In a world of bloody Marys, be a bloody Maria. That's right, tequila stans, you've got your own brunch drink that you can garnish to the hilt. Try our bloody Maria cocktail as-is or use it as a starting point to make the best darn brunch cocktail in the Western world.
How to Make a Bloody Maria
We like our bloody Maria a little on the spicy side, so if you visit, expect to get a bloody Maria that has a little habanero or Carolina Reaper hot sauce in it. Here, we call for a generic hot sauce — you decide what kind and how much fire you want in your drink.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge, salt, and smoked paprika for rim
- 2 ounces tequila
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce horseradish
- 1-3 dashes hot sauce (or more if you dare)
- 1 dash Worcestershire
- 1 dash celery salt and black pepper
- Ice
- Cucumber spear, chili pepper, and banana pepper for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare the glass, rub the rim of a pint or highball glass with the lemon wedge.
- With the salt and smoked paprika mixed on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim into the mixture to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, tomato juice, lemon juice, lime juice, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and seasoning.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a cucumber spear, chili pepper, and banana pepper.
Related: 9 Spicy Tequila Cocktails That Sizzle With Every Sip
Bloody Maria Variations
The bloody Maria is so easy to customize that deciding which riff you want to try is the most challenging part.
- While the recipe calls for silver tequila, you can freely experiment with gold tequila or mezcal.
- Increase the spiciness of the bloody Maria with extra hot sauce or even a few dashes of tajín or chili powder mixes.
- Make it easy for yourself at brunch by using a store-bought bloody Mary mix.
- Layer in extra spices and flavors by adding a pinch or two of garlic seasoning or salt as well as onion powder.
- Use a cucumber-infused tequila for a crisper flavor, or make it quick and easy by muddling two or three cucumber slices before shaking with the other ingredients.
Garnishes for the Bloody Maria
Make the drink the sole star of the show or allow it to share the stage with a unique garnish.
- Opt for a traditional-looking garnish with an olive, celery stalk, and lemon wedge.
- Add either a pickle chip or spear to the garnish. You can use a dill pickle, garlicky pickle, or even a spicy pickle. Other pickled veggies that make a great option are green beans, carrots, and onions.
- Herbs make a great complement for a Bloody Maria. Use a thyme, basil, cilantro, or rosemary sprig.
- Highlight the tomato notes by adding a slice or wedge of tomato or grape tomato.
- Aim high with an over-the-top garnish touch such as cubed cheeses, shrimp, strips of bacon, or an asparagus stalk.
A Scream of a Drink
Cover your eyes and walk right past the bloody Mary for the ghoulish delight of a bloody Maria. With tequila and the right spices, this cocktail will surely bring you to life before scaring your soul straight out of your body. And whoever said you couldn't enjoy tequila in the morning? No one you'd want to brunch with, anyway.
