Create the ultimate vodka cocktail for any size crowd with this Pitcher Bloody Marys recipe! Customize the homemade mix to be as spicy or mild as you like, then set up a DIY Bloody Mary bar with an array of garnishes, and let everyone craft their perfect drink!
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What’s better than a spicy vodka cocktail for one? An entire pitcher of Bloody Marys to share! Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch or gearing up for game day, this crowd-pleasing cocktail is the perfect way to kick off the festivities.
When it comes to crafting the perfect Bloody Mary from scratch, it’s all about the mix. Using a homemade blend (like this one) allows you to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. Not a fan of spice? Leave out the hot sauce. Prefer Clamato instead of tomato juice? Use it, and you’ll have yourself a Bloody Caesar. The point is, every ingredient plays a key role, but you can tweak the amounts to create the tomato cocktail of your dreams.
- Tomato juice: You can use either pure tomato juice or V8 Vegetable Juice for this recipe. I’ve tried both and found that V8 adds extra depth of flavor with its rich, thick consistency, while plain ol’ tomato juice allows for more flexibility in layering and building flavors.
- Lemon juice: Fresh is best! Squeeze those lemons for a bright, zesty kick that balances out the savory flavors.
- Hot sauce
- Worcestershire sauce: It adds a smoky, savory depth that’s essential for this brunch cocktail.
- Prepared horseradish: For that signature spicy bite. Go with your favorite “cream style” or prepared horseradish. If you like it extra spicy, opt for the hot variety.
- Sugar: Just a touch to balance the acidity. It’s my secret ingredient that ties everything together and makes this the best Bloody Mary mix!
- Salt & pepper
- Vodka: Choose a good-quality vodka that you enjoy sipping, as it makes all the difference in this cocktail.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Mix the base. In a large pitcher, combine all of the ingredients except for the vodka.
- Chill. Refrigerate the pitcher for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Add the vodka. When ready to serve, stir in the vodka and mix well.
- Serve and garnish. Pour into glasses filled with ice and add your favorite garnishes (see below for ideas!).
- To make a virgin Bloody Mary, simply skip the vodka and pour the spicy tomato juice mix over ice. It’s just as delicious and perfect for those who prefer a non-alcoholic version.
- For a briny twist, make a Dirty Bloody Mary by adding a splash of olive juice or pickle juice.
- My go-to seasoning for rimming the glass is Tajín.
- Customize the spice level to your preferred level of heat. Start with a little hot sauce and horseradish, and add more to taste. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in!
- Swap the vodka for your favorite tequila and make a Bloody Maria!
Create the Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar!
Hosting a brunch or tailgate party? Now that you’ve crafted the perfect vodka cocktail it’s time to elevate your gathering with a Bloody Mary bar! It’s a fun, interactive way for guests to customize their drinks. Plus, it takes the pressure off you as the host.
Start with a big batch of this homemade Bloody Mary mix, which can be scaled up or down to serve any size crowd. I also like to offer a virgin cocktail, so everyone can enjoy. Next, I like to have a variety of vodkas, from classic to pepper-infused, and an array of hot sauces from mild to wild–think Tabasco, Sriracha and Cholula.
Now for my favorite part–the garnishes! See below for a variety of classic and creative garnish ideas. Lastly, create a station with different rim seasoning options. My favorite is Tajín, but for a savory, smoky, spicy blend, try a mix of celery salt, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Other great choices are Old Bay seasoning or a simple salt and pepper mix.
EXTRA TIPS
- Keep everything cool with plenty of ice. Provide large ice buckets or coolers to keep the vodka and mixers chilled.
- Don’t forget the basics—long stirring spoons (I like these decorative swizzle sticks because they can double as a drink marker), cocktail shakers and plenty of napkins.
Best Bloody Mary Garnishes
When it comes to serving up a batch of my Bloody Marys I’m all about the garnishes. The more creative, the better! Here’s a list of my favorite garnishes that’ll take your brunch cocktail to the next level:
- Celery stalk – A must-have for a classic Bloody Mary.
