The Ultimate Loaded Bloody Mary - Build Your Own Brunch co*cktail! (2024)

The Queen of Brunch co*cktails! This recipe for the Ultimate Loaded Bloody Mary is a choose-your-own-adventure beginning with spicy homemade Bloody Mary mix and vodka, then loaded with trimmings and a sticky BBQ pork rib! It’s the perfect interactive co*cktail for your next party or gathering, and just as good enjoyed over brunch!

Table of Contents

• The Only Bloody Mary Recipe You’ll Ever Need
• What is a Bloody Mary?
• Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make a Bloody Mary
• Tips for Success
• Creating a Bloody Mary Bar
• Can I Make this in Advance?
• More co*cktail Recipes to Try
• Get the Recipe

The Only Bloody Mary Recipe You’ll Ever Need

When it comes to the Court of co*cktails, there is only one true Queen: The Loaded Bloody Mary! This is my favorite homemade version of the classic “breakfast in a glass” that sees flavorful tomato juice spiced and mixed with vodka, then garnished with just about any ingredient under the sun.

This recipe in particular is the only one you’ll ever need: fresh and savory tomato co*cktail charged with a good dose of hot sauce and vodka, seasoned with horseradish and cajun spice, and loaded up with trimmings of celery, olives, pickled okra and the crown jewel: a sticky pork rib!

If you haven’t yet experienced a fully loaded Bloody Mary, you’ll soon see why this is a favorite brunch co*cktail for so many. Get ready to dive into a glass – or pitcher – of these at your next weekend brunch or get-together! They make an excellent “build-your-own” co*cktail for parties, as they’re endlessly customizable for a refreshing drink and snack all in one glass.

What is a Bloody Mary?

A classic Bloody Mary recipe starts with a combination of tomato juice or co*cktail, Worcestershire sauce, vodka, and spices. From there the options for both ingredients and garnishing are endless!

The Bloody Mary is famous for being both a beloved breakfast/brunch co*cktail and “meal in a glass”, thanks to its vitamin-rich tomato base and all the fresh fixings that can be added: celery, olives, and a lemon wedge are most common, but the list goes on forever!

Bloody Mary Bars have grown in popularity also, where a glass of prepared tomato mix can be topped from a buffet stocked with garnishes and trimmings. See my suggestions for setting up your own self-serve co*cktail spread later on in this post!

Recipe Ingredients

Depending on who you ask, the Bloody Mary is a textbook case of a combination that sounds a little crazy, but somehow just works. Tomato juice in an alcoholic co*cktail? With hot sauce? The audacity!

And yet, the perfect Bloody Mary mix has three qualities: a little salt, a little sweet, and a little or a lot of heat (by preference, of course!). Everyone has their own ratios and preferences as to what makes the perfect mix, but one thing we can all agree on is that fresh is best!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for a dynamite Bloody Mary mix made from scratch:

• Tomato Juice: I use regular tomato juice in my recipe and spice it to my liking. Alternatively, you can use a tomato co*cktail like V8 or Clamato for something with a bit of extra flavor.
• Horseradish: This recipe uses creamy horseradish. Regular prepared horseradish also works, creating a sort of “pulp” in the tomato juice that adds a layer of texture.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: A splash of acidity that enhances the flavors.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A key ingredient for its unbeatable umami taste. Almost more important than the vodka (I said what I said!)
• Hot Sauce: A common choice is Tabasco or a cayenne hot sauce, however your sauce’s flavor and heat level are subject to personal taste! A chili sauce like Sriracha gives a sweeter heat for a nice contrast in flavor.
• Vodka: You don’t have to raid the top shelf liquor for a Bloody Mary; classic vodkas like Smirnoff, Ketel One, or Titos are all suitable. You can also get creative with other types of alcohol that will bring different flavor profiles to your mix. See my Tips for Success section for suggestions!
• Cajun Seasoning: An ode to my Southern roots. I add a dash to season the mix and also use it to rim the glasses.
• Salt & Pepper: For extra seasoning.
• Optional: One garlic clove, finely minced for even more flavor!

