This Bloody Mary recipe is NEW and IMPROVED, but don’t worry it is still spicy, fresh, and packed with bold basil flavor! Learn how to make a Bloody Mary mocktail OR cocktail that everyone can enjoy!
For more delicious drinks, check these out!

When I first shared this recipe I was living in Arkansas and there was a wonderful local distillery called Rock Town. There I bought basil flavored vodka and fell in love with it. I never realized their vodka was not readily available to most of my readers (my fault). This is why I decided to improve and add additional information to this recipe.
Ingredients In A Basil Bloody Mary Mocktail AND Cocktail!
Below are the ingredients needed as well as suggested products and substitutions.
- Tomato Juice: Feel free to use whatever you prefer; bottled or homemade. I use reduced sodium V8 vegetable juice for this recipe but any tomato juice will do.
- Dill Pickle Juice: Adds a salty, brininess to the juice. Green olive juice is a great substitution.
- Horseradish: You want freshly ground horseradish, do not mistake this for horseradish sauce. Feel free to use any brand and spiciness you prefer.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a lot of flavor, don’t skip this.
- Lemon Zest: I like using zest because the flavor is always better. Lemon juice can be used in it’s place.
- Cajun Seasoning: I use Slap Ya Mama’s but any type of Cajun seasoning works. You can also omit this if you do not want your Basil Bloody Mary to be spicy.
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Vodka Spirit:
- Non alcoholic vodka: I recommend Seedlip Spice 94 or tonic water. Here is a great guide to other types of non alcoholic vodka.
- Alcoholic vodka: Use your favorite brand of vodka.
- Fresh Basil: If you use a basil infused spirit that is store-bought or homemade, omit this. You can also omit the basil if it is out of season in your area or you prefer not to use it.
NOTE: You can also use Rock Town Basil Flavored Vodka (as pictured throughout this post) and skip the infusing and muddling of fresh basil all together.
How To Make The BEST Basil Bloody Mary
This Basil Bloody Mary is so simple!
- Prepare the rim of your glasses with seasoning and freeze.
- Muddle together fresh basil and the vodka spirit chosen (alcoholic or non alcoholic), set aside.
- Mix up your tomato juice mixture (tomato juice, pickle juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper).
- Add the basil infused vodka spirit and stir until everything is well combined.
- Pour into chilled glasses. Avoid adding ice to your Bloody Mary by chilling the ingredients and freezing your glasses while you mix them up.
- Garnish as desired and sip!
TIP: Make your tomato juice mixture ahead of time and refrigerator overnight. This helps the flavors to develop and meld together.
Add Some Flare To The Rim!
So before you make your Basil Bloody Mary you have got to try rimming the glass with seasoning. It adds extra appeal and flavor to every sip you take!
I prefer Cajun Seasoning because it compliments this Basil Bloody Mary so well. Other options include sea salt, Tajin, salt and pepper, etc.
To get the perfect rim all you have to do is:
Garnishing Your Basil Bloody Mary
This is hands down the best part because you can get so creative. Just make sure you leave some room at the top of your glass because as you add celery and skewers of goodies it will take up space in your drink. You definitely don’t want this deliciousness to overflow.
Anyways, I like to choose toppings with various profiles:
- crunchy celery
- tart lemon
- spicy cheese
- sweet tomatoes
- salty pimento stuffed olives.
You can also add proteins like beef sticks and beef jerky, Cajun shrimp, candied bacon, and even meat sliders. A crusty hunk of garlic bread would be so delicious too!
TIP: Use bamboo skewers to thread garnishes onto. This gives it the “wow factor” while keeping everything in place.
Frequently Asked Questions:
It is not a problem! You can use the butt of a wooden spoon or really anything that will allow you to crush the basil oils into the liquid.
I recommend using a non alcoholic vodka spirit like Seedlip Spice 94 or by using tonic water. Both are great options because they enhance the flavors of the drink while adding a bubbly essence without the use of alcohol. You will never know this is a Bloody Mary Mocktail.
Yes of course! If basil is out of season or you prefer to not use it, leave it out. By omitting it you will have a delicious and classic Bloody Mary Mocktail or cocktail.
