This is the ultimate Bloody Mary recipe! This classic brunch cocktail (non-alcoholic version) is packed full of delicious ingredients mixed in this savory drink.
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The great thing about a classic Bloody Mary cocktail is that the tomato and spice mixture is the star of the show, making this a fantastic virgin drink.
I'm a sucker for a well-crafted spicy Bloody Mary, but I don't always need the alcohol. I will typically drink this for a little post-night-out pick-me-up the next morning. It's a personal preference, based on the severity of the previous night's consequences, whether I go for that added shot of vodka or not. Lucky for me, the most popular brunch cocktail out there relies on ingredients outside the alcohol world to create its nice finish.
🌟Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Classic recipe. Make this easy recipe for the holiday season, brunches and morning pick-me-ups.
- Customizable. Make your own Bloody Mary mix and tailor it specifically to your flavor preferences.
- Simple ingredients. Made with easy-to-find ingredients at your local grocery store or already in your pantry.
🥘Ingredients
- Tomato juice. There are several types of tomato juice you can use but I prefer something with minimal added ingredients. There are plenty of cheap tomato juice options at the grocery store including V8 juice.
- Olive juice or pickle juice. I usually have one or both of these in the fridge and both options add a salty briny flavor to the mix.
- Horseradish. Horseradish adds a distinctive, sharp heat and has a pungent, slightly bitter flavor that enhances the savory profile.
- Worcestershire sauce. Worcestershire sauce is a key ingredient in most Bloody Mary mixes that adds 5 flavor components: umami, sweet, sour, bitter and salty. It adds depth and complexity to the savory tomato juice.
- Green hot sauce. My secret ingredient to a well-rounded spicy drink is green hot sauce. The green hot sauce is slightly less fiery than its red counterpart but its fresh tangy flavor packs a flavor punch needed to balance out the other complex ingredients. Green Tabasco or Cholula are both great options.
- Acid. The acid in lemon and lime is used to balance out the savory, sweet and spicy flavors.
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
📖Substitutions & Variations
I created this recipe to be quite specific to my preferences. There is a wide array of recipes out there but I like mine on the dirty side. The "dirty" version is made with horseradish and olive brine. Feel free to tweak the ingredients to your taste buds!
- Vegan option. This recipe can easily be vegan-friendly, the only ingredient to watch out for is the Worcestershire sauce which is typically made with some sort of anchovy. Use a vegan Worcestershire sauce or even soy sauce.
- Garnishes. Have fun with this part. Garnish the outside of the glass with kosher salt or tajin. Add a celery stalk, lime wedge, olive, pickles... or even bacon!
- Spicy or mild. For a less spicy version, I recommend forgoing the horseradish. Though you could omit the hot sauce, I believe the horseradish adds complex heat that some might not like. Add extra hot sauce or extra horseradish if you like to spice things up.
🔪Instructions
Step 1: In a pitcher or large container, combine tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, green hot sauce, lemon juice, black pepper, and celery salt. Stir well to mix everything.
Step 2: Fill two glasses with ice cubes and pour the Bloody Mary mixture over the ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge, gherkin, olives and a celery stick.
💭Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. You can add more Worcestershire sauce for extra umami flavor, increase the acidity with additional lemon or lime juice, or experiment with different types of hot sauce for varying levels of heat.
Yes, if you prefer a different base, you can use alternatives like vegetable juice, Clamato juice, or even a combination of tomato and carrot juice for added sweetness.
Aside from the classic celery stalk, olives, and pickles, you can also try garnishing with crispy bacon strips, cocktail shrimp, green olives or even small slices of cheese for added flair.
👩🏻🍳Chef Tips
- Choose quality ingredients. Opt for high-quality organic tomato juice and fresh citrus fruits (lemon or lime) for the best flavor in your virgin Bloody Mary. Using fresh ingredients will enhance the overall taste of the cocktail.
- Make it ahead of time. A Bloody Mary is the perfect cocktail to make ahead of time! Mix in a large pitcher and let the flavors meld together overnight.
- Balance the flavors. Aim for a balanced flavor profile in your virgin Bloody Mary drink. Adjust the levels of acidity, sweetness, and spiciness to your liking by adding more or less lemon/lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or other seasonings.
- Experiment and have fun. One of my favorite things about Bloody Marys is that they can be tailored to fit your taste buds.
🥗Serving
Serve this virgin Bloody Mary for Sunday brunch with my simple French toast casserole, or on Easter Sunday alongside maple bourbon ham and baked smashed potatoes.
🥣Storage & Reheating
This recipe has perishable ingredients which means it needs to be stored in the refrigerator. For the best virgin cocktail, I recommend drinking this the same day or the next day for peak freshness. Store covered in a pitcher or large container.
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Virgin Bloody Mary Drink
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Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups tomato juice
- ⅓ cup olive juice or pickle juice
- 2 tablespoons horseradish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons green hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: Celery stalks, lemon wedges
Instructions
- In a pitcher or large container, combine tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, green hot sauce, lemon juice, pepper, and celery salt.
- Stir well to mix everything together
- Fill two glasses with ice cubes.
- Pour the Bloody Mary mixture over the ice in each glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge, gherkin, olives and a celery stick.
Sarah's Tips
- Choose quality ingredients. Opt for high-quality organic tomato juice and fresh citrus fruits (lemon or lime) for the best flavor in your virgin Bloody Mary. Using fresh ingredients will enhance the overall taste of the cocktail.
- Make it ahead of time. A Bloody Mary is the perfect cocktail to make ahead of time! Mix in a large pitcher and let the flavors meld together overnight.
- Balance the flavors. Aim for a balanced flavor profile in your virgin Bloody Mary drink. Adjust the levels of acidity, sweetness, and spiciness to your liking by adding more or less lemon/lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or other seasonings.
- Experiment and have fun. One of my favorite things about Bloody Marys is that they can be tailored to fit your taste buds.
- This recipe has perishable ingredients which means it needs to be stored in the refrigerator. For the best virgin cocktail, I recommend drinking this the same day or the next day for peak freshness. Store covered in a pitcher or large container.
KITCHEN TOOLS NEEDED
- 1 Pitcher
- 1 Knife and cutting board
- Measuring spoons and cups
Danielle says
By far the best bloody mary ever! I get so many rave reviews when I make this. You don't even miss the vodka.
AM says
I've been searching for a good homemade bloody mary... this did not disappoint! Safe to say I've found the recipe and can't wait to make them again!
Sarah Hill says
Glad to hear you enjoyed them!!