By Becky Hardin
Published May 9, 2023
The classic Bloody Mary is a brunch-time favorite that happens to be really easy to make. This spicy cocktail is delicious any time of day! We make ours on the stovetop so it’s easily made for a crowd!
What’s in This Bloody Mary Recipe?
Becky got this recipe from her friend Chris at her old job. This was Chris’s grandma’s secret recipe for the perfect Bloody Mary. One sip, and you’ll agree. We are all very, very lucky to be in on the secret!
- Vegetable Juice: We like to use low-sodium vegetable or tomato juice because this recipe already has a lot of added salt. V8 makes a great low sodium 100% vegetable juice, and they also make their own Bloody Mary mix as well!
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a touch of umami flavor and extra saltiness.
- Tabasco Sauce : Adds a spicy kick! Use more or less as desired.
- Celery Salt: Adds a nice vegetal saltiness.
- Seasoning Salt: Adds a nice depth of flavor and more saltiness. We like Lawry’s , but any brand will work. For a low-sodium option, look for a salt-free seasoning blend instead. Look for something that includes sugar, paprika, turmeric, and onion!
- Beef Bouillon Cubes: Add a great depth of flavor without diluting the vegetable juice. You could also use an equivalent amount of bouillon paste. Again, you can opt for a lower-sodium version.
- Vodka: Use a good-quality vodka you know you like the taste of. We love Tito’s because it’s a little bit sweet which balances out all of the savoriness.
- Garnishes: You could garnish these bad boys with so many different things. We chose celery, lemon, olives, and pickles . We think making them look nice is part of the fun of this drink!
Variations on Bloody Marys
A classic Bloody Mary is made with vodka, but you can swap out the alcohol for something that’s more up your alley. We’ve seen a bloody mary with tequila, gin, whiskey, and even rum! You could also try making a bloody mary with beer for a low-ABV drink.
For a clamato Bloody Mary, swap some or all of the V8 for clamato juice. Make it spicier by swapping the V8 for V8 Spicy Hot 100% Vegetable Juice or add more Tabasco. You could also add a few jalapeño slices for garnish or add some cayenne pepper to the salt rim.
How to Store
Store leftover Bloody Marys in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Grab your toothpicks and garnish these Bloody Marys with some delicious one-bite snacks. Here are some fun ideas:
- Bacon wrapped shrimp
- Candied bacon
- Blue cheese stuffed olives
- Mini chicken and waffles
- Herb marinated mozzarella
- Antipasto skewers
Notes from the Test Kitchen
Making Bloody Marys on the stove is the easiest way to make it, and we think it’s the best method around! The flavors really blend well by being cooked together.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 24 ounces V8 Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice or V8 Bloody Mary Mix
- ▢ 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce
- ▢ 2 teaspoons celery salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon seasoning salt We used Lawry’s
- ▢ 3 beef bouillon cubes
- ▢ ½ cup vodka to taste (Titos recommended)
Video
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients except for the vodka together in a pot and heat on the stovetop over medium-low heat 24 ounces V8 Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice, 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce, 2 teaspoons celery salt, ½ teaspoon seasoning salt, 3 beef bouillon cubes
- Cook until the bouillon cubes have fully dissolved, stirring occasionally
- Set aside to cool.
- Add a shot of vodka to each glass, and pour V8 mixture over the vodka. ½ cup vodka
- Stir. Garnish as desired.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make a Bloody Mary Step by Step
Cook the Juice: Mix 24 ounces of V8 Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice, 4 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons of Tabasco sauce, 2 teaspoons of celery salt, ½ teaspoon of seasoning salt, and 3 beef bouillon cubes together in a pot and heat on the stovetop over medium-low heat Cook until the bouillon cubes have fully dissolved, stirring occasionally Set aside to cool.
Pour the Drinks: Add a shot of vodka to each glass, and pour the V8 mixture over the vodka. Stir the drinks well, then garnish as desired.
Bloody Mary, also known as Queen Mary I (or Mary Tudor), was the first ever queen to rule over England in her own right. She earned the nickname “Bloody Mary” because of how many Protestant heretics she burned at the stake during her reign. This drink is said to be named for her mostly due to its bright red color.
The flavor might catch you off guard if you don’t know what to expect. It’s spicy, salty, and overall a savory flavor. It reminds us of vegetable soup and salsa, all rolled into one. For some, it’s an acquired taste.
Yes and no. This cocktail is high in potassium, vitamins A and C, and calcium; however, it is also notoriously high in sodium. Enjoy in moderation.
To make this recipe non-alcoholic, simply omit the vodka. You could add a bit more V8 to make up for the loss of volume if desired.
More Savory Cocktail Recipes We Love
- Roasted Tomato Margarita
- Dirty Redbird Martini
- Spicy Cucumber Margarita
- Spicy Margarita
- See all of our Cocktail Recipes !
Bloody Mary Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 ounces V8 Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice or V8 Bloody Mary Mix
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce
- 2 teaspoons celery salt
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt We used Lawry’s
- 3 beef bouillon cubes
- ½ cup vodka to taste (Titos recommended)
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients except for the vodka together in a pot and heat on the stovetop over medium-low heat 24 ounces V8 Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice, 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce, 2 teaspoons celery salt, ½ teaspoon seasoning salt, 3 beef bouillon cubes
- Cook until the bouillon cubes have fully dissolved, stirring occasionally
- Set aside to cool.
- Add a shot of vodka to each glass, and pour V8 mixture over the vodka. ½ cup vodka
- Stir. Garnish as desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
