Homemade Bloody Mary Mix Recipe

Updated on: May 17, 2023

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Homemade Bloody Mary Mix is a quick and easy recipe!

It makes the perfect weekend drink and you can adjust the spiciness to your own taste

Once you make your own you’ll never want to go back to the store bought variety again because the taste is so fresh

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Table of contents

Making Homemade Bloody Mary Mix:

Every great Bloody Mary starts with a perfect Bloody Mary Mix!

I bought a store made mix for years, so when I made it at home the first time I was surprised how easy and economical it was to put together. Now, I always make my own and now you can too!

Bloody Marys always remind me of girls’ weekends, lazy beach days, and fun brunches. The trend right now is to add lots of fun garnishes to your bloody. This includes everything from bacon, shrimp, pickled beans, and baby cheeseburgers!

It’s so much fun to build a “Bloody Mary Bar” for parties because the choices are endless and everyone can add their favorite garnish.

Homemade Bloody Mary Mix Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (2)

After experimenting with many different versions I came up with an easy mix. You can use this as a base and add or subtract as much spice as you would like.

How do you make Bloody Mary Mix from scratch?

Tomato Paste:

I use tomato paste instead of tomato juice as the base because it gives the mix a richer flavor. I like the ability to add water to the paste and make it as thick or thin as I want.

For every 6-ounce can of tomato paste, add about 3.5 cups of water to create the base for the mix. I whirl mine in a blender but you can easily whisk it or shake everything in a container.

The Spices:

This is where the fun really begins because you can tailor the mix to your own taste. This recipe is pretty classic so use these “must-have” ingredients as your guide and finesse it from there.

Worcestershire Sauce – adds a depth of flavor
Minced fresh garlic or garlic powder – either will work
Hot sauce – Tabasco or Cholula Hot Sauce are good choices
Celery Salt – or celery powder
Onion powder – or onion salt (but omit regular salt)
Lemon juice – freshly squeezed!
Horseradish – add more or less to suit your spice level preference
Salt and pepper – to taste

How to make Bloody Marys

Once the homemade mix is made the rest is easy!

To salt the rim of the glass: shake some celery salt onto a shallow plate. Rub lemon, lime, or water around the rim of your glasses and then dip into the celery salt.
Add some crushed ice to the glasses.
For each drink: Combine, in a co*cktail shaker, 8-ounces of the prepared mix with 2-ounces of your favorite vodka and some crushed ice.
Shake well and then strain into the prepared glasses.
Add your favorite garnishes and serve.

Homemade Bloody Mary Mix Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (3)

Variations on traditional Bloody Mary

Bloody Maria – swap the vodka for tequila
Bloody Caesar – use Aquavit instead of vodka
Virgin Mary – Just the mix – no alcohol!

Garnishes for delicious Bloody Marys

Here are some fun garnish ideas to try, with and without a toothpick, to hold them in place:

Celery stalk
Cooked piece of bacon
A grilled or poached large piece of shrimp
Jumbo olives stuffed with blue cheese or pimento
Lime or lemon wedge
Dill pickle spear
Pickled onion or green bean
Cornichon
Mini-Burger

How long does bloody mary mix last in the refrigerator?

You can store the mix in the refrigerator for about 2-3 weeks. Keep it tightly sealed and shake occasionally as seasonings will settle to the bottom.

Have you tried Bloody Mary Shooters with Shrimp or Oysters?

Make these fun Bloody Mary Shooter appetizers with this recipe. You just need shot glasses and a few garnishes. Great for any party!

Homemade Bloody Mary Mix Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (5)

Looking for some brunch recipes to pair with Bloody Marys?

How about making a Mimosa Bar and fluffy Homemade Waffles to go along with your Bloody Mary Bar for the perfect brunch combo!

Crustless Quiche Egg Bites
Buttermilk Pancakes
Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Apples
Baked Churro Donuts
Cinnamon Baked Pears

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Print Recipe

Homemade Bloody Mary Mix is a quick and easy recipe for a great spicy Bloody Mary. The perfect weekend drink!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: co*cktails, Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 8-ounce drinks

Calories: 48kcal

Author: Cyndy Ufkes – The Art of Food and Wine

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

Bloody Mary Mix

6 ounces tomato paste
3½ cups water
2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbsp chopped garlic, about 2 cloves, or 1 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Cholula, or to taste
1½ tsp celery salt
1½ tsp onion powder
1 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp horseradish, or to taste
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
⅓ tsp salt

Bloody Mary Drink Ingredients

1 Tbsp celery salt, for the rim of the glass
8 oz Bloody Mary Mix
2 oz vodka, or to taste
Garnishes

Instructions

Combine all Bloody Mary Mix ingredients in a blender and blend for about 30 seconds.

