sweet crab meat contrasts nicely with the spicy drink
  • Grilled fish tacos: The citrus notes in the cocktail complement the fish
  • Smoked salmon: The smoky flavors are amplified by the drink’s savory elements

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