The Best Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe
Not every cocktail needs a paper umbrella and a pineapple wedge. Some need a kick in the pants, a salty rim, and a stick of celery doing its best impression of a sword. Enter: the Bloody Mary.
Loved by brunch-goers, late risers, and people who may or may not have overdone it the night before, the Bloody Mary is the drink that says, “I’ve made some choices, but I’m here now.” With roots tracing back to the 1920s (maybe Paris, maybe New York, like all good stories, the details are blurry), it’s grown into one of the world’s most iconic vodka cocktails. Savoury, spicy, and unapologetically bold, it’s more than a drink, it’s a cure, a statement, and a snack in a glass.
So, What’s in a Bloody Mary?
At its core, the Bloody Mary is a simple but punchy combo: vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. And our Aotearoa Pure Vodka? That’s the smooth, clean foundation that holds the whole spicy tower upright.
Each ingredient plays a role:
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Tomato juice gives it that bold, savoury base.
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Lemon juice brightens things up.
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Hot sauce and Worcestershire bring the heat and umami.
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A good grind of pepper and a pinch of salt balance it out.
Want to level up? Try adding a splash of pickle brine or horseradish for extra zing. Then top it off with garnishes like celery, olives, or even bacon (yes, bacon). It’s a cocktail and a meal deal in one.
How to Make a Bloody Mary Cocktail
Start with a tall glass filled with ice. Pour in your Aotearoa Pure Vodka, then add tomato juice, lemon juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and seasonings. Stir well, none of that shaking business here. Garnish to your heart’s desire and sip slowly. This drink isn’t about rushing.
Popular Bloody Mary Variations and Twists
Feeling fancy? The Bloody Mary is built for experimentation.
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Add pickle juice or olive brine for a salty tang.
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Rim the glass with chilli salt or celery salt for an extra punch.
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Switch out the spirit to create something new:
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Try it with Good George Gin for a Red Snapper.
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Swap in tequila for a Bloody Maria.
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Or go Canadian with clam juice in a Bloody Caesar (it’s weird, but it works).
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It’s a drink that wears many hats, and they all come with attitude.
Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
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45ml Aotearoa Pure Vodka
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90ml tomato juice
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10ml lemon juice
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3 dashes hot sauce
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3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
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Pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper
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Ice
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Garnishes: celery stick, lemon wedge, olives, pickles, or bacon (optional but encouraged)
Instructions
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Fill a tall glass (preferably a highball or pint glass) with ice.
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Add vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
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Stir well with a bar spoon or long stirrer.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Garnish like a show-off with celery, olives, pickles, or bacon.
Serving Suggestions
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Serve in a highball or pint glass for the proper brunch aesthetic
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Rim the glass with celery salt or chilli salt for an extra kick
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Use a skewer to stack garnishes like olives, gherkins, cherry tomatoes, or grilled prawns
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Best served mid-morning, at boozy brunches, or whenever you’re pretending tomato juice is health food
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Pair it with eggs benny or a classic Kiwi fry-up
Give The Bloody Mary Cocktail a Go
Whether you’re brunching hard or chasing off last night’s regrets, the Bloody Mary’s got your back. Make it with our Aotearoa Pure Vodka for the cleanest, smoothest base that plays nice with spice.
Go on, get your tomato fix, Good George vodka-style!
