Bloody Molly Recipe: The Whiskey Bloody Mary That Converts Vodka Loyalists

A Bloody Molly is a Bloody Mary made with Irish whiskey instead of vodka. That single swap changes everything about the drink. The whiskey brings warmth, a little sweetness, and a depth that vodka simply can't match.

If you've been making Bloody Marys the same way for years, this is the variation that breaks the routine.

The Bloody Molly recipe below takes about 3 minutes to make. It works for St. Patrick's Day brunch, Sunday mornings, or any time you want a Bloody Mary with more character. We'll cover two versions (classic and spiced), the best whiskeys to use, garnish pairings that actually make sense with whiskey, and how to build a Bloody Molly bar for a group.

Bloody Molly Recipe (Classic)

This is the straightforward version. If you've never tried whiskey in a Bloody Mary before, start here.

Ingredients:

2 oz Irish whiskey (Jameson, Tullamore D.E.W., or Powers)
1-2 oz Stu's Classic Original Bloody Mary Concentrate
5-6 oz tomato juice
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Ice
Celery salt for rimming (optional)

Directions:

Rim a tall glass with lemon and dip in celery salt if desired.
Fill the glass with ice.
Add Stu's concentrate and tomato juice. Stir to combine.
Pour in the Irish whiskey.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Stir gently and garnish.

The lemon juice matters more here than in a vodka Bloody Mary. It brightens the drink and keeps the whiskey from making things too heavy. Don't skip it.

Pro tip: Stu's concentrate already has the spice blend, horseradish, and Worcestershire built in. You don't need to add 15 ingredients. That's the whole point.

Spiced Bloody Molly Recipe (Smoked Jalapeño)

For anyone who wants heat with their whiskey. The smokiness in Stu's Smoked Jalapeño concentrate pairs with Irish whiskey the way campfire smoke pairs with a wool blanket. It just works.

Ingredients:

2 oz Irish whiskey
1-2 oz Stu's Smoked Jalapeño Bloody Mary Concentrate
5-6 oz tomato juice
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Dash of hot sauce (optional, if you want even more heat)
Ice

Directions:

Same method as the classic recipe. The Smoked Jalapeño concentrate does the heavy lifting on flavor. Taste before adding extra hot sauce. You might not need it.

What Is a Bloody Molly?

A Bloody Molly (sometimes called a Molly drink) is the Irish whiskey version of a Bloody Mary. The name is a nod to Molly Malone, the legendary Dublin fishmonger. Where a traditional Bloody Mary uses vodka as a neutral spirit that lets the tomato and spice flavors lead, a Bloody Molly puts the spirit front and center.

Irish whiskey is triple-distilled and aged in oak barrels, which gives it a smoother, slightly sweet character compared to most vodkas. That sweetness balances the acidity of the tomato juice and the heat of the spices in a way that creates a rounder, more complex cocktail.

The Bloody Molly isn't new. Irish pubs have been making whiskey Bloody Marys