This famous cocktail uses gluten-free vodka and ingredients, making it perfect for Sunday brunch. Top with garnishes for a Gluten-Free Bloody Mary!
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Why You'll Love This
- Endless Garnishes: Top your Bloody Mary with a variety of garnishes.
- Customizable: Tailor the drink with different options; set up a garnish station for sharing.
- Savory Flavors: Enjoy a rich cocktail with a kick from Tabasco, tomato juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
"Hair of the Dog" or Drink of Choice?
We each have our own reasons for loving this famous cocktail—whether as a hangover cure or a delicious drink. It's refreshing, filling, satisfying, and sometimes spicy.
If you're new to the drink or intimidated by its appearance, here’s the basics: a gluten-free Bloody Mary includes tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, celery salt, and pepper.
Don’t let the elaborate garnishes scare you; they enhance the drink and make a Bloody Mary unique!
What's The Deal With Gluten-Free Bloody Marys?
The Bloody Mary , invented by French bartender Fernand Petiot around 1921 in Paris, began with a mix of vodka and tomato juice. He claimed to be the first to do this!
So why is the Bloody Mary considered a hangover remedy? It’s considered a hangover remedy because combining "poison" with a remedy helps ease hangover symptoms. Interestingly enough, it does help with a hangover. Who knew!
All About the Tomato Juice
Some folks use a plain tomato juice, Clamato or V8! There are a few differences between brands that might sway your decision on which one to use.
You can use plain tomato juice, Clamato, or V8 for your Bloody Mary. Plain tomato juice is straightforward, while Clamato, which mixes clam juice with tomato juice, creates a thinner drink. V8 is the best choice for a Gluten-Free Bloody Mary due to its health benefits and lack of added sugar! It includes a blend of eight vegetables, offering more nutrients.
I suggest getting more "bang for your buck" and using V8!
Gluten-Free Vodka
Yes, vodka is generally gluten-free. According to the Beyond Celiac website, pure distilled vodka, even if made from wheat, barley, or rye, is safe due to the distillation process. However, added flavorings and other ingredients can introduce gluten. For certainty, brands like Absolut, Tito's, Smirnoff, Grey Goose, Burnett's, Ketel One, Svedka, and New Amsterdam are confirmed gluten-free.
Ingredients
Everything you need for a delicious cocktail, including the base and garnishes to create a Loaded Bloody Mary!
Ingredients for the Bloody Mary
- Ice: Chills the drink.
- Tomato Juice: Savory base for the cocktail.
- Gluten-Free Vodka, Chilled: Light and blends well.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances the tomato juice.
- Tabasco Sauce: Adds spice and complements other flavors.
- Paprika: Boosts the spice level.
- Celery Salt: Adds a fresh, salty balance.
- Pepper: Enhances the spiciness.
Ingredients for the Garnish (Optional)
- Tajin: Adds an extra spicy and sour rim.
- Lime Wedges: Balances spice with a sour note.
- Celery Stalks: Cool down the heat.
- Grilled Cheese: A filling, complementary garnish.
- Bacon: Adds saltiness that pairs well with the spices.
- Jalapeños: For extra heat.
- Olives: Additional saltiness.
- Cornichons: Provides a mix of salty and tart flavors.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!
Substitutions & Variations
If you're missing a few of the above ingredients, or just looking for simple modifications, these tips below can help you adjust the recipe!
- More Kick: Use gluten-free tequila instead of vodka for a Bloody Maria.
- Seaworthy Notes: Add clam broth or use Clamato juice for a sea-inspired flavor.
- Summer's Bloody Mary: Mix in light beer for a refreshing Michelada.
Please note that this recipe has not been tested with any other substitutions or variations than the ones listed above. Please be mindful that if you replace or add any new ingredients not mentioned above that the recipe results may change.
Equipment
Equipment matters, but this simple recipe only needs a shaker and tallboy glasses for serving.
Instructions
Here’s how to make gluten-free Loaded Bloody Marys:
- Rub a lime wedge around the rims of two tallboy glasses and dip in tajin. Refrigerate the glasses.
- Shake the cocktail ingredients in a shaker for 30 seconds.
- Pour the mix into the glasses and garnish as desired.
Shake up your Bloody Mary and pour into an ice filled and Tajin rimmed tallboy glass.
Add in your preferred garnishes, starting with the celery!
Next, add in your bacon and start skewering all other garnishes.
Finally, you are left with a beautifully crafted Bloody Mary cocktail!
Serving Suggestions
Use all garnishes for your Bloody Mary to enhance both its presentation and flavor. This creates a fully stacked cocktail experience!
Top tip
If you are unsure about what to garnish your Bloody Mary with, I've compiled a full breakdown of what each one will add to your cocktail:
- Tajin: Adds a citrusy spice; great for rimming the glass and increasing heat.
- Lime Wedges: Adds a sour twist; use as a wheel, wedge, or peel.
- Celery Stalks: Provides a refreshing, light contrast to the drink.
- Grilled Cheese: Pairs as a side or topping for a unique garnish.
- Bacon: Adds savory flavor and an extra punch.
- Jalapeños: Adds heat for those who like it spicy.
- Olives: Adds saltiness and complements the tomato juice.
- Cornichons: Mini pickles that add a salty, tangy touch.
Storage
Store ingredients separately and keep garnishes tightly sealed in the refrigerator. For the freshest cocktail, mix it on the same day.
FAQ
Despite its tomato base, the cocktail incorporates other flavors for a well-rounded profile. However, if you don't like tomato juice, you might want to skip this one.
Of course! Just skip the alcohol and get to shaking up all of the other ingredients and garnish as normal.
Double all of the ingredients to increase the serving size and you're good to go.
Breakfast Dishes To Pair
We still need a dish that pairs well!
Other Great Cocktails!
Here are some of my current favorites to reach for:
Bloody Mary
Course: CocktailsDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutesA savory, yet refreshing cocktail perfect for brunch or as the ultimate hangover cure!
Ingredients
- Ingredients for the Bloody Mary
1 cup of ice
8 ounces tomato juice
4 ounces of gluten-free vodka, chilled
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon celery salt
½ teaspoon pepper
- Ingredients for the Garnish (Optional)
¼ cup Tajin
Lime wedges
Celery stalks
Grilled cheese
Bacon
Jalapeños
Olives
Cornichons
Directions
- Run a lime wedge across the rim of two tallboy cocktail glasses.
- Then, add the tajin to a plate and invert each glass before garnishing the rims with tajin. Then, place the glasses in the refrigerator.
- Combine the ice, tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, paprika, celery salt and pepper in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds to combine.
- Evenly disperse the Bloody Mary mix between the two glasses.
- Garnish your Bloody Mary with whatever options you choose!
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