Blonde Mary Recipe: The No-Tomato Bloody Mary

A Blonde Mary is a Bloody Mary made without tomato juice. Instead of the classic red base, it uses lighter, golden-colored liquids like white grape juice, chicken broth, or a combination of citrus and clear savory bases. The result is a savory cocktail that has all the spice and complexity of a traditional Bloody Mary but looks completely different and tastes noticeably lighter.

If you love the flavor profile of a Bloody Mary (acid, salt, umami, spice) but don't love tomato juice, the Blonde Mary solves that problem elegantly.

It's also a distinct drink from a Green Bloody Mary, which uses tomatillo as the base. The Blonde Mary avoids both tomato and tomatillo entirely, leaning instead on clear or golden liquids for a cleaner, more delicate presentation.

Blonde Mary with Stu's (The Quick Version)

This is where cocktail concentrates really prove their versatility. Stu's already has all the savory complexity built in: the Worcestershire, hot sauce, spices, acid, and salt. All you're choosing is the base. Swap tomato juice for white grape juice and you've got a Blonde Mary with zero extra effort.

Ingredients

• 1-2 oz Stu's Original Bloody Mary concentrate
• 4 oz white grape juice (unsweetened)
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 2 oz vodka (or omit for non-alcoholic)
• Ice
• Key Lime Salt Rimmer or celery salt for the rim
• Celery stalk, green olive, and lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions

Rim a tall glass with Key Lime Salt or celery salt. The citrus rim complements the golden base better than a traditional savory rim.

Fill the glass with ice.

Add vodka, Stu's concentrate, white grape juice, and lemon juice. Stir well (don't shake, you want it smooth, not frothy).

Garnish with a celery stalk, a green olive on a pick, and a lemon wheel.

Makes 1 drink. Total time: 3 minutes.

Try the Smoked Jalapeño concentrate for a smokier version. The smoky heat against the light grape base creates a contrast you won't get from the Original. The Jamaican Jerk takes it tropical, pairing the allspice and scotch bonnet with the grape's natural sweetness.

Blonde Mary from Scratch

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka (or omit for a non-alcoholic version)
• 4 oz white grape juice (unsweetened)
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 2-3 dashes hot sauce
• 1 tsp prepared horseradish
• Pinch of celery salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• Pinch of smoked paprika
• Ice
• Celery stalk, green olive, and lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions

Rim a tall glass with celery salt or a mixture of salt and smoked paprika.

Fill the glass with ice.

In a shaker or mixing glass, combine vodka, white grape juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce, horseradish, celery salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir well.

Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.

Garnish with a celery stalk, a green olive on a pick, and a lemon wheel.

Makes 1 drink. Total time: 5 minutes.

Why White Grape Juice Works

It might sound unusual, but white grape juice brings the right qualities to a Blonde Mary. It has natural acidity and a touch of sweetness, but it's neutral enough to let the savory seasonings (or concentrate) take center stage.

The grape juice provides body without color. It gives the drink substance so it doesn't taste like spiced water. And because it's unsweetened (make sure to check the label), it stays in savory territory.

Other base options you can try: clear apple juice (also unsweetened), strained chicken broth (for a fully savory direction), or coconut water for a tropical lean. Each changes the character of the drink while keeping it in Blonde Mary territory.

When to Make a Blonde Mary

For guests who don't like tomato. This is the number one reason the Blonde Mary exists. Not everyone loves tomato juice, but most people enjoy savory cocktails. The Blonde Mary gives them an option at your Bloody Mary bar that doesn't feel like a consolation prize.

For visual variety at brunch. If you're hosting and setting out a drink spread, having a red Bloody Mary, a green Bloody Mary, and a golden Blonde Mary on the table makes the bar look impressive. Three colors, one family of drinks, zero extra effort if you're using concentrates.

For lighter spring and summer brunches. The Blonde Mary feels lighter than a traditional Bloody Mary. It pairs better with lighter foods like salads, quiche, fruit plates, and seafood. When tomato feels too heavy for the weather, the Blonde Mary steps in.

For cocktail concentrate experimentation. If you already have a bottle of Stu's and want to explore what it can do beyond tomato juice, the Blonde Mary is one of the best starting points. It proves that the concentrate's flavor profile works independently from any single base.

Garnish Ideas for a Blonde Mary

Because the drink is golden instead of red, the garnish presentation changes.

Green olives, cornichons, pickled pearl onions, and blanched asparagus spears all look beautiful against the golden liquid. A sprig of fresh dill or a thin cucumber ribbon adds elegance.

Avoid heavy garnishes like bacon or shrimp that visually belong on a red Bloody Mary. The Blonde Mary is lighter in both flavor and presentation. Keep the garnishes fresh and green.

For a full guide to Bloody Mary garnishes, including options that work across all color variations, we've got you covered.

Blonde Mary Variations

Blonde Mary with chicken broth. Replace the white grape juice with warm or chilled chicken broth for a fully savory version. This is essentially a drinkable soup and it's surprisingly good. Add extra black pepper and a squeeze of lemon.

Blonde Mary with coconut water. Lighter and slightly tropical. The coconut water adds subtle sweetness and electrolytes. Good for post-workout brunch if that's your thing.

Blonde Mary with sparkling white grape juice. Add effervescence by using sparkling white grape juice (or still juice topped with club soda). The bubbles make it feel more like a spritz and less like a traditional cocktail.

Non-alcoholic Blonde Mary. Simply leave out the vodka. The white grape juice, lemon, and Stu's concentrate carry the drink on their own. Add sparkling water for a zero-proof version that works for any guest who's choosing not to drink.

More Bloody Mary Variations

The Bloody Mary family is bigger than you think. Explore more:

• Classic Bloody Mary
• Green Bloody Mary (tomatillo base)
• Bloody Maria (tequila instead of vodka)
• Bloody Molly (whiskey instead of vodka)
• Bloody Bull (beef broth added)
• Bloody Caesar (Clamato base)
• Mezcal Bloody Mary (smoky mezcal swap)
• Frozen Bloody Mary (blended with ice)

Or browse all variations in our Bloody Mary and Savory Drinks hub.