Bloody Marys and Mimosas don’t go by the “Is it 5:00 yet” adage. For some reason all of us seem to think it’s perfectly acceptable to be sipping vodka or champagne early in the morning if they are mixed with tomato juice or orange juice………….but we’d never tip back the ole bottle otherwise. Weird, funny and totally cool. Now let’s satisfy that itch and talk about how to set up the ultimate Bloody Mary Bar.
So it’s 10:30 AM on Sunday and we’re having friends over for Brunch. Along with my cinnamon roll bites, healthy sausage egg casserole and piping hot bacon, we’ve set out an eye-popping Bloody Mary Bar with V8 juice and all the fixings. And I mean ALL the fixings. That’s what makes it fun!
This Bloody Mary bar is like a salad or a meal in a glass. Nine garnishes, seasoned salt for the rims and only a few ingredients for the Bloody Mary mix. This build-your-own Bloody Mary Bar is fast to set up because your guests do the mixing and serving. Ah, I love this kind of party.
But that’s also the reason for the Bloody Mary bar. Set out the premixed Bloody Mary’s in pitchers along with horseradish and Worcestershire sauce and all the garnishes. MMM, MMMMMM.
How To Make A Bloody Mary Bar
This recipe is one of my “retro” ones that you’ll be seeing in the next month or two. When I was visiting my Mom, she pulled out a cookbook I made for her in 1993! Yes, many of my readers weren’t even born then.
It’s been so much fun trying the old recipes. I think I’ll post the original versions and then an updated recipe for some. We definitely eat lighter and with fresher food today then we did 25 years ago.
The basics are to have:
Plenty of nice glasses set out along with cocktail napkins and a bowl full of ice.
Or better yet, make two pitchers of Bloody Mary mix. The mild Bloody Mary mix and then a kicked-up version with horseradish and Worcestershire sauce. Make sure to label the pitchers. See below for how to label.
You can either add the vodka to the pitchers or leave a bottle of vodka out for people to add themselves. That way you have virgin Bloodys for those that don’t drink alcohol.
Put salt (or flavored salt) in a shallow bowl or saucer with a bowl of cut limes and lemons. For guests who like a salty rim, they run the citrus around the edge of the glass, then dip the glass in the salt mixture. The salt will adhere to the lime juice.
Lay out as many garnishes as you like. Make sure to have long toothpicks to stab the garnishes with.
Different Bloody Mary Salts
Plain kosher salt.
Equal mix of kosher salt with celery salt (my personal favorite).
Equal mix kosher salt and Old Bay Seasoning, especially if you are using Clamato juice.
Garnishes for A Bloody Mary Bar
Celery – Come on, we all know that celery is the natural stirring stick for a Bloody Mary. It almost seems wrong to not include this one essential for the drink.
Green olives – either the traditional red and green with pimento stuffing. Or try blue cheese stuffed or garlic stuffed olives for a twist.
Pepperoncini – or really any pickled vegetables. I especially like pickled okra, it’s also a great choice as a Southern flair. Regular dill pickle spears, pickled green beans or pickled jalapenos.
Shrimp – yep, I said shrimp. It’s a surprisingly nice addition. A Bloody Mary is already a strange ingredient list, why not add shrimp. Especially if it has a dash of Old Bay seasoning added. Or use a mix or Old Bay and kosher salt for the rim of the glass for a nautical feel.
Bacon – nice and crisp. Or try beef jerky.
Best Bloody Mary Mix
Of course you can buy premixed Bloody Mary Mix, but if you aren’t a millionaire and you want a really fresh flavor then make your own, really, it’s not hard at all.
You can keep the Bloody Mary mix as simple as you want. Two ingredients and you have a very tasty drink. A few more additions will make a more traditional Bloody.
I know what you’re thinking, two ingredients do not a Bloody Mary make. But if you start with spicy V8 juice and your favorite vodka, then it makes sense. V8 already has a robust flavor and texture that it’s not necessary to add all the other ingredients.