Notes

The calorie count is for Bloody Mary Mix only. If adding vodka, add 140 calories for 2 ounces of vodka.

Want to make ahead and preserve?

High acid foods can be safely Water Bath Canned
“Hot Water Canning” is an excellent way to preserve high-acid fruits and vegetables. It is a straight-forward and easy process and we walk you through it step-by-step.

Nutrition

Reader Interactions

Comments

Steve
November 21, 2022 at 12:15 pm

Made this for the first time for a Sunday brunch, it was real good. first time I had a bloody mary mix with the garlic, and i liked the fact it wasnt over powering. The only thing i did different was i used fresh squeezed lemon and lime juice, and upped the horse radish and black ground pepper because I like it a little extra spicey. I also made ice cubes with this mix,and used those instead of regular ice, so it wouldn’t reduce the flavor as they melted, plus it lets you stuff an extra pour of vodka in there as well. Made a total of 3 Bloody marys using 24 ounce mugs with 5 shots of vodka per mug and the frozen mix of cubes.Topped of each one with a colassal jumbo shrimp, fat slim jim stick, a stalk of celery and a skewer of 3 Blue cheese stuffed jumbo green olives, brunch in a mug!
Reply
- Cyndy
  November 21, 2022 at 1:45 pm
  Wow – love all the new ideas. The ice cube trick is brilliant – thanks for stopping by and sharing these awesome ideas.
  Reply
Terri
November 05, 2022 at 12:55 pm

Great and easy mix. “One day” I’m going to can some tomatoes and use those. This recipe (as I stopped and taste tested) made me more aware of what spices fit my taste best.
Now, I’m up for John’s recipe and some crab! I love that he uses Old Bay. I live in Alabama and I always use a sprinkle of Tony Chachere’s creole seasoning or BBQ dry rub in mine and on the rim.
Reply
Scott
October 08, 2022 at 2:47 pm

Made this afternoon, really good! Thanks
Reply
Allyson Rotramel
October 22, 2021 at 11:22 am
I have a question – how long will this last in the frige and can it be frozen???
Reply
- Cyndy
  October 22, 2021 at 4:02 pm
  Hi – great question! I usually suggest refrigeration for about 7 days. I haven’t tried freezing it but I think it would definitely work. Just make sure to shake well once it is thawed out. Thanks for stopping by!
  Reply
John
September 24, 2021 at 4:04 pm

Love this for a basic starter mix and the additional ideas. Will try the paste once tomatoes season ends. We grow a lot of tomatoes and different varieties of sweet and hot peppers. We always use Sacramento Tomato Juice and supplement the base with vine ripened tomatoes deskinned and seeded. Multiple combinations of sweet and hot peppers depending on the guests. Being from MD our one gotta have addition is Old Bay Seasoning. For special occasions, usually the day after a crabbing trip, we “backfin” multiple blue crabs and serve the bloody marys with a Jumbo lump backfin with the swimmer fin attached, Jumbo Shrimp, Premium Smoked Bacon, and a chunk of fillet either beef or deer. I can’t tell u how many times people initially decline a bloody mary when offered saying they never liked them. I leave it at that,
or maybe a small chuckle.. Once they see one and try it they are life long converts. Oh yeah, I only serve Bloody Mary’s with one Vodka. Absolute Peppar. It truly makes a big difference. Just discovered your blog and love it. Thanks John
Reply
- Cyndy
  September 24, 2021 at 4:27 pm
  Love this story John – and now we are starving for MD crabs! We never understand why people aren’t wild for Bloody’s either and do our best to change their minds! Glad you stopped by!
  Reply
Laura Beaver
August 15, 2021 at 3:33 pm

Delicious 😋
See Also
Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe
Reply
- Cyndy
  August 15, 2021 at 4:59 pm
  Thanks Laura ~ so glad you enjoyed it!
  Reply
Jan
August 05, 2021 at 12:13 pm
Can this recipe be pressure canned?
Reply
- Cyndy
  August 05, 2021 at 7:34 pm
  Hi Jan – I haven’t tried it so can’t say for sure but it definitely seems like it would work. Let us know if you try it!
  Reply
Kelly
December 30, 2020 at 3:22 pm

