How to Make a Classic Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary is one of the most recognizable drinks in the world. Bold and distinctly savory, it’s a brunch staple with countless variations — but at its core, it’s a vodka cocktail made with tomato juice, lemon juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned with salt and pepper and garnished with a lemon wedge and a celery stick.

Below, you’ll find a quick overview of the drink, what’s in it and a video showing how to make it.

What Is a Bloody Mary?

A Bloody Mary is a classic savory cocktail — one of the few drinks built to taste more like a seasoned drink than a sweet one.

Unlike most cocktails, it leans into spice, salt and acidity rather than sugar, which gives it a bold, brunch-table reputation few other drinks have.

What’s in a Bloody Mary?

A Bloody Mary is never just one thing. Everyone has their own version, their own spice level and, usually, their own garnish. Here’s what’s in a classic Bloody Mary:

• 50 ml Absolut Vodka
• 120 ml tomato juice
• 4 dashes hot sauce
• 10 ml Worcestershire sauce
• 10 ml lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Lemon wedge, to garnish
• Celery stick, to garnish

How to Make a Bloody Mary

Want to see how it comes together? Watch the short below, where Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, shows how to make a Bloody Mary.

If you’d rather read the full recipe, check out our Absolut Bloody Mary recipe.

Why Is the Bloody Mary So Popular?

The Bloody Mary has lasted because it commits — savory, distinctive and endlessly adaptable, which makes it a favorite for brunch and beyond.

It also leaves plenty of room for personal taste. Some people like it fiery, others prefer it a little more citrus-led, and some turn the garnish into a meal of its own — olives, bacon, cheese skewers, pickled vegetables and just about anything else they can get away with.

What Does a Bloody Mary Taste Like?

A classic Bloody Mary — made to the recipe above — is savory, tangy, spicy and slightly salty, with a rich tomato base and a sharp citrus edge. The vodka gives it structure, while the seasoning adds depth and heat.

Since everyone makes it a little differently, flavor and heat level can vary widely from one Bloody Mary to the next.

How Do You Make a Spicy Bloody Mary? 

A Spicy Bloody Mary is made the same way as a classic Bloody Mary, but with Absolut Tabasco, our chili pepper-flavored vodka, in place of Absolut Vodka — the one swap that turns up the heat while keeping everything else about the recipe the same.

See the full recipe for our Spicy Bloody Mary or watch the video below:

—

Looking for more drink-spiration? Explore our cocktail recipes.