Making your own Bloody Mary bar is a total breeze! No need to stress about fancy ingredients. Hit up your local store and grab some pre-made goodies like shrimp, bacon, and olives – instant transformation from blah to bam! Don’t be shy about doubling the recipe, these DIY Bloody Mary bars are brunch champions!
The Nitty Gritty of a Bloody Mary
There are a million Bloody Mary recipes out there, but the basics are pretty simple:
- Tomato juice (canned is totally fine!)
- Vodka (unless you’re feeling a tequila sunrise with a Bloody Maria…)
- A little kick of spice (horseradish and hot sauce, hello!)
- A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice for some zing
- Worcestershire sauce for that extra oomph
- And of course, the best part – all the yummy garnishes! (More on that later…)
Why a Bloody Mary Bar is the Brunch MVP
Let’s be real, mixing up a pitcher of Bloody Marys takes barely any effort. Plus, everything you need is practically ready-made – mixers, garnishes, the whole shebang. Just grab some fresh lemon or lime juice for that extra bit of brightness.
The beauty of a Bloody Mary bar is that everyone can customize their drink to their heart’s content. Pile on the toppings you love! Me? I’m a sucker for a Bloody Mary loaded with Old Bay shrimp and bacon – pure brunch perfection.
Feeling Fancy? Take it Up a Notch!
Want to impress your guests? Rim the glasses with a mixture of salt and finely chopped celery leaves. It adds a delightful flavor boost that complements the tangy Bloody Mary mix. Spice lovers can take it a step further with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika on the rim.
Fresh or Canned Tomato Juice?
Listen, canned tomato juice is your friend. Don’t waste your precious Sunday morning juicing tomatoes. You can also try Clamato juice, which is a mix of tomato and clam juice. It’s got a bit of a salty kick with a touch of sweetness that some folks love.
Bloody Mary Garnish Extravaganza!
Go wild with the garnishes! Here are some ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless:
- Classic celery (both the stalks and leaves!)
- Crispy bacon
- Tiny pickles (cornichons)
- Succulent shrimp
- Fresh dill or your favorite herbs
- Pimento or blue cheese stuffed olives
- Refreshing lemon wedges
- Diced cheese for an extra bite
- Pickle spears for the pickle lovers
Want some veggies in your Bloody Mary? Some people love green beans, asparagus, carrots, or even those tiny cocktail onions. Not my thing, but hey, you do you!
So there you have it! With a little store-bought help and some creative garnishes, you can create an amazing Bloody Mary bar that will be the star of your next brunch. Cheers!
PrintBloody Mary Bar Recipe
Making your own Bloody Mary bar is a total breeze! No need to stress about fancy ingredients. Hit up your local store and grab some pre-made goodies like shrimp, bacon, and olives – instant transformation from blah to bam! Don’t be shy about doubling the recipe, these DIY Bloody Mary bars are brunch champions!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the rim:
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped celery leaves
- Juice from 1 lemon
For the Bloody Mary:
- 8 oz vodka
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz Dijon mustard
- 1 oz prepared grated horseradish (or slightly less fresh grated)
- 10 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 10 dashes Tabasco sauce
12 oz tomato juice
Optional garnishes:
celery, cornichons, green olives with pimento, lemon wedge, roasted shrimp, bacon, fresh dill
Instructions
- Make the celery salt rim: Mix salt and chopped celery leaves. Dip glass rims in lemon juice, then coat with the celery salt mixture.
- Combine all Bloody Mary ingredients (except garnishes) in a pitcher and stir well.
- Fill glasses with ice, pour in the Bloody Mary mix, and garnish as desired. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 154kcal
- Sugar: 3.7g
- Sodium: 342mg
- Fat: 0.4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 4.6g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Protein: 1.1g
Love it!