Homemade Bloody Mary Mix

Liven up brunch and tailgates with Homemade Bloody Mary Mix! This DIY blend layers bright citrus, bold spice and deep savory flavors — perfect for guests to build their own brunch cocktails.

About this Homemade Bloody Mary Mix recipe

There’s nothing like a good Bloody Mary, is there? I distinctly remember all the good ones I’ve enjoyed with friends. For me, they simply make the day memorable, from the celery stalk garnishes to the complex savory flavors.

Similarly, it’s easy to remember a bad one too! That’s why the Bloody Mary mix you use is important. I prefer making my own mix — the store-bought stuff is always hit-or-miss for me. 

With the right balance of spice, tang and umami, this mix easily outshines anything store-bought — and you can tweak it exactly to your taste. (Don’t have time to make it? I taste-tested a bunch of Bloody Mary mix brands in search of the best store-bought version!)

Why you’ll love this recipe 

This Bloody Mary mix is so easy — and I know you’ll love it as much as I do. And don’t just take it from me, it has over 100 five-star reviews. 

• You can whip it up in about 10 minutes, and it makes enough for 24 cocktails — perfect for a crowd.
• Unlike with store-bought mixes, you’ll control both the freshness and flavors, tailoring your bloodies. You can scale back the horseradish, add sour pickle brine or douse on more hot sauce.
• Edible garnishes. Need I say more? (But I will anyway — I have 100+ suggestions for you!)

What is a Bloody Mary?

A classic cocktail made with vodka and tomato juice, everyone knows the classic Bloody Mary for its top spot on brunch menus everywhere. It has spicy, sour and umami flavors packed into every sip.

Many love this savory vodka cocktail as a newfangled “hangover cure,” but the origins of the drink actually date back to the pre-prohibition era. It was invented in Paris at Harry’s New York Bar in the 1920s.

This savory drink is often jazzed up with embellishments like lemon juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce and garnished with as many fresh and pickled veggies, bacon, shrimp and lemon as you desire. (More ideas below!)

Though these drinks can be made by the glass, Bloody Mary mix is a pre-made solution that makes it easier to whip one up. Once made, all you need to do is mix it with vodka (or your spirit of choice), add your garnishes and drink up!

Ingredients

To make homemade Bloody Mary mix, here’s what you will need to stock up on at the grocery store:

1. Tomato juice: Tomato juice forms the backbone of a Bloody Mary. Choose a high-quality, 100% pure juice with no added sugar for the best bright, savory flavor. I prefer organic, but any unsweetened variety will do — you don’t want your bloodies tasting sweet!

2. Horseradish: Horseradish adds the signature spicy kick. Be sure to buy pure prepared horseradish, not “horseradish sauce,” which often contains mayo or cream.

3. Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens and balances the rich tomato base. Always squeeze it fresh if you can — bottled concentrate will work in a pinch, but fresh delivers the best zing.

4. Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce brings savory, umami richness into the mix. You probably already have this all-purpose sauce on hand — it’s the secret weapon behind classics like burgers and Caesar dressing.

5. Salt & pepper: A pinch of sea salt or kosher salt enhances all the flavors, while freshly cracked black pepper adds a bit of bite and texture. Always taste it before you season — it’s what brings the mix together, but too much or too little can throw it off.

6. Celery salt: Celery salt deepens the classic flavor you expect from a Bloody Mary, tying in with the signature celery stalk garnish. If you don’t have it, substitute with a little extra sea salt.

7. Hot sauce: Don’t be scared! A splash of hot sauce adds depth and gentle heat, not overwhelming spice. Tabasco, Tapatio and Texas Pete are great choices — but pick your favorite. Cholula is mine!

Best vodka for Bloody Marys

Keep your favorite vodka on hand for mixing. I always recommend using the best vodka you can afford. A premium vodka will make a big difference. My go-tos are Absolut, Deep Eddy and Tito’s, but on occasion, I will splurge on Reyka or something local.

But don’t pre-mix the vodka unless you’re sure you’ll use it all — no one wants to waste good booze!

Substitutions & variations

Want to mix things up? Try these ideas for a fun twist on the original Bloody Mary cocktail — this recipe is easy to customize to your taste. The joy of being your own bartender is the freedom to tweak them to your taste.

Spicy version: Swap in a spicy alcohol like hatch chile vodka or jalapeño tequila to kick up the heat right from the first pour. Then layer the flavors with a dash of cayenne pepper or a second type of hot sauce for extra heat and complexity.

Non-alcoholic version: This mix doesn’t contain any alcohol, so you can sip it on its own for a Mocktail Mary! You can also substitute a zero-proof spirit like Ritual gin alternative ^* or Seedlip Garden 108 ^*.  

Have fun! Try swapping in one or more of these as your own secret ingredients:

• dill pickle juice: Adds the flavor of briny, bright and fresh dill.
• lime juice: Provides an extra punch instead of or in addition to lemon juice.
• soy sauce or coconut aminos: Brings in the unique umami element.
• olive brine: Calls in the salty, oceanic flavor of olives.
• garlic powder: Layers in a savory, spicy undertone.
• liquid smoke: Infuses a hint of smokiness.

Pick one or two to try, and before you know it, you’ll have a signature Bloody Mary mix all your own!

Instructions

Ready to make the best Bloody Mary mix? Let’s go!

1. In a big bowl with a spout or even in a pitcher, combine all the ingredients (except the alcohol), and stir everything together until combined. I use a wooden spoon or spatula ^* — something long to stir it together.
2. You can pour it back into your tomato juice bottle to store it or keep it in a large pitcher. Store the mix in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.

Tools & equipment

I like to use two of these glass carafes ^* with lids for parties. I divide the mix in two, and keep the spare in the fridge for when we run out. But you can use any pitcher that you have.

