summary

There is nothing better than a big batch of Bloody Marys to greet holiday brunch or to start Christmas morning festivities. Full of savory ingredients, this Bloody Mary recipe can be made a day ahead of time. Feel free to increase the horseradish and Tabasco if you want your drinks extra spicy. And, if you have guests that prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can leave the vodka out of the batch and add to individual glasses. Let your guests have fun customizing your Bloody Mary by offering a wide range of garnish options.

ingredients

48 ounces tomato juice
Juice of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons celery salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
6 shakes Tabasco sauce, or more to taste
1¾ cup top-shelf vodka
Optional Garnishes:
Coarse salt or Tajin, for rimming glasses
Lemon wedges
Large green olives
Celery stalks, leaves attached

directions

In a large pitcher, stir together tomato juice, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, garlic powder and Tabasco. Transfer the pitcher to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 and up to 24 hours. The flavors will build over time.
When you are ready to serve, taste the mixture and adjust, adding more lemon juice, horseradish, Tabasco or spices to your liking. Then, stir in the vodka. (If you plan on offering non-alcoholic Bloody Marys, leave out vodka from the batch and pour into individual glasses before adding mix.) Rub the rim of each glass with a lemon wedge and then dip into coarse salt or Tajin. Fill glasses with ice and pour Bloody Mary mixture into each. Garnish with a lemon wedge, olive, celery stalk or other garnish options.

notes

Let the mixture refrigerate as long as possible to allow flavors to come together. You can make small adjustments to the flavor once the mix has chilled by adding more spices, etc.

Top-shelf vodka will yield best results.

You can coat the rim of the glasses in salt, Tajin or a mixture of both.

Garnish ideas: celery stalks, lemon or lime wedges, olives, pickled cocktail onions, pickled green beans, peperoncini, cucumber spear, or edible flowers.

Set up a DIY bar by setting out a pitcher of Blood Mary mix, a pitcher of vodka, a bottle of Tabasco and a platter of garnishes.