Bloody Mary Pitcher Recipe: How to Make Bloody Marys for a Crowd

A bloody mary pitcher recipe should be simple. Combine your seasoning, tomato juice, and citrus in a pitcher. Chill it. Let guests add their own vodka and garnishes. That's the format that works for hosting because it means less work for you and more customization for everyone at the table.

The challenge with most pitcher recipes is that they require measuring six or seven individual seasonings (Worcestershire, hot sauce, horseradish, celery salt, black pepper, garlic powder) and then tasting and adjusting until the balance is right. That works fine for a single drink but becomes tedious when you're scaling up for 10 or 15 people.

A savory drink concentrate replaces all of those seasonings with one pour. The ratios are already locked in. You add tomato juice, stir, and the base is done. That's the approach we use at every farmers market and event we work, and it scales from a small brunch to a full party without any guesswork.

Bloody Mary Pitcher Recipe (Serves 8)

This is the standard brunch-sized batch. One pitcher, eight drinks, done in under five minutes.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz Stu's Bloody Mary concentrate (half a 16 oz bottle)
• 40 oz tomato juice (about 5 cups)
• Juice of 2 lemons
• Ice
• Vodka (served on the side or added to pitcher)

Directions:

Combine the concentrate, tomato juice, and lemon juice in a large pitcher. Stir well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. The longer it sits, the better it tastes. Overnight is ideal if you're making it ahead.

When ready to serve, you have two options. Either stir in 12 oz of vodka (1.5 oz per serving) and pour over ice. Or leave the vodka out of the pitcher and let guests add their own pour. The second approach is better for mixed groups where some people want it stronger, some lighter, and some alcohol-free.

Rim glasses with celery salt or our Sweet Corn Rimmer before pouring. Garnish with celery stalks, pickle spears, lemon wedges, or olives.

Scaling Up: Ratios for Any Size Group

The ratio stays the same no matter how many people you're serving: 1 oz concentrate to 5 oz tomato juice per drink, plus a squeeze of citrus.

For 15 servings:

• 16 oz concentrate (one full bottle)
• 75 oz tomato juice (about 2.3 quarts)
• Juice of 4 lemons
• 22 oz vodka if adding to pitcher

For 20+ servings:

• 24 oz concentrate (one 16 oz bottle plus half of another, or our 3 pack will cover multiple batches)
• 1.5 gallons tomato juice
• Juice of 6 lemons
• Vodka on the side

At this size, keep the vodka separate. Pour the mix over ice and let each person add their spirit. This also makes it easy to offer tequila for Bloody Marias, whiskey for Bloody Mollys, or just the mix on its own as a savory mocktail.

Make It a Bloody Mary Bar

A pitcher is the foundation. A Bloody Mary bar is the experience.

Set out your pitcher of mix alongside:

Spirits: Vodka, tequila, gin (for a Red Snapper)

Heat add-ons: Hot sauce bottles, Ghost Pepper Serum, pickled jalapeños

Rim options: Key Lime Rimmer, Sweet Corn Rimmer, celery salt, Tajin

Garnishes: Celery stalks, pickle spears, olives, lemon wedges, bacon strips, Bloody Mary skewers

Extra juice options: Clamato (for Bloody Caesars), V8, carrot juice

This setup lets 15 to 20 people serve themselves while you actually enjoy the party. The Stu's Bloody Mary Kit includes two bottles of concentrate plus rim salts and Ghost Pepper Serum, which gives you the pitcher base and most of the bar add-ons in a single box.

Choosing Your Flavor

Each concentrate flavor changes the character of your pitcher:

Classic Original is the all-purpose choice. Balanced spice, horseradish bite, and clean tomato pairing. This is the one to use if you're serving a mixed crowd and want broad appeal.

Smoked Jalapeño adds smoky heat. Good for groups that like things bolder, or as the second pitcher option alongside the Classic. It also pairs well with tequila if you're offering a bloody margarita option.

Jamaican Jerk brings allspice, scotch bonnet pepper, and warm Caribbean heat. This one is a conversation starter and works well for summer cookouts and tailgates.

For a party with variety, make two pitchers with two different flavors. One Classic, one Smoked Jalapeño. Label them and let people try both.

Make-Ahead Tips

The bloody mary base (everything except vodka and ice) can be mixed up to 48 hours in advance. Store it covered in the fridge. The flavors actually improve with time as the concentrate fully integrates with the tomato juice.

Don't add vodka to the pitcher until you're ready to serve, or keep it separate entirely. Alcohol doesn't change the flavor balance when sitting in the fridge, but guests prefer choosing their own pour.

Don't add ice to the pitcher either. It melts and dilutes the mix. Keep the pitcher cold in the fridge and pour over fresh ice in each glass.

If you're transporting the mix (to a tailgate, potluck, or cabin weekend), the concentrate travels better than a pre-mixed pitcher. Bring the bottle of concentrate and buy tomato juice at your destination. Less to carry, less to spill, same result.

What to Serve Alongside

Bloody Marys pair naturally with savory brunch foods. Some favorites:

Deviled eggs (try Bloody Mary deviled eggs for a perfect pairing), a charcuterie spread, breakfast tacos, or any classic brunch menu. The savory spice in the drink complements rich, salty, and fatty foods.

For a full hosting guide including food pairings, table setup, and timing, check out the Hosting & Kits guide.

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Looking for the single-serve version? Start with the easy Bloody Mary recipe. Want to explore other formats? Browse all Bloody Mary and savory drink recipes.