No doubt about it, this is the best Bloody Mary cocktail recipe, and so easy to make at home. Normally I wait and indulge in a Bloody Mary or two while on vacation, but that’s not looking so good this summer. With no vacation plans in the immediate future, I’m putting my bartending skills to work.
This post is intended for viewers 21 and older. For more cocktail recipes see Sazarac Cocktail Recipe and the Classic Whiskey Sour Cocktail Recipe.
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A Blood Mary is one of those cocktails that you can sip and enjoy any time of day. So if you’re doing the staycation thing this summer, do it up right. Find a cool spot to relax in the shade, put your feet up and sip away.
I’ll be sipping a Bloody Mary by the pool this weekend imagining that I’m in Key West. Where will your imagination take you?
Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground horseradish
- 1 lemon or lime wedge
- 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- additional lemon or lime wedge to rim glass
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/2 teaspoon course black pepper
- Moisten the rim of the glass with a lemon or lime wedge, then dip in celery salt and pepper.
- Combine vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce in a shaker with ice.
- Strain into a tall glass with fresh ice.
- Garnish as desired
Bloody Mary Garnish Ideas
- celery stick
- pickled green beans
- cocktail olives
- cherry tomato
- green onion
Bloody Mary Recipe Tips:
For garnish, add an olive, a cherry tomato, pickled green beans, and a green onion on a short skewer. Of course the classic celery stick is always a good idea.
If you want to skip the spiced glass rim step, add a pinch of celery salt and pepper in the cocktail shaker.
Worrying about too much salt? There’s nothing wrong with using low sodium tomato juice. I love it!
For pickled green bean garnish, see my post Sweet Spicy Refrigerator Pickled Green Beans. Make a small batch (one jar), to keep on hand in the fridge.
The credit and inspiration for this recipe comes from my brother-in-law. His version of a Bloody Mary is a Bloody Caesar. What’s a Bloody Caesar? I’m glad you asked. A Bloody Caesar calls for tomato-clam juice, instead of the classic tomato juice found in a Bloody Mary.
If you’re feeling adventurous, just switch the tomato juice for tomato-clam juice and continue with the recipe. Need to update your cocktail supplies? Here are a few shopping suggestions.
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with recipe ideas that you can use right now!
Remember to drink responsibly.
Cheers!
©2020 Best Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe post first appeared on Thistle Key Lane™.

Prep Time | 5 minutes |
Servings |
cocktail
|
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground horseradish
- 1 lemon or lime wedge
- 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- additional lemon or lime wedge to rim glass
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/2 teaspoon course black pepper
- celery stick
- pickled green beans
- cocktail olives
- cherry tomato
- green onion
Ingredients
Bloody Mary Garnish Ideas:
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- Moisten the rim of the glass with a lemon or lime wedge, then dip in celery salt and pepper.
- Combine vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce in a shaker with ice.
- Strain into a tall glass with fresh ice.
- Garnish as desired.
Bloody Mary Recipe Notes:
For garnish, add an olive, a cherry tomato, pickled green beans, and a green onion on a short skewer. Of course the classic celery stick is always a good idea.
If you want to skip the spiced glass rim step, add a pinch of celery salt and pepper in the cocktail shaker before mixing.
Enjoy!
Mix up a pitcher and I will be right over to enjoy it with you!
I like the way you think Paula! Come on over friend. Hugs!
Serving this tomorrow with brunch minus the vodka and I know it will still be yummy. A summer drink for sure!
Absolutely! Enjoy that spicy taste without the buzz!
I love the celery salt and cracked pepper rim, Michelle! And pickled green beans sounds like an AMAZING addition! I don’t have a pool, but I’ll be staycationing on my treehouse level deck this summer and this sounds like a perfect addition!
Your deck sounds wonderful especially for bird watching! Enjoy the recipe Janet!
Sounds so yummy! Look for your feature on Wednesday’s Charming Homes & gardens Link Party.
Rachel
Wow Rachel, thank you so much! Looking forward to Wednesday!
I seriously needed this recipe! SO excited to make these this coming weekend! Thank you for sharing with Charming Homes and Gardens! And I am looking forward to your feature on Wednesday!
Thanks Kim so excited to be featured!
Yum – that sounds great! I don’t make many cocktails, so I can use all the inspiration I can get. I love how you put all the garnishes on a toothpick – that’s brilliant! Hope you have a great 4th of July! 💗
Thanks Barbara! Making cocktails, takes your staycation to a whole new level. LOL!