- Pimento-stuffed olives
- Lemon or lime wedges
- Crispy bacon or candied bacon
- Pickle spears
- Pickled okra, green beans or asparagus
- Pepperoncini
- Cooked shrimp
- Cheese cubes – Cheddar, pepper jack or mini mozzarella balls (my favorite!)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Pepperoni sticks
- Baby corn
- Mini bacon cheeseburger slider – Yes, you read that right! Top your Bloody Mary with a mini slider for an over-the-top garnish that’s as satisfying as it is impressive.
How Far In Advance Can I Make This?
Your homemade Bloody Mary mix will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Store it in an airtight container or a sealed pitcher to maintain its vibrant taste. Remember to add the vodka just before serving to keep the mix at its best. Give it a good stir before serving, as some ingredients might settle at the bottom.
Nothing says brunch like a hearty spread of savory breakfast favorites and a big ol’ pitcher of Bloody Marys. Here are some delicious recipes to complement your cocktail:
Brunch Recipes
- Ham and Cheese Egg Cups and Crispy Hash Browns
- Everything Bagel Breakfast Pizza
- Bacon Pancake Dippers
- The Ultimate Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich
- Bacon, Egg and Cheese Toast Cups
- Baked Eggs in Bread Bowls
And when it comes to party foods, I’ve got you covered there, too.
Tailgate Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 (46-oz.) can V8 vegetable juice
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 dashes hot sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups vodka
- ice, for serving
- celery stalks, for garnish
- pimento-stuffed olives, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine all of the ingredients except for the vodka. Refrigerate until chilled.
- When ready to serve, stir in the vodka and mix well.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with celery stalks and pimento-stuffed olives.
Kelly’s Notes
- To make a virgin Bloody Mary, simply skip the vodka and pour the spicy tomato juice mix over ice. It’s just as delicious and perfect for those who prefer a non-alcoholic version.
- For a briny twist, make a Dirty Bloody Mary by adding a splash of olive juice or pickle juice.
- My go-to seasoning for rimming the glass is Tajín.
- Customize the spice level to your preferred level of heat. Start with a little hot sauce and horseradish, and add more to taste. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in!
- Swap the vodka for your favorite tequila and make a Bloody Maria!
- Make-Ahead: The Bloody Mary mix will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Store it in an airtight container or a sealed pitcher to maintain its vibrant taste. Remember to add the vodka just before serving to keep the mix at its best. Give it a good stir before serving, as some ingredients might settle at the bottom.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
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Recipe adapted from Growlies for Groups.
Very good base recipe. I doubled this recipe for a brunch that was serving Mimosas . I did use spicy V8 and left out the hot sauce. Instead of 4 cups of vodka for the double batch I used 3 cups vodka and 1 cup gin. Mixed all, including alcohol, stored in a well sealed glass gallon jug overnight. All the men gravitated straight to the bloody Marie’s then gradually the women switched. Everyone loved them.
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed the Bloody Marys, Craig!
We made this for our golf cart poker run at our campground. We used smoked tomatoes & bacon for a flavor twist and everyone love it. I am saving this recipe to use again. Thank you for sharing.
YUM! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Used Clamato instead of plain tomato juice. While somewhat thinner than with the traditional tomato, these were delicious!! Easy to make……just a lot of ingredients. Next time I will need two pitchers!!!
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Louise!
Spicy but not too spicy. Just what my Saturday morning needed :)
Not sure if I’m being a complete novice (or English) but what is prepared horseradish? Is it a chopped up horseradish? Pickled? I love bloody mary’s – one of the first alcoholic drinks I tried when I was younger.
Hi Poppy! It’s the horseradish you buy in the jar at the grocery store (chopped up). Enjoy!
A good Bloody Mary in the morning will wake me up with a smile.
I like a little more hot sauce but my wife hates it so we make them
individually.
Never thought of making it with V8 Juice. Sounds like a nice change.
Thanks for the recipes and reason to do a change.
First will try Pasta with Pancetta and Vodka Sauce. Sounds scrumptious.
The earliest memory I have of drinking Bloody Mary, was the first time a friend bought me one….I hated the combination of tomato juice and vodka and instead sat all night licking the salt off the rim of the glass!!
Today, I’m glad I ‘grew up’….a well-made Bloody Mary can cheer up any crowd!