Vegan Bloody Mary Mix
This velvety smooth, sublimely spicy vegan Bloody Mary recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next brunch or tailgating event. If you’re looking for the best vegetarian Bloody Mary mix, look no further. Just make sure you have a few friends over to help drink it. You can also omit the vodka for a non-alcoholic version!
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When it comes to brunch cocktail options, I always LOVE a good Bloody Mary. It’s one of my favorite things!
That spicy, savory flavor mixed with the slight sting from the vodka next to a pile of tofu scramble, roasted potatoes, and vegan scrapple on a breezy summer morning while dining al fresco (preferably next to the water!)?
It’s a whole vacation vibe or just a great way of starting an adventurous day off with friends.
There are plenty of vegan-friendly Bloody Mary mixes out there, but nothing hits quite like a homemade Bloody.
And ordering one at a bar or restaurant is often confusing for all involved because everyone seems to forget there’s often anchovies or even beef stock in Bloody Marys.
So, I tasked T with making a homemade Bloody Mary a while back in anticipation of our first Phillies day game of the season. And he delivered!
This spicy vegan bloody mary hits all the musts for me: packed with rich flavors and spice that somehow hides that vodka sting (be careful; that can be dangerous!), easy to customize, and makes a whole pitcher for serving a crowd.
And today, we’re going to show you how to make it.
Why is this the best Bloody Mary recipe?
- A homemade classic Bloody Mary is easy to make but has a game-changing flavor. If you’ve never enjoyed a Bloody Mary made at home without a store-bought mix, you are missing out! It’s quick to make, but your guests will shower you with compliments!
- It’s SPICY! We’re huge fans of a good spicy Bloody Mary, and this one absolutely delivers! But of course, it’s easy to customize the spice level for your tastes. More on that later.
- Make it the night before, so you can be ready to party in the morning. I also swear by these as a hangover cure – perfect for Thanksgiving!
- This recipe makes enough for a crowd at a tailgate or brunch. You can even turn it in to a Bloody Mary bar with some of the toppings we suggested below!
FAQ
Before we begin, let’s answer a few common questions about Vegan Bloody Marys.
Is Mr & Mrs T Bloody Mary Mix vegan?
Yes, Mr. and Mrs. T’s Bloody Mary Mix is vegan. Their recipe does use worcestershire, but the ingredients in that don’t list anchovies. In fact, the bottle itself says “no anchovies” on it.
Why are Bloody Marys not vegan?
Bloody Marys are not always vegan because they usually call for Worcestershire sauce which usually contains anchovies. That being said, it’s really a case by case basis. Not all worcestershire contains anchovies and not all Bloody Mary mix uses worcestershire.
They can also contain random other ingredients like beef broth or horseradish sauce with eggs which makes ordering a little confusing. This is why it is always important to ask your server or bartender and / or check the ingredients before ordering!
Is Charleston Bloody Mary Mix vegan?
It does not look like Charleston Bloody Mary Mixes are vegan. Some varieties contain beef broth and all have worcestershire. They say they use a “proprietary blend” of ingredients and don’t seem to share the ingredients anywhere to confirm, so I would personally avoid this one.
What can I substitute for tomato juice in a Bloody Mary?
You can substitute any vegetable juice or veggie juice blend to make slight Bloody Mary variations.
Is Zing Zang bloody mary mix vegan?
Yes. Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix contains worcestershire, but it does not list anchovies in the ingredients nor does it list seafood in the allergens section, so I would feel confident drinking this brand!
Ingredients in Homemade Bloody Mary Mix
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make the best spicy Bloody Mary! We’ll go over some ingredient notes in this section, but you can find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Tomato juice – For best results, get plain old tomato juice, not vegetable juice mix.
- Prepared horseradish – Always check the ingredients and make sure you’re getting prepared horseradish and not horseradish sauce. The latter tends to contain egg / mayo.
- Vegan worcestershire sauce – Wizard’s is a great classic brand of gluten-free AND vegan worcestershire sauce. If you can’t find it, a lot of everyday store brands are now making worcestershire without the anchovies now, so take a look at the ingredients on some options at your local grocery store!
- Lemon + lime – You’ll need the fresh lemon and lime, not just the lime juice and lemon juice! Organic is preferred because you’ll be using the rinds in the recipe.