If you are a little more adventurous and want all of the lovely flecks you see in a really good Bloody Mary, then you’ll want to add prepared horseradish, freshly ground black pepper, Worcestershire sauce and fresh lime juice.
Use Clamato juice instead of tomato juice and you’ve got a Bloody Caesar.
What’s fun about a Bloody Mary bar is that you can jazz the mix and the garnishes up as much as you like. Better yet, your guests can do it themselves.
What’s The Difference Between a Bloody Mary and A Bloody Caesar?
The difference is just the tomato base that you use.
A regular Bloody Mary uses tomato juice or V8.
A Bloody Caesar (or just a Caesar as they refer to it in Canada) uses the brand Clamato juice which is tomato juice with clam broth.
Otherwise the two drinks are the same.
Want to try something REALLY different? Try a michelada, it’s a popular drink in Mexico. It’s basically a Bloody Caesar but substitute the vodka with beer. Weird, right? I need to try this sometime!
Virgin Mary Mix
Easy, just don’t add the vodka.
When Is The Best Time To Have A Bloody Mary Bar?
Christmas, Easter, tailgate, party, brunch, bridal or baby shower. Really anytime you want a DIY bar and a fun drink.
Setting up a Bloody Mary bar relieves the host of constantly making drinks for their guests. Plus guests seem to like the activity of making their own drinks.
Bloody Mary Bar with Garnishes
Bloody Marys make it acceptable to drink before noon. Why? I don't know, but they have the nutrition of a meal and the kick of a cocktail.
Ingredients
Pitcher
- 8 cups V8 or regular tomato juice
- 3 cups vodka
- 3 Tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 6 medium limes, juiced
- 2 Tablespoons hot sauce like Frank's
- 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt, optional
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt for glass rims
Individual Bloody Mary
- 4 ounces V8 or regular tomato juice
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 1 medium lime, juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce we used Frank's, add to taste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch celery salt
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt for glass rims
Garnishes, use any or all of them
- 8 stalks celery with leaves on
- 8 whole pickled okra or pickled green beans, dill pickles jalapenos or pepperoncini
- 16 whole green olives stuffed with pimento, blue cheese or garlic
- 8 medium cooked shrimp with Old Bay
- 8 slices crisp, cooked bacon
Salt For Rims of Glasses
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 3 medium limes cut in wedges
Instructions
For Pitcher and Bloody Mary Bar
-
Set out chilled glasses with a bowl full of ice. Cocktail napkins are always an added benefit.
-
Make two or three pitchers. One virgin Mary (without vokda), one spicy and one mild pitcher. Mix all ingredients together and stir well. Leave a long stirrer in the pitcher so that your guests can mix the pitcher each time they pour a drink.
-
Set out all the garnishes in various serving dishes along with tall toothpicks to hold them.
-
Put salt (or flavored salt) in a shallow bowl or saucer with a bowl of cut limes and lemons. For
guests who like a salty rim, they run the citrus around the edge of the glass, then dip the glass in the salt mixture. The salt will adhere to the lime juice
For Individual Bloody Mary
-
Mix all ingredients in a glass then add ice. Top with desired garnishes.
Recipe Notes
Make sure when buying the horseradish that you buy Prepared in the refrigerated section and NOT the Sauce that you find on the shelf with other condiments.
If using the celery salt, don’t add any additional salt to the Bloody Mary other than the rim. There is a difference between celery seed and celery salt.
Want a two ingredient Bloody Mary? Buy spicy V8 and just add vodka.
Want a seashore (or Canadian) variety called a Bloody Caesar? Use Clamato juice instead of plain tomato juice and for the salted rim use an equal mix of kosher salt and Old Bay Seasoning.
See post for various seasoned salt to use for the glass rims and other variation and ideas for Bloody Marys
Leave a Reply