For serving drinks, a highball glass ^* is typical. That’s because the Bloody Mary is usually served tall and over ice.

You’ll want to get cocktail picks or bamboo skewers ^* to use for the essential garnish, too. Bloody Mary garnishes tend to be heavy and need support.

bloody mary must-haves

glass carafes

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bamboo skewers

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bloody mary rim salt

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^*

How to make a Bloody Mary with mix

Now that you’ve made your own Bloody Mary mix, it’s time to put it to work. Here’s how to build a perfectly balanced Bloody Mary — with the right ratio of vodka to mix and all the best garnish tips.

1. Prepare your glass. Rim an ice-filled glass with Bloody Mary rim salt if you like a seasoned edge.
2. Add the base. Pour in 2 ounces of vodka and top with 6 ounces of Bloody Mary mix for a balanced 1:3 ratio. (For a stronger drink, use a 1:2 ratio instead.)
3. Garnish generously. Stack it high with your favorite toppings — think celery sticks, pickled veggies, crispy bacon or even shrimp. The bolder, the better!

How to adjust the recipe

If you make this recipe as I described it, you will have a classic Bloody Mary mix on your hands. The beauty of homemade is having an easy mix that’s designed for customizing.

Too bland? You can make this a spicy Bloody Mary mix by adding more hot sauce or horseradish. You can also use spicy tequila or flavored vodka.

Needs more flavor? Add dill pickle juice or olive brine. More Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce is also an option.

Too salty? Add 1-2 teaspoons of brown sugar to add a touch of sweetness and some balance for the salty and sour flavors. To avoid this, add just a little salt at a time and taste it before adding more. Some Bloody Mary rim salt can also add texture and flavor to each sip.

Uses for Bloody Mary mix

Use this mix to make Bloody Marys, of course, but it’s perfect for a number of similar savory tomato juice cocktails. The traditional recipe is made with vodka, but its sisters are made by substituting the alcohol for something else.

• Try a Bloody Maria with tequila or mezcal.
• Next is the Bloody Derby, made with bourbon. It sounds weird, but you’ve got to try it. 
• Made with gin, the Red Snapper — AKA the Bloody Bulldog — is my favorite version!
• The Cubanita, made with white rum, has so much flavor. 
• Make a Virgin Mary a few different ways: With zero-proof alcohol, with a little bit of olive brine or as mix that’s simply sipped plain.

Other tomato juice cocktails

There are also a host of other tomato cocktails that are made with different types of mixers.

• Make green Bloody Marys with tomatillo juice, yellow tomato and cucumber.
• Canada’s national cocktail, the Bloody Caesar, is made with clamato juice not Bloody Mary mix. Clamato juice combines tomato juice, dried clam broth and spices.
• The Bloody Bull is made with Bloody Mary mix, but also has beef stock added in, which is a great way to add in some extra meaty flavor.
• Sangrita is a fruity tomato drink from Mexico that’s often enjoyed as a tequila chaser, but it could be delicious as a Bloody Mary mix too.
• Then there’s the Michelada. It uses tomato juice, not Bloody Mary mix, plus lime juice, hot sauce and beer.

Garnish ideas

Bloody Marys aren’t the same without garnishes! Serve up a bunch of options and a handful of bamboo cocktail skewers.

Here are some favorite garnishes for the ultimate Bloody Mary:

• spicy salt: For the rims of the glass (or salt with Old Bay Seasoning)
• celery stalks
• pickles: A dill pickle spear, sliced dill pickles or cornichons
• pickled vegetables: such as okra, jalapeños, carrots, cauliflower, green beans or asparagus
• olives: These blue cheese olives are great.
• cocktail onions
• bacon: I like to bake bacon ahead of time to serve with Bloody Marys
• citrus: Usually a lemon wedge or lime wedge
• shrimp: This Old Bay steamed shrimp would be incredible
• tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes
• cheese: Cubes of cheddar or other flavorful cheeses
• snacky foods: Things like meatballs, fried oysters and mini sliders are always a fun touch.

Bloody Mary bar

If you’re having friends over for brunch or watching the big game, why not whip up a pitcher of homemade mix to keep on hand? You can also take it on the go for a tailgate or a picnic. Ask everyone to bring a creative garnish to keep it fun!

There are so many choices when it comes to these savory cocktails. So why choose? Set up your own Bloody Mary bar for a party and let your guests decide! 

All you need is your favorite mix, lots of optional garnishes and a few types of booze for your friends and family to create their favorite bloody!

Another idea is to set up a mimosa bar to complement your savory cocktail bar! Pour a few different types of juices (like apple cider, cranberry or guava juice) into pitchers and place them next to a few bottles of champagne, a bottle of triple sec and fruity garnishes for an easy and impressive DIY drink station. (Maybe some beer too, for a beermosa!)

bloody mary bar essentials

glass carafes

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art deco cocktail picks

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highball glass

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^*

Food and drink pairings

You can enjoy them while watching football, for brunch with friends or any time you are in the mood. I love serving them with Bloody Mary salsa, which has vodka too!

They’re great with savory breakfast foods like simple eggs and bacon or something fancier like shakshuka or eggs benedict. (Personally, I don’t love a bloody with sweet breakfast foods like pancakes — that’s mimosa territory.)

This breakfast martini would also be perfect alongside a Bloody Mary! It’s made with orange marmalade, gin and citrus juices. Or have a little fun with an Irish breakfast shot.

And don’t forget the coffee. Cold brew coffee concentrate and some homemade coffee creamer deserve a spot on the table as well! (Those with hangovers will thank you.)

FAQ

I get a lot of questions about homemade Bloody Mary mix — here are my best tips to help you make, store and tweak it to perfection.