What does a Bloody Mary taste like?
A Bloody Mary tastes savory, tangy and peppery: vodka in seasoned tomato juice with lemon, Worcestershire, hot sauce, horseradish and black pepper, like a spicy, boozy cold soup.
Bloody Mary
savory, spicy tomato, brunch fuel
A Bloody Mary is vodka and tomato juice seasoned with lemon, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, horseradish, celery salt and black pepper, served tall over ice. It's the rare cocktail that tastes savory rather than sweet: thick, tangy tomato first, then salt and a sinus-clearing kick from horseradish and pepper, with hot sauce heat building behind it. Every bar has its own mix, so it can range from mild and juicy to fiery and pickle-heavy. The vodka mostly disappears into all that flavor.
Where you’ll see it
On nearly every brunch menu, in a tall glass with a celery stalk, olives, pickles and lemon, and sometimes a whole garnish skewer of bacon, shrimp or cheese. A Bloody Maria uses tequila, and in Canada the Caesar uses Clamato.
Order it if you want a savory, spicy brunch drink instead of something sweet.
Quick questions
- Is a Bloody Mary spicy?
- Usually a little, from hot sauce, horseradish and pepper. It varies a lot by bar, and many will make it mild or extra spicy if you ask.
- Is a Bloody Mary strong?
- Not very. It's one pour of vodka in lots of tomato juice, so it drinks like a light highball.