There’s something about a Bloody Mary that seems celebratory. With its flavor-packed taste and seemingly endless range of toppings that can be added as garnish—fruits, veggies, proteins, spicy rims—it’s no surprise this cocktail is a brunch favorite. We rounded up recipes that put a new spin on the classic drink: Make 'em frozen, with beer, or sans alcohol. Whether you’re hosting your own New Year’s Day boozy brunch or just want to spice up a sleepy weekend morning, these healthier Bloody Mary recipes will have you jumping out of bed like it’s Christmas morning… no premade mix allowed.
1. Tomatillo Green Bloody Mary
Green juice meets boozy brunch in this spicy Bloody Mary recipe. Steep vodka and jalapeños in a mason jar for 12-24 hours, then cut the heat a bit with a homemade Bloody Mary mix made with tomatoes, tomatillos, celery, horseradish, and spices.
2. Dill Pickle Bloody Mary
This recipe requires a bit of prep, since the dill pickle-infused vodka is best after being stored for a week. If you’re not down for that, adding fresh dill to the drink or using a store-bought dill pickle vodka (if you can find it—lucky Southerners!) works too. The result is a fresh, cold drink that’s the perfect balance to a savory brunch.
3. Mexican Bloody Mary
Not a big vodka fan? This recipe replaces the hard stuff with beer, which is also nice if you’re looking to have a more low-key brunch (read: not get smashed before noon). We’re also super into the chili powder and sea-salt rim.
4. The Classic Bloody Mary
Sometimes you just want the original. Whip up the standard vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, and lemon or lime juice, plus half a teaspoon each of olive juice and Worcestershire sauce, and serve with a platter of garnish to customize. Celery, olives, and pickle spears are classic. Or you can get fancy and add shrimp, bacon, mozzarella, or veggie slices.
5. Detox Bloody Mary
Breeze through Dry January (or at least the first few days) with this alcohol-free Bloody Mary. Diced tomatoes, lemon, and veggie garnish make this a pretty healthy option and won't leave you feeling deprived of a pretty cocktail at brunch. To keep things festive, blend all the ingredients with ice and dress it up with celery, pickles, or olives.
6. Frozen Bloody Mary
The benefits of hosting a brunch at home? You can drink frozen cocktails all year round, despite the frosty temperatures outside. This recipe uses frozen tomatoes (4-6 hours in the freezer should do, and make sure to cut them into wedges first) instead of ice—no watered down beverages here.
7. Balsamic Bloody Mary
Puréed celery and a balsamic vinegar reduction take this Bloody Mary to the next level. The best part? You can easily make the mixture ahead of time and prepare drinks the day of, adding it to a glass of ice and your preferred amount of vodka. As always, the more garnish the merrier—veggies and lemon or lime wedges are solid choices.