Bloody Maria
Bloody Maria is a Mexican-inspired twist on a classic Bloody Mary. Swapping vodka for tequila, a hint of habanero, tomato, and pickle juices, and a bit of citrus along with a few other sensational seasonings makes this one deliciously spicy brunch cocktail!
The real history of when the Bloody Maria cocktail was born is relatively unknown, but as soon as the classic Bloody Mary was introduced to a shot of tequila, a sassy new star was born. This intensely flavorful, savory, and spicy drink is meant to set your soul on fire. You can bet, it will do just that!
About this Recipe
A Bloody Maria is the kind of drink you can’t wait to order at a restaurant when you’re out for a brunch. It’s such a showstopper. It makes you feel like you’re ordering something that’s out of reach on any normal day. So, naturally, recreating it at home any time you want is a dream come true!
There are versions out there that only swap the vodka for tequila and call it a day, but this recipe comes with all the bells and whistles like hot honey, and hot sauce plus some citrus from the lime juice, and salty brine from the pickle juice.
It’s got so much going on it’s almost like a meal!
Try one with breakfast nachos for a breakfast fiesta!
It’s such a fun drink to serve a crowd, especially in summer. Sipping on a cocktail so refreshing and spicy is something that should be enjoyed in good company while sitting on a patio somewhere, enjoying a platter of Mexican tacos and street corn, or maybe a greasy cheeseburger! The garnishes are of course optional, but the bacon, dill pickle, habanero and serrano peppers, lemon slices and celery stalk are arguably what makes enjoying a bloody Maria an entire experience!
If you love spice, try pairing it with hot chicken pancakes or bacon, jalapeño, cheddar sheet pan pancakes.
FAQs
It really comes down to whether it contains vodka or tequila. Tequila is a Mexican distilled drink that comes from the agave plant. It has a stronger taste than the milder tasting vodka, therefore it changes the flavor profile of the drink enough to need its own name. The remaining ingredients are up for interpretation, based on preferences, but generally speaking a Bloody Maria tends to be spicier and include a higher number of spicy ingredients that give it a kick!
What you need
- Tequila – Choose a white tequila, also known as Blanco or silver.
- Juices: 100% tomato juice, dill pickle juice, lime juice, and lemon juice.
- Habanero pepper – Make sure to slice it very thin and remove the seeds.
- Worcestershire sauce – A classic ingredient in a traditional Bloody Mary that also adds depth of flavor in a Bloody Maria.
- Hot honey – A deliciously sweet honey that has been infused with spice and heat. If you can’t find it or don’t want to buy it just for this, use regular honey. If you find it’s not spicy enough, add more hot sauce.
- Hot sauce – Tabasco sauce is a popular choice, but other brands work well too.
- Celery salt – Gets mixed in with the drink giving it a salty kick.
- Ground black pepper – Balances the salt as pepper does.
- Garnishes: Bacon, dill pickle, habanero & serrano peppers, lemon slices, celery stalk
How to make a bloody maria with tequila
In a cocktail mixing pitcher or large glass, combine all of the ingredients together. Give it a good stir.
PS: Want a pretty cocktail mixing pitcher like this one? You can find it on Amazon.
You can do two things at this point, you can pour it over ice or you can chill it in the refrigerator for several hours to let the flavor infuse even more and make it HOTTER!
Once poured over ice, garnish with bacon, dill pickles, peppers, lemon slices on wooden skewers and a celery stalk.
How to make this brunch cocktail your own
- It’s an easy switch back to a Bloody Mary by using vodka instead of tequila.
- You could choose to use mezcal instead of tequila. Both are very similar, coming from the agave plant, but differ in how they are processed. Mezcal will give your drink a more smoky flavor.
- Make it skinny by opting to use just a few of the ingredients (tomato juice, citrus juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and tequila). Have a simple garnish or none at all.
- If you don’t have celery salt, sea salt can be used instead in an equal quantity.
- Jalapeño or other hot peppers may be added or used instead of the habanero.
- Lemons and limes are both common in Bloody Mary/Bloody Maria recipes. If you prefer, use all lime juice or all lemon juice.
- The hot honey can be omitted if you’re not into the sweet heat. Or, you could use regular honey if that’s what you have available.
- Have fun with the garnishes, you don’t need to stop with what’s listed here – add mini grilled cheese, shrimp, tortilla chips, olives, and more!
- Serving brunch? Set up a Bloody Mary/Maria bar with all the garnishes and different hot sauce options! The best thing about a Bloody Mary is that they are so fun and customizable!
- In a pinch, you could take the shortcut and use a Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix as your base.
Make Ahead Ideas
Bloody Marias can be made the night before which is especially helpful if you’re planning brunch the following day. It does take some prep time. If you make the cocktail in advance, just remember that the longer it sits with the peppers, the hotter it will get!
More brunch cocktails
Get the Recipe: Bloody Maria
Ingredients
Drink:
- 2 ounces plata tequila (also known as blanco or silver)
- 4 ounces 100% tomato juice
- 1 ounce dill pickle juice
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ½ habanero pepper, sliced very thin and seeds removed
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Garnishes:
- cooked bacon
- dill pickle
- habanero peppers
- serrano peppers
- lemon slices
- celery stalk
Instructions
- In a cocktail mixing pitcher or large glass, combine the tequila, tomato juice, pickle juice, lime juice, lemon juice, pepper slices, Worcestershire sauce, hot honey, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper, and stir for 15 seconds.
- You can do two things at this point, you can pour it over ice or you can chill it in the refrigerator for several hours to let the flavor infuse even more and make it HOTTER!
- Once poured over ice, garnish with bacon, dill pickles, peppers, lemon slices on wooden skewers, and a celery stalk.
Notes
- Nutrition information does not include garnishes.
- Photos depict a double batch of recipe (two servings).
- Lemons and limes are both common in Bloody Maria recipes. Use all lime juice, all lemon juice, or a combination.
- This cocktail can be made the night before if you’re planning brunch the following day. Note that the longer it sits with the peppers in it, the hotter it will get. You can make a large batch in a pitcher for a large group. More sliced pepper can be added if you really want it hot.
- The hot honey can be omitted or regular honey can be substituted. You can add up to 2 or 3 teaspoons per drink as desired, but I recommend starting with 1.
- Have fun with the garnishes! You don’t need to stop with what’s listed here – add mini grilled cheese, tortilla chips, olives, and more!
- If you don’t have celery salt, sea salt can be used instead in an equal quantity.
- Jalapeño or other hot peppers may be added or used instead of the habanero.
- We recommend using a hot sauce that you know you already like. It does change the flavor/heat of the drink. Tabasco is the most common addition to a Bloody Mary, but there are SO many options out there.
- Serving brunch? Set up a Bloody Mary/Maria bar with all the garnishes and different hot sauce options!
- More or less tomato juice can be added to taste.