For the Garnish

• Olives
• Pickled Okra
• Celery
• Sticky Pork Rib (I really can’t resist a Southern twist!)

How to Make a Bloody Mary

First, I always recommend starting with a plain tomato juice and seasoning it yourself to your personal tastes. Spicy or mild, it’s up to you! The key to a good Bloody Mary mix though is the fresher, the better.

Make the Bloody Mary Mix: Since this recipe will serve a group, begin by filling a large pitcher with your tomato juice or tomato co*cktail of choice. Next, get mixing! I season this homemade Bloody Mary mix with a combination of fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce, garlic, cajun seasoning, black pepper and salt. Pop the mix in the refrigerator for about an hour, until chilled.

Rim the Glasses: Dip the rim of a glass in a dish of water or lemon juice and then coat the rim with Cajun seasoning.

Prepare your co*cktail: Fill a glass with ice and add a couple ounces of the vodka of your choosing. Next, fill the remainder of the glass with the prepared Bloody Mary mix.

Garnish: Fix up your co*cktail with olives, pickled okra, a crispy celery stalk and a sweet pork rib, or your favorite trimmings. Add an extra kick of hot sauce if desired!

Tips for Success

Add Pickle Juice to the Bloody Mary Mix. Trust me, a splash of the juice or brine from the pickled garnish of choice – pickles, jalapenos, co*cktail onions, olives, etc. – will add just one more boost of flavor to your tomato co*cktail!

Don’t Be Modest With Worcestershire Sauce. Even if you think you may have added too much, you likely haven’t. Give an extra dash anyway.

Try Different Alcohol Variations. Technically vodka is what makes a classic Bloody Mary, but don’t let technicalities hold you back! Mix yours with any of the following for something a little different:

• Tequila for a South-of-the-border twist
• Gin for an aromatic option
• Bourbon for a hint of sweetness

Creating a Bloody Mary Bar

Move over, punch bowl – if you are having a party or serving a lot of people, a Bloody Mary Bar is the latest trend that I’m totally on board for. The concept of a DIY co*cktail and toppings arrangement gives everyone the chance to make their own personal Ultimate Loaded Bloody Mary, complete with all the fixings!

To set up your own Bloody Mary Bar, prepare the homemade Bloody Mary mix ahead and refrigerate it until needed. Set out the glasses, ice, vodka and, once ready, the chilled mix.

Lastly, stock your bar with an assortment of toppings and garnishes that guests can use to “load” their co*cktails. I like to have appetizer skewers available that can be loaded with more than one ingredient! Below are some of my favorite garnishes.

Garnish Ideas

• Celery Stalks
• Olives (Plain or Pimento/Blue Cheese Stuffed)
• Spicy Pickled Green Beans
• Pickles (Dill, Spicy, or Butter Pickles)
• Carrots, Radishes, Snap Peas
• Pickled Okra, Pickled Asparagus, Pickled Jalapeños
• co*cktail Onions
• Lemon or Lime Wedges
• Battered Onion Rings
• co*cktail Shrimp
• Cheese Cubes
• Pork Ribs
• Crispy Bacon Strips

Can I Make this in Advance?

Prepare your seasoned mix in advance and store it airtight for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. You can even freeze Bloody Mary mix for a few months! Simply thaw it in the fridge and then top it up with ice and vodka.

Be sure to give the mix a shake before serving, to blend in all the seasoning that may have settled at the bottom.

More co*cktail Recipes to Try

Looking for more easy co*cktails? Try these deliciously boozy recipes:

• Spicy Bacon Bloody Mary
• The Best Mojito Recipe
• Peach Bellini
• Sparkling Pineapple Punch
• Blackberry Smash co*cktail
• Strawberry Champagne Floats

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