Finally! I have a signature Bloody Mary recipe for you. (And for me.) Most store-bought Bloody Mary mixes are full of preservatives and other nonsense. I’ve wanted a great homemade option for years, but my previous attempts either tasted flat or sent me running for a glass of water.
I know Bloody Marys are a polarizing cocktail, but I’m excited to share this recipe with my fellow Bloody Mary lovers. (For the Bloody Mary haters, can I interest you in a mimosa?) These Bloody Marys are made with basic ingredients but tastes fresh, spicy and complex all at once. Invite your friends over, whip up these cocktails in a blender (you can make four at once), and enjoy!
How to Make the Best Bloody Mary
Start with high-quality ingredients
The tomato juice is the base of your cocktail, so choose a good one! I buy organic since tomatoes tend to be high in pesticide residue. R.W. Knudsen’s organic tomato juice is my favorite. Choose a high quality vodka, too. Tito’s is made in Austin, Texas, and it’s my vodka of choice.
Add fresh cucumber, garlic and black pepper
Fresh peeled and seeded cucumber completely disappears into the tomato juice mixture, but adds a lot of fresh flavor. Fresh garlic and freshly ground black pepper are key flavors as well. You’ll add those after you’ve blended the mixture smooth. Then you can blend the mixture for just a few seconds to retain their texture. Or, you can blend it completely smooth. Up to you!
Make a few at once
You really don’t want to be making these cocktails individually—it’s much easier to make a batch of four drinks in your blender at once! You could divide the recipe in half to make just two cocktails. If your blender has a large capacity, you might be able to double the recipe (you might just stir in the vodka at the end, to avoid overflow).
Top with fun garnishes
I like to use fresh garnishes, like leafy celery sticks or little heirloom carrots, mini bell peppers or cherry tomatoes, and fresh lemon or lime. Add something brined, too, like dill pickles, pickled okra or cocktail olives.
Pro tip: Serve with a glass of water
You’re combining alcohol and salty tomato juice here. To stay hydrated, serve this cocktail with a glass of water! (Always a good idea.)
*Make it vegetarian/vegan/fish-free: Most Worcestershire sauces contain anchovies, so be sure to use vegan Worcestershire sauce. I like Whole Foods 365 or Annie’s brands.