Just made for NYD brunch. Added a hefty pinch of sugar to cut the bite of the tomato paste. Really, really yummy on its own. Haven’t tried it with vodka yet. I think it will be good wake up juice tho!
Reply
- Jayne
  December 30, 2020 at 3:31 pm
  Awesome – I drink it in the morning w/o vodka too!
  Reply
Sara Rockwell
November 22, 2020 at 5:08 pm

Delicious! First time making homemade Bloody Mary mix… will be saving this recipe and making again!
Reply
- Jayne
  November 22, 2020 at 5:38 pm
  Awesome – glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by!
  Reply
Julia B
August 30, 2020 at 12:57 pm

Made it today. Used Tequila for Bloody Marias. OUTSTANDING!!! I tried it without and with the blender at the end…preferred the whisk to the blender, as I liked the little bits of garlic- unblended. Thank you for this recipe! The tomato paste really makes it richer in flavor!
Reply
- Jayne
  August 30, 2020 at 2:44 pm
  I love that you used a whisk – I admit I also do that from time to time because – GARLIC! I also love the idea of Bloody Maria’s. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Cyndy
  Reply
Kristi Kaiser
May 31, 2020 at 11:02 am

Tried this today, and it was absolutely fantastic! Great recipe – had all the ingredients and the flavor was superb! Thank you!
Reply
- Jayne
  June 01, 2020 at 7:51 am
  Thanks Kristi – we’re glad you loved it!
  Reply
Biana
May 03, 2020 at 9:34 pm

What a great recipe! Making this for next brunch!
Reply
Julie
May 03, 2020 at 7:50 pm
So many reasons to make this co*cktail now! If not only for its appearance!
Reply
Anita
May 03, 2020 at 7:21 pm

Hubby is in love. He’s allergic to alcohol, so he just drink the mix as is and treat it as soup. 🙂
Reply
- Jayne
  May 03, 2020 at 7:22 pm
  I drink it alcohol-free sometimes too!
  Reply
Andrea Metlika
May 03, 2020 at 6:29 pm

Makes me want brunch right now. Love this so much!
Reply
Phenie Ooi
May 03, 2020 at 5:42 pm

I love how simple this is to make. Hubby really liked this. Will bookmark this recipe for sure!
Reply
Katie
January 23, 2020 at 11:28 pm

This will be perfect for parties!
Reply
Irina
January 23, 2020 at 10:37 pm

My mouth is watering looking at your pictures. I love the way you serve Bloody Mary… appetizing and intriguing!
Reply
Whitney
January 23, 2020 at 10:32 pm

I love the spice ingredients you used and can’t wait to try it. I usually fill mine with green olives too! It’s basically brunch in a glass.
Reply
- Jayne
  January 24, 2020 at 8:46 pm
  Whitney, we agree! Bloody Marys are brunch in a glass!
  Reply
Alexandra
January 23, 2020 at 8:54 pm

These are definitely the best looking Bloody Mary drinks I have ever seen! This is a favourite of my Mum’s, so I know where I will be stopping by to try them soon 🙂 Thank you!
Reply
- Jayne
  January 24, 2020 at 8:46 pm
  Thanks Alexandra and we hope you and your Mum love them!
  Reply
Caroline
January 23, 2020 at 7:50 pm

I agree, it really is so easy there’s not a whole lot of sense buying. Looks perfect for weekend brunch!
Reply
- Dorene
  August 13, 2023 at 6:16 am
  How long should I hot water bath them. Most tomato recipes say 45 minutes.
  Reply
  - Jayne
    August 13, 2023 at 10:34 am
    
    Hello Dorene, Great question. Place the jars in the water, cover the pot, turn up the heat and bring to a boil. Let boil for 40 minutes. Turn off heat, let sit for 5 minutes in hot water. Remove from water and wait for the jar to “ping”! Thanks so much. Jayne
    Reply
Deb
January 22, 2020 at 11:32 am

These bloody Mary’s look fantastic, I’m going to make them just so I can eat all the garnishes!!!
Reply
- Jayne
  January 24, 2020 at 8:48 pm
  Thanks Deb – We agree! The garnishes are the best part.
  Reply

Homemade Bloody Mary Mix Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (2024)