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Bloody Mary Variations

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Mix up brunch with one of these Bloody Mary variations. From vodka to bourbon, this savory cocktail stands up. Try it with one of these popular twists.

classic Bloody Mary cocktail on a bed of garnishes

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Your Guide to Every Bloody Mary Variation

Brunch wouldn’t be the same without the Bloody Mary. Many love this savory vodka cocktail as a newfangled “hangover cure,” but the origins of the Bloody Mary actually date back to the pre-prohibition era. It was invented in Paris at Harry’s New York Bar in the 1920s.

These days, this tomato drink — which is known for having a base spirit of vodka — is often mixed up with other spirits, new flavors and crazy garnishes.

So the next time you mix up a batch of your own Bloody Mary mix or set up a Bloody Mary bar, you can shake up all the popular twists on this classic cocktail and enjoy the ultimate Bloody Mary.

Twists on the Bloody Mary

Classic Bloodies

1
classic Bloody Mary cocktail on a bed of garnishes
Classic Bloody Mary
First up, we’ve got the classic Bloody Mary recipe. The classic brunch cocktail stars vodka and a mix of tomato juice, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.
Garnish with: a celery stalk and a rim of flavorful Bloody Mary salt (which you can make yourself with sea salt or kosher salt and spices)
GET THE RECIPE
2
A close up of a Bloody Caesar drink.
Bloody Caesar Cocktail
Indulge in the ultimate savory sensation with a Bloody Caesar cocktail. It's a harmonious blend of vodka and Clamato juice that's sure to elevate your brunch experience.
GET THE RECIPE
3
a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary with olives, tomatoes, cheese and celery on top
Virgin Bloody Mary
No booze, no problem! A non-alcoholic Bloody Mary can be just as good as the original. It's perfect for January 1st if you happen to be doing Dry January on National Bloody Mary Day! You’ve got some options:
  • Simply drink Bloody Mary mix on its own.
  • Substitute a zero-proof spirit for the vodka to make a Bloody Mary mocktail.
  • Add pickle brine or olive brine instead of booze.
Garnish with: pickles, cherry tomatoes, cocktail onions
GET THE RECIPE

Spirit swaps

4
garnishes on top of a red snapper cocktail
Red Snapper
Next up is the Red Snapper, which is the name for a Bloody Mary with gin. The botanical notes of gin work with the savory mix-ins of Bloody Mary mix.
Garnish with: blue cheese olives and herbs like basil, parsley or rosemary
GET THE RECIPE
5
asparagus and bacon in a bloody derby cocktail
Bloody Derby (Bloody Mary Anne)
Bourbon in a Bloody Mary? You bet. It's a great way to upgrade the classic cocktail. Its smoky, oaky, caramel notes of bourbon add sweetness to combat the savory flavors in the Bloody Mary.
Garnish with: bacon and pickled okra for a Southern touch
GET THE RECIPE
6
lemon wedges, bacon and celery in a rum bloody mary cocktail
Cubanita
Not to be outdone, rum can go in a Bloody Mary too! The Cubanita has a more subtle sweet-and-savory combo.
Garnish with: popcorn shrimp, lemon wedges and pickled asparagus
GET THE RECIPE
7
a michelada cocktail on a wood coaster
Michelada
Beer also works as a stand-in for a spirit. This one isn’t usually made with all the same ingredients as a traditional Bloody Mary, but it’s a tomato cocktail so it still counts. Use your favorite Mexican lager beer and fresh lime juice to make this sister cocktail from Mexico.
Garnish with: lime wedges, Bloody Mary salt rim
GET THE RECIPE
8
a tequila Bloody Mary with a salt rim and veggie garnishes
Bloody Maria
The Maria is similar to the Mary, but she’s made with tequila or mezcal instead. Feel free to make this one spicy with jalapeño tequila or keep it mild.
Garnish with: lime wedges, pickled jalapeños and cilantro
GET THE RECIPE

