While there are plenty of other ways to cure a hangover, we’re the kind of folks that will most likely ignore any sage advice and hit the hair of the dog … at least for today. With that in mind, nothing screams “hair of the dog” quite like a Bloody Mary. Not only do they contain a slew of vitamins and nutrients, but they can be customized to fulfill your weirdest wishes and desires. Like your drink spicy? Toss some hot sauce or a dash of hot pepper in there. The Bloody Mary is the epitome of Walt Disney’s famous saying, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
If you’re hungover, the last thing you probably want to think about is actually having to make your own Bloody Mary mix. A Bloody Mary, while delicious, can be a labor-intensive cocktail drink to make with either tequila, whiskey, or gin — especially when you are in a position where even the thought of sunlight makes you want to throw up.
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That is where the store-bought mix comes in. You can find hundreds of types of Bloody Mary mixes, from the conventional to the insane, and everything in between. So that you don’t have to, we dug in and determined twelve of the best Bloody Mary mixes to buy.
Zing Zang
Zing Zang is a staple mix for most people. Not too much going on flavor-wise (everything you expect, nothing you don’t), so it’s perfect for those that like to pimp out their Bloody Marys with all sorts of stuff, or whatever you happen to have on hand.
Mr. & Mrs. T’s Bold & Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
Another staple of the Bloody Mary mix world, Mr. & Mrs. T’s comes in a variety of flavors, catering to most Bloody Mary palates. We’ve chosen the Bold & Spicy because it helps to take the guesswork out of adding seasoning after you’ve poured the mix.
Suckerpunch Gourmet Bloody Mary Mix
Known for their pickles and salsas as much as their Bloody Mary mix, Suckerpunch offers up both a Regular and a Bold & Spicy version. We’ve gone with the plain here as the spice characteristics in the Bold version are a little too garlic-y for our tastes.
Finest Call Loaded Bloody Mary Mix
If you find yourself making your homemade Bloody Marys with V8 and not tomato juice, this mix is for you. Multiple vegetables are added to the tomato, lemon, and spices, giving a nice, round flavor on its own.
Major Peters Hot & Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
A fairly full-flavored mix on its own, Major Peters kicks up their own recipe with a hot and spicy version. While it may not be as spicy as people who love hot stuff are used to, it still packs a decent punch — enough to wake you up some on a lazy Sunday afternoon. As a bonus, Major Peters is sold in 64-ounce jugs.
McClure’s Bloody Mary Mix
McClure’s is a brand known for its pickles, so if you like salty, briny goodness, this mix is for you. The pickle flavor, to those that don’t truly love pickles, will be overwhelming. However, a little extra sodium should help that hangover.
Charleston Bold & Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
While Charleston has a milder flavor, you’ll want to go with the bold here. Using all-natural ingredients that include sea salt, apple cider vinegar, and a habanero pepper mash, this concoction is rightfully one of the best mixes to come out of the South.
Cutwater Spirits Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
You probably already know Ballast Point for their beers (including the oh-so-delicious Grapefruit Sculpin), but you may not be aware of the brands liquor-centric off-shoot, Cutwater Spirits, which makes a top-notch Bloody Mary mix. If you’re feeling extra hungover, you can get it pre-mixed in a can.
V8 Bloody Mary Mix
If you’ve ever had a glass of Campbell’s V8 before (or used it when you didn’t have true Bloody Mary mix around), you pretty much know what you’re getting with their Bloody Mary mix. It is a solid option if you are looking for quantity, as a 46-ounce jug will run you less than five bucks.
Miss Mary’s Morning Elixir
Crafted in small batches with no MSG, gluten, corn syrup, or major allergens, Miss Mary’s Morning Elixir is a great option if you’ve got some folks in your party that would respond negatively to any of the aforementioned. Miss Mary’s comes in three flavors — Original, Bold & Spicy, and Thick & Savory — so you’ve got a few options. Our favorite of the three is the Original, though the Bold & Spicy comes in a close second.
Demitri’s Extra Horseradish Bloody Mary Seasoning
Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasoning is a little bit of a departure from the other mixes on this menu. Instead of being an all-inclusive bottle, this seasoning is used in conjunction with tomato juice (and your spirit of choice) to make a Bloody Mary. We’ve gone with the Extra Horseradish version because of the extra zing it adds to every Bloody Mary.
Square One Organic Mixers Bloody Mary Mix
As evidenced by the brand’s name, this one is organic (in addition to being vegan and gluten-free). Based on a “50-year-old family recipe,” Square One’s Bloody Mary mix is made without added sugars or artificial ingredients — a welcome respite from many brands on your grocery store shelves. The traditional flavor is good, but the Basil flavor is where the brand really shines (they also have a Cucumber flavor, which goes nicely with Hendrick’s gin).
What do You Garnish a Bloody Mary With?
Traditionally a Bloody Mary will be garnished with a lime or lemon wedge/slice, a few olives, celery, and some salt around the rim. However, these days to stand out from the crowd, bartenders are garnishing Bloody Marys with anything and everything as long as the glass doesn’t tip over. We’ve seen bacon, beef jerky, dried fish, shrimp, sliders, waffles, donuts, and even fried chicken. They’ve become mini-brunch buffets that restaurants can upcharge on based on every ingredient. If you’re making Bloodies at home, you have no boundaries, garnish till your heart’s content.
How Can I Make My Bloody Mary Mix Better?
One thing that we’ve found that pre-made Bloody Mary mixes are lacking is acidity and zing. You can bump up the zing by adding your favorite hot sauce or a little prepared horseradish. For added acidity, we’d recommend any citrus. Or, if you want to get crazy, try some bitters or kombucha. Also, pickle juice will add a kick of additional saltiness in addition to acidity.
What are the Best Bloody Mary Mixes?
Well … we’ve already touched on what we think the top Bloody Mary mixes are. But if you still not sold on any of them, one thing that makes a great Bloody Mary mix is the use of fresh, all-natural ingredients. Also, if you can find a Bloody Mary mix with little to no preservatives, you’ll have the closest thing you can find to homemade.
