I love a good Bloody Mary. And don’t get me wrong… there are plenty of good Bloody Mary mixes out there, but are they the best Bloody Mary mix for you? Some are spicy, some are citrusy. Some are pretty plain. And although you could doctor up a store bought Bloody Mary mix, why not just start from scratch and make your own version? Feel free to tweak this recipe to make your own personal Best Bloody Mary Mix. Just for you!
I used to be a bartender. I loved mixing drinks. I loved interacting with regular customers. I loved telling jokes and making people laugh at the end of their hard day’s work. And I loved making Bloody Mary Mix. There are a surprising number of ingredients in this vodka based cocktail, starting with tomato juice, which I used to hate. But it grew on me with every batch of Bloody Mary Mix I made and tasted. Pretty soon, the other bartenders wouldn’t even make this stuff, because my mix was always superior.
Bloody Mary Garnishes
Nowadays, the trend seems to be all about outrageous garnishes for the Bloody Mary. Celery stalks and olives are pretty standard fare, but I’ve seen spicy green beans, pickles, limes, cocktail shrimp and even fried chicken to accentuate this brunch cocktail favorite. Just use what you have handy. Pepperoncinis and blue cheese stuffed olives are great as well. And don’t forget to rub a cut lemon on the rim of the glass so the seasoned salt will stick. 
Make Ahead Bloody Mary Mix
I like to make a batch of this Bloody Mary Mix to take on vacation. Something about a cocktail at nine in the morning just reminds you that you are taking time out to relax. Sip it. Savor it. Enjoy it poolside. Like it spicier? Add some Tabasco, white pepper, or just add more Sriracha. The thing that makes this the Best Bloody Mary Mix is that you can make it and customize it to suit your tastes. Just remember, it only gets better after a few days in the fridge, so try not to drink it all on the first day of your vacation! It’ll keep in the fridge for about 3 days.
Vodka to Bloody Mary Mix Ratio
How much vodka you want to put in your Bloody Mary ultimately comes down to you and what other things you’ve got to accomplish during the day. My general rule is 2 ounces of vodka per 8 ounces of mix – so 1:4. But feel free to add more or less mix to get your desired ratio.
Ingredients
- 64 oz . bottle tomato juice
- 4 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon ground celery seed
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt , plus extra for the rim
- 1/2 tablespoon beef base mixed in 1/4 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Sriracha
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a pitcher. Serve over ice with 2 oz. of vodka per person and olives, celery, or pickles for garnish.
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
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