- Celery salt – Adds a very important flavor. Ground celery seeds give this a distinct savory vibe. A splash of olive juice may be a decent substitute.
- Hot sauce – Use whatever brand you like and feel free to adjust for your taste! We like Chalula or Sky Valley hot sauce.
- Spice Cabinet: Black pepper, garlic powder
- Vodka – The amount is really based on your preference here, so we’ve included a range. You can keep it non-alcoholic with a virgin Mary and skip the vodka if that’s more your jam, or serve the virgin Bloody Mary mix alongside some vodka and let your guests customize it to their taste! You can also make what’s called a Bloody Maria ( or Mexican Bloody Mary) by using tequila.
How to Make the Best Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
It could not be easier to make the best spicy bloody mary mix:
- In a large pitcher (I actually purchased a plastic gallon pitcher specifically to serve Bloody Marys), combine all ingredients but the vodka and whisk together.
- Reserve the lemon and lime peels and add them to the pitcher as well.
- Cover and place the mix in the refrigerator for at least two hours (we like to leave it overnight) to allow the flavors to really steep.
- Add the desired amount of vodka just prior to serving. Or skip the vodka for a virgin Bloody Mary recipe!
That’s it! How easy was that?!
How to Serve
There are so many fun ways to serve these Bloody Mary cocktails!
Here are some ideas:
- Keep it basic by serving chilled in an ice-filled glass, maybe with celery stalks or green olives!
- Create a Bloody Mary bar with your favorite toppings! You can even leave the vodka out and let guests decide if they want non-alcoholic or not!
- With vegan bloody mary bacon salt around the rim of the glass. A salted rim is a crowd-favorite at our family parties!
- Garnished with a slice of rice paper bacon a la the loaded Bloody Marys you see at brunch food spots all over Instagram
- Add a skewer of Spanish olives and vegan bloody mary jerky if you please! They’re a match made in heaven and another great way to make a loaded Bloody Mary the plant-based way!
- Garnished with fresh herbs like real dill or citrus a lime wedge
- Drizzle some hot sauce on top of the drink for extra spicy!
How to Store Leftovers
If you don’t use all your Bloody Mary mix in one sitting, here are our best storage tips!
In the fridge: Store any leftover Bloody Mary mix sealed in the fridge for up to 48 hours. The mix will get considerably more spicy as it sits, so keep that in mind.
In the freezer: I haven’t tried this, but I think you could freeze this vegan Bloody Mary mix before you add the alcohol if you wanted to have it on-hand for future brunch cravings! Silicone freezing trays from brands like Souper Cubes could be a great tool to use for this! To defrost, I would move the frozen mix to the fridge and let it defrost overnight.
More Vegan Recipes for Cocktails
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Cheers, my friend. Happy brunching!
Vegan Bloody Mary Mix
Ingredients
- 1 (48-oz) can tomato juice
- 1/2 cup prepared horseradish
- 1/4 cup vegan worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup lemon juice juice of 1 lemon*
- 1/4 cup lime juice juice of 1 lime*
- 1 Tbsp celery salt
- 1 Tbsp hot sauce**
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 375 – 750 ml vodka
Instructions
- MIX: In a large pitcher, combine all ingredients but the vodka and whisk together. Reserve the lemon and lime peels and add them to the pitcher as well.
- STEEP: Place the mix in the refrigerator for at least two hours (we like to leave it overnight) to allow the flavors to really steep.
- SERVE: If you wish, remove the citrus peels now. Add the desired amount of vodka just prior to serving and stir. Serve over ice and garnish as desired. See notes for our ideas!
Notes
- **HOT SAUCE: The amount for the hot sauce REALLY depends on the brand of hot sauce you are using. I like to use Cholula in most recipes because it has a really nice balance of heat and flavor; but as we all know, not all hot sauces are created equal.
- VODKA: The amount of vodka used is also purely to personal taste. You can also serve the Bloody Mary without vodka and let your friends add their own to each glass.
- HORSERADISH: Make sure you’re using prepared horseradish and not horseradish sauce which usually contains egg / mayo.
- SERVING IDEAS: Rim your glass with our Bloody Mary Bac’n Salt and garnish with a celery stalk. Other ideas for garnish include small pickles, vegan pepperoni, dairy-free cheese cubes, rice paper bacon, soy curl jerky, green olives, etc. Have fun with this part and enjoy!
