It's safe to say there's no other quite like a Bloody Mary. The classic drink is a weekend brunch staple, especially when it comes to all the garnishes! Our recipe calls for skewers of chopped pickles, cherry tomatoes, and green olives, but a more ambitious mixologist can add the likes of , , or even hunks of cheese. If you care more about the flavor of the drink than the accompanying food, add more heat with an extra dash of your favorite hot sauce. For hosting guests, set up a Bloody Mary bar with all the fixings and let everyone customize their own. Baked  and a batch of Bloody Marys is all you need for an impressive brunch.

Why do people drink Bloody Marys?

A Bloody Mary is one of the most classic . Sometimes it's consumed to kickstart a day of fun and other times as a "hair of the dog" beverage to alleviate ill feelings from overconsumption the night before. Either way, it's undeniably delicious, especially for those who prefer a savory drink to a sweet one. Plus, with toppings like bacon and olives, who doesn't like a drink and snack all in one?

What was the original Bloody Mary?

Some say the classic Bloody Mary cocktail was first invented at a bar in Paris in the 1920s when the bartender began experimenting with new cocktails made from vodka.

The drink was originally called by a few different names at first, but it soon became known as the "Bloody Mary" in reference to England's Queen Mary I.

What's the best alcohol for a Bloody Mary?

A classic Bloody Mary is made with vodka, but, for a spin, you can use tequila to make a . You can also leave the alcohol out altogether for a Virgin Mary. 

How do you make a Bloody Mary from scratch?

Beyond the vodka, it's all in the mix: It's best to use a homemade mix (like this one) and doctor it up based on your preferences. Like it a bit spicier? Add more hot sauce. Run out of lemons? Use limes instead.

The steps for making a homemade Bloody Mary are easy: Simply combine all the ingredients in a tall glass, add ice and stir. And don't forget to garnish with toppings!

What is the difference between a Bloody Mary and a dirty Bloody Mary?

Like a , a dirty Bloody Mary typically contains olive or pickle brine, along with the other traditional ingredients. Try splashing some brine in yours for a salty, savory punch! 

Which is healthier: a mimosa or a Bloody Mary?

Both of these drinks have a similar calorie count, but Bloody Marys contain considerably less sugar than . Plus, the tomato juice used in them is packed with vitamins and minerals! There's nothing wrong with sipping a mimosa, especially one made with freshly squeeze juice, but a Bloody Mary may just be the more nutritious choice.

2 1/2 oz.

vodka 

3/4 c.

tomato juice

2 tbsp.

lemon juice

2 tsp.

Worcestershire sauce

2

dashes hot sauce (optional)

1/4 tsp.

prepared horseradish

1

pinch celery salt

1

pinch ground black pepper

Leafy celery stalks, cooked bacon, sliced lemon, chopped pickle spears, cherry tomatoes, and green olives, for garnishing

Step  1 In a tall glass, combine the vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, if using, horseradish, celery salt, and pepper. Stir well. Fill the remainder of the glass with ice and stir once again. Step  2 Garnish with a piece of celery and bacon in the glass and a skewer of chopped pickles, cherry tomatoes, and green olives.

Will Dickey

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