The illustrious Bloody Mary… In addition to being a potent hangover remedy, this cocktail is a delicious pick-me-up any time of day. vodka, tomato juice, and some sort of spicy mixture make for a one-of-a-kind drink. But I’ve never seen a Bloody Mary made using V8. You can make a great Bloody Mary with Original V8 instead of tomato juice and celery salt. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice for a traditional taste. For more heat, try adding more Tabasco, Piri Piri, or horseradish sauce.
Want to expand your repertoire with a new cocktail recipe? Read on for the lowdown on mixing up a Bloody Mary using V8, featuring recipes for both the traditional and spicy varieties of this zesty beverage.
What Is A Bloody Mary?
A Bloody Mary, as the name implies, is a cocktail that does not hold back. It’s zingy, peppery, and bursting with flavor. The Bloody Mary, which is made from vodka, tomato juice, and various spices and flavorings, first gained popularity as a hangover remedy some 100 years ago. As a result, you’ll frequently find individuals enjoying a bloody Mary in the morning or early afternoon.
A traditional Bloody Mary is made with a variety of spices and flavorings, as well as vodka and tomato juice. Each cocktail mixologist will have their own unique mixture, although the following ingredients are frequently used:
Sauce with Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco or Piri Piri hot sauce, for example
Garlic \sHerbs
Horseradish
Celery \sOlives
Vegetables pickled
Salt
pepper, black
Citrus liquids like lemon or lime
As you can see, this seems more like a cooking recipe than a cocktail! Drinking a Bloody Mary can feel like a meal in and of itself, whether you’re looking for a fast pick-me-up or trying to put that pesky hangover to bed. Some cocktail bars have taken this concept a step further, garnishing Bloody Marys with bacon and shrimp. This is referred to as a “Surf ‘n Turf” Bloody Mary!
You can prepare a virgin Bloody Mary without the vodka if you don’t drink alcohol. This is equally as tasty, but won’t leave you with a headache the next day. Do you want to make a Bloody Mary but think the method is too time-consuming? Fortunately, there is a faster technique to make Bloody Mary that does not require gathering and processing all of these ingredients from scratch!
What Is V8?
The Campbell Soup Company sells V8, sometimes referred to as V8 Vegetable Juice, as a well-liked beverage all around the world. Due to the fact that the original formula had a combination of eight different vegetables, the moniker V8 was born. There are currently a variety of options available, including versions that include both fruits and vegetables. The tomato-based Original V8 has a recognizable rich red color. There are also carrots, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress, and spinach listed as ingredients in this mixture.
The best way to describe the taste of V8 is as a strongly herby, tomatoey taste with a tinge of salinity. It tastes just like chilled tomato soup with basil and oregano, according to many people! V8 is incredibly nutritious and tastes better than most vegetable juices, which is one of the reasons it is so well-liked. With the exception of the tomato foundation, no one vegetable stands out more than the others, and they all combine to make a delectably light drink.
V8 is a little bit thicker than the majority of fruit juices, while being promoted as a juice drink. It has a silky, rich texture that is smooth without becoming overly thick and losing its refreshing flavor.
V8 is often drank chilled or over ice and is available in cans and bottles. Each can includes one serving, or the recommended daily allowance, of fruit and vegetables, at only 30–60 calories per serving.
Additionally, V8 may be used to make a fantastic Bloody Mary! Whether you prefer the traditional Bloody Mary or are in the mood for something spicy, the complex mixture of vegetable juices pairs very well with vodka.
How To Make A Bloody Mary With V8
Whether you’ve been preparing Bloody Mary drinks from scratch for years or prefer the time-saving Bloody Mary cocktail mix, we’re about to introduce a genuine game-changer – the V8 Bloody Mary! Here are some of our favorite Bloody Mary recipes with V8.
Classic Bloody Mary With V8
This traditional take on the Bloody Mary can be as straightforward or elaborate as your tastes demand. Vodka and original V8 vegetable juice serve as the base for the drink; with a few additional items from the pantry, you’ll have a wonderful artisan cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 can of V8 Original vegetable juice (chilled)
- 2 oz vodka (optional — omit this ingredient for a virgin Bloody Mary)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 dash of hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Piri Piri)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Ice cubes
- Celery stalk (to serve)
Instructions
In a jug or cocktail shaker, combine the V8, vodka (optional), lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and spicy sauce.
After combining the ingredients thoroughly or shaking, add salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the V8 mixture over the ice in a tall glass filled with ice cubes.
Serve after adding the celery stick as a garnish.
Notes
Add a lime slice or a piece of bacon as a garnish if you want to have some fun!
Spicy Bloody Mary With V8
If you prefer your Bloody Mary to be a little spicier, you may use V8 to make a wonderfully hot cocktail that will knock your socks off! This recipe can be modified to make it as hot (or as mild) as desired to suit individual preferences.
Ingredients
- 1 can of V8 Original vegetable juice (chilled)
- 2 oz vodka (optional — omit this ingredient for a virgin spicy Bloody Mary)
- 1 tbsp liquid from a jar of olives or dill pickles
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1–2 tsp horseradish sauce (depending on how spicy you want it!)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- A pinch of garlic powder
- A pinch of onion powder
- A pinch of celery salt
- ¼ tsp seafood seasoning
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Celery stalk (to serve)
Tips And Tricks For Making Bloody Mary With V8
Making sure that the tomato juice or V8 is thoroughly chilled in advance is the key to a great Bloody Mary cocktail. You will need to add more ice and reduce the flavor of your drink if you don’t chill it thoroughly. You may need to reduce the amount of salt you normally add to your Bloody Mary to make up for the fact that V8 already contains some salt.
Change the original V8 vegetable juice to the hot and spicy version if you’re up for a really spicy Bloody Mary. This has a flavor that is pleasantly zesty and will mix well with the other components of this well-known cocktail. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the heat levels when making a batch of Bloody Mary cocktails.
A sprinkle of black pepper may be sufficient for those who prefer their food to be relatively mild because some people can handle a lot more spice than others.
The various types of heat that are added to a Bloody Mary by the use of Tabasco, Piri Piri, and horseradish sauce will all have an impact on the overall flavor of your beverage. If you find horseradish to be overpoweringly hot and spicy, try substituting a milder, sweeter Piri Piri or chili sauce.
Is Bloody Mary Mix The Same As V8?
We’re going to let you in on a little secret: no two Bloody Mary concoctions are same! This recipe has been so many times that it’s difficult to specify exactly what an authentic Bloody Mary should contain. Original V8 is not the same as store-bought Bloody Mary mixes because it still requires the addition of other ingredients and flavorings.
V8 is simply a flavorful blend of tomato and vegetable juices that works exceptionally well in this traditional cocktail. Bloody Mary mixes, on the other hand, are typically based mostly on tomato juice, with other flavorings found in a Bloody Mary. Citrus liquids, black pepper, salt, horseradish, and cayenne pepper are common ingredients.
You could make an immediate cocktail by just adding vodka to a Bloody Mary mix! Of course, most of us can’t help but add a few extra components along the road. If you need a quick fix, there is now a V8 Bloody Mary blend on the market – which means you’ll get the best of both worlds!
This comprises tomato juice, lemon juice, sugar, salt, vinegar, flavoring, molasses, onion extract, red and black pepper, dehydrated garlic, and celery extract – pretty much everything that goes into a traditional Bloody Mary!
The only elements that are missing are the Worcestershire sauce and a source of spice, such as Tabasco sauce or horseradish sauce, although these can simply be added if desired.