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Basil Bloody Mary

5 from 8 votes
Time: 15 minutes
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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.

Ingredients for Bloody Mary Mix. Tomato juice, worcestershire sauce, pickle juice, lemon zest, cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, horseradish.

How To Make The BEST Basil Bloody Mary

This Basil Bloody Mary is so simple!

  1. Prepare the rim of your glasses with seasoning and freeze.
  2. Muddle together fresh basil and the vodka spirit chosen (alcoholic or non alcoholic), set aside.
  3. Mix up your tomato juice mixture (tomato juice, pickle juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper).
  4. Add the basil infused vodka spirit and stir until everything is well combined.
  5. Pour into chilled glasses. Avoid adding ice to your Bloody Mary by chilling the ingredients and freezing your glasses while you mix them up.
  6. 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:

What if I do not have a muddler to muddle the basil?

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.

How do I make a bloody mary without alcohol?

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.

Can I make this recipe without basil?

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.

Basil Bloody Mary

More Fresh Mocktails You Might Enjoy:


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Enjoy Entirely, Elizabeth
Basil Bloody Mary Mocktail and Cocktail recipe. Drinks surrounded by olives, lemon wedges, tomatoes, tajin.

Basil Bloody Mary

Elizabeth Swoish
This Basil Bloody Mary recipe is spicy, fresh, and bold! Learn how to make it as a cocktail or mocktail, and with even fresher basil flavor!
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Beverage
Servings 4 servings
Calories 272 kcal

EQUIPMENT

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.

Tried this recipe?Feel free to share a rating and comment below. Don’t forget to tag me on social media, or use the hashtag #EntirelyElizabeth – I would love to see what you’ve made!
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By Elizabeth Swoish on January 11th, 2022
Elizabeth Swoish holding a camera up to her eye taking a photo.

About Elizabeth Swoish

Elizabeth Swoish is the founder and CEO of Entirely Elizabeth. She is a self-taught foodie and mocktail enthusiast with a business degree in data analysis. Read Elizabeth's food journey or connect on your favorite social media channels.

16 thoughts on “Basil Bloody Mary”

  1. 5 stars
    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!

    Reply

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