More Fresh Mocktails You Might Enjoy:
- Lemon Mojito Mocktail
- Cranberry Margarita Mocktail
- Smoked Whiskey Sour Mocktail
- Apple Bee’s Knees Mocktail
- Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail
- Pina Colada Mocktail
- Grapefruit Ginger Beer Mocktail
- Spicy Jalapeno Margarita Mocktail
- Blue Lagoon Mocktail
- Sunrise Mocktail Spritzer
- Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail
- Blueberry Gin Cocktail
- Rosemary Maple Bourbon Sour
- Mimosa Mocktail
- Non Alcoholic Aperol Spritz Mocktail
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Basil Bloody Mary
EQUIPMENT
- muddler
INGREDIENTS
Cajun Seasoning Rim
- 1 lemon wedge
- ½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Basil Bloody Mary Mocktail or Cocktail
- 20 ounces tomato juice; - or a tomato vegetable juice like V8
- 3 ounces dill pickle juice
- 1 ¼ teaspoon horseradish
- 1 ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 small lemon - zested
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning - plus more for the rim of the glass
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 basil leaves - fresh and washed
The "Vodka" – CHOOSE 1 OPTION BASED OFF YOUR PREFERENCES
- 6 ounces alcoholic vodka
- 6 ounces non alcoholic vodka - I recommend Seedlip Spice 94
- 6 ounces tonic water; - a great option if you do not have access to alcohol free spirits
Garnishes
- 4 lemon slices
- 4 celery stalks
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- 4 pepper jack cheese - chunks
- 4 olives with pimentos
INSTRUCTIONS
Cajun Seasoning Rim
- In a shallow dish add the Cajun seasoning.
- Rub the rim of each glass with a lemon wedge and dip it into the Cajun seasoning coating it entirely.
- Freeze the glasses to chill while you move on.
Basil Bloody Mary Mocktail or Cocktail
- In a large pitcher, whisk together the tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, Cajun seasoning, salt, black pepper. Set aside.
- In a large jar add the fresh basil leaves and vodka, non alcoholic vodka, or tonic water. Muddle for 3 to 5 minutes to crush the basil leaves and release the oils.
- Strain out the basil leaves and add the basil infused liquid to the tomato juice mixture in the large pitcher. Stir well to combine.
- Remove the glasses from the freezer and add ice to the glasses (if desired). Pour the Basil Bloody Mary equally into the glasses.
Garnishes
- To the bamboo skewers add cherry tomatoes, olives with pimentos, and chunks of pepper jack cheese. Place one in each glass.
- Add a stalk of celery and lemon slice to each glass. Serve!
VIDEO
RECIPE NOTES
*If basil is out of season or you prefer to not use it, leave it out. By omitting it you will have a delicious and classic Bloody Mary mocktail or cocktail.
Storing Information:
- Refrigerated, for up to 3 days
Substitutions:
- Rim the glass with sea salt, Tajin, or a mixture of salt and pepper. You can also leave it plain
- Garnish with other types of vegetables, pickled foods, and cheeses. Try adding beef sticks or jerky, Cajun shrimp skewers, candied bacon, mini meat sliders, or crusty bread.
- Make it not spicy by omitting the Cajun seasoning.
- Use green olive juice instead of pickle juice (equal amounts).
- Use lemon juice instead of lemon zest (about 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice).
- Use basil infused vodka like what is pictured: Rock Town Basil Flavored Vodka
Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
I didn’t even know that basil vodka exists! Thank you for introducing me to it. It is the perfect addition to the bloody Mary!
I am so glad to hear that! And yes, Basil Vodka is life-changing. HA!
Thank you for the review!
~Elizabeth
I usually only like bloody marys at bars but I tried your recipe and it was so good! This could be dangerous for the future but I’m so glad I tried it!
That is how I was too! Covid is what made me venture out to making my own. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
~Elizabeth
In Canada we have a similar cocktail called a Caesar, which has clam juice in it. I think I’d be all over this bloody Mary with the pickle juice, horseradish and Worcestershire.
So fun! That sounds delicious as well! The pickle juice makes this!
~Elizabeth
I could use this tonight. 🙂 This drink is so pretty and would be great for a friend get together.
I hope you and your friends enjoy it! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
~Elizabeth
this could replace my mimosas over bruncH!htt
OH YES! This has replaced my mimosas. But I am a total savory girl lately.
Enjoy!
~Elizabeth
I love bloody mary. I will definitely give your recipe a try. Looks fantastic!
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it Natalie. Let me know when you try it what you think!
~Elizabeth
This looks stunning! Makes me want a Bloody Mary stat! Basil and Cajun spices is a great touch.
Thank you Gregory! I put Cajun in EVERYTHING these days! I hope you enjoy them!
~Elizabeth
Love this! Every day is bloody Mary day in my opinion!
I couldn’t agree more Kayla!
Thank you for the review!
~Elizabeth