This Is the Easiest (and Most Delicious) Bloody Mary You'll Ever Make

I use a secret ingredient that makes it extra special (and easy).

By
Jamie Anulewicz
Jamie Anulewicz
Jamie Anulewicz
Jamie is a New York City based recipe developer and private chef. Her professional background in the wine and spirits industry strongly influences her cooking style, enabling her to skillfully pair complementary flavors and textures in her recipes.
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Published December 19, 2025
Jamie Anulewicz
Two glasses of Bloody Mary cocktails with celery garnish on a table

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Why Make This

  • Using tomato paste gives this bloody Mary a thick consistency and rich tomato flavor.
  • You can easily adjust the spices and heat level to match your personal taste.
  • Make the mix ahead and store it up to a week for stress-free holiday prep.

Bloody Marys are (perhaps strangely) one of my fondest holiday memories. After the Christmas morning festivities, my dad always whipped up a bloody Mary for himself and my mom while they prepared the holiday feast. As a budding spicy food fanatic, I always requested a virgin cocktail for myself.

And now that I’m an adult and spicy food fanatic, the holiday morning bloody Mary is still a tradition. My own love for this fiery, savory cocktail has extended far beyond just holidays, and over the years I have perfected my own version. 

Bloody Mary cocktails garnished with celery with hot sauce and lemon slices in the background

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

The Secret to the Best Bloody Mary

I came up with the idea for using a tomato paste base after taste-testing a few trendy canned cocktail brands. The best ones were thick and rich in tomato flavor, and used a base of tomato paste and water.

So, I tested a homemade version, swapping the traditional tomato or vegetable juice for a blend of tomato paste and water. After some trial and error with the ratios, spices, and seasonings, the recipe below is, in my humble opinion, the absolute best bloody Mary.

I always make this mix in large batches. It can last up to a week in the fridge, so it is a great option to prepare ahead. I mix it at least a day in advance and refrigerate it to let the flavors meld. It is thick, rich, and spicy and can be infinitely customized for every season and mood. It has been such a huge hit that the holiday bloody Mary torch has officially been passed down to me.

Some Variations I Love

  • Substitute lemon, cayenne, and vodka with lime, chipotle powder, and mezcal for a smoky twist. If using a blender, you can even blend in a canned chipotle pepper. Garnish with a slice of crispy bacon.
  • Substitute horseradish and cayenne with gochujang and gochugaru. Garnish with a cooked shrimp and a bit of kimchi.
  • For a non-alcoholic version, substitute 6 ounces (3/4 cup) water or your favorite non-alcoholic spirit for the alcohol; the base mix is absolutely delicious on its own.
Two Bloody Mary cocktails garnished with celery sticks and served with ice on a light background

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Easy Bloody Marys

Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Servings 4 servings
Yield 1 quart

I usually use a blender for this recipe, but whisking everything together in a large bowl works just fine.

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups water

  • 6 ounces vodka, optional

  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tablespoon jarred horseradish, or to taste

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons celery salt

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1 to 2 teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce, optional

  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice)

  • Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

  • 4 stalks celery, optional, for garnish

Method

  1. Combine the ingredients:

    In a blender, combine the water, vodka, if using, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, celery salt, onion powder, cayenne or hot sauce, if using, and lemon zest and juice.  Blend until well combined.

  2. Adjust the seasoning and consistency:

    Season with additional salt, pepper, lemon juice, and cayenne or hot sauce as desired. If the mixture is too thick for your taste, add more water, 1/4 cup at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.

  3. Serve:

    Pour into glasses filled with ice. Garnish with celery stalks, if using, and top with freshly ground black pepper.

    Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to a week. Shake well before serving.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Two glasses of Bloody Mary garnished with celery one being poured from a jug

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
49 Calories
0g Fat
11g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 49
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 590mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 15mg 73%
Calcium 40mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 528mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.