Unique add-ins

9
hot sauce with a Spicy Bloody Mary
Spicy Bloody Mary
Love spice? This one’s for you. Mix things up with more black pepper, more hot sauce and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Make it with spicy chili-infused vodka if you dare.
Garnish with: pepper jack cheese, jalapeño peppers, cucumbers
GET THE RECIPE
10
Two Bloody Mary cocktails garnished with shrimp, pickles, olives, cherry tomatoes, herbs, and lemon wedges, with chili peppers and olives on the table.
callmepmc.com
Old Bay Bloody Mary
Old Bay Seasoning brings its flavor-packed blend of spices to every sip. Add a scoop to your base, use it in your rim salt or use Old Bay vodka (yes, that's a thing). This recipe is all about big, bold flavors and as many toppings as you can balance on top!
Garnishes: Old Bay rim salt, mini crab cakes, shrimp
GET THE RECIPE
11
Two glasses of spicy Sangrita with jalapeños and limes.
Sangrita
Sangrita is a sweet-and-savory tomato drink that works as a chaser to tequila shots. You can also sip it on its own or mix it into cocktails.
GET THE RECIPE
12
www.cakenknife.com
Green Bloody Mary
Tomatillos make a beautiful substitute for red tomatoes and turn this cocktail green. Made with tomatillo, yellow tomato and cucumber, this recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, too.
Garnish with: tomatillos, cherry tomatos, shrimp, cucumber
Get the Recipe
13
the garnishes on a new orleans Bloody Mary
New Orleans Bloody Mary
This variation has a Louisiana twist. It adds Cajun hot sauce and Creole seasoning, plus some crawfish bitters for extra flavor.
Garnish with: a rim of spicy potato chips, shrimp or crawfish, pickled green beans
GET THE RECIPE
14
A glass of tomato juice with ice and celery, a slice of toast with toppings, and a bowl of grapes in the background.
nutmegnanny.com
Horseradish Bloody Mary
Spicy grated horseradish adds the bite to this cocktail, and this one has extra. This Horseradish Bloody Mary is slightly spicy, packed full of flavor and the perfect addition to any party or brunch.
Garnishes: steak bites or meatballs with horseradish cream sauce
GET THE RECIPE

Presentation ideas

15
cropped-easy-homemade-bloody-mary-mix-image.jpg
Bloody Mary Bar
Serve up the mix, a few spirits from earlier in this list and a selection of rim salts and garnishes. Let guests skewer their own creations. These are perfect for brunch and game day.
GET THE RECIPE
16
www.taketwotapas.com
Bloody Mary Shots
These miniature Bloody Marys are perfect for parties. Made with Bloody Mary mix and hot pepper vodka, these puppies are sure to bring a kick.
Garnish with: smoked salt on the rim, lime wedge
Get the Recipe
17
Several large plastic syringes filled with red liquid are arranged on a bed of ice with slices of lemon visible nearby.
Bloody Mary Shot Syringes
These Bloody Mary Shot Syringes are a fun party gag. Filled with Bloody Mary mix and vodka (or your variation of choice), they’re a fun way to serve your favorite cocktail. Just shoot them straight into your mouth or squeeze into a cup of ice for the best Halloween cocktail. They're not only perfect for Halloween — they'd work for April Fools Day, medical retirement parties or anytime you need a prank cocktail.
Garnish with: lemon wedges
GET THE RECIPE

Even more Bloody Mary variations

If that wasn’t enough ideas, here are a few more ways you can switch up your bloodies with other spirits or add-ins:

  • Bloody Pirate: Mix it up with spiced rum.
  • Bloody Bull: Add beef broth into the mix.
  • Bloody Scotsman: Scotch instead of vodka.
  • Bloody Molly: Replace the vodka with Irish Whiskey.

Bloody Mary foods

And if that’s not enough Bloody Marys for you, try it in your food! The savory flavors of a Bloody Mary lend themselves well to appetizers and main dishes especially. Here are a few ideas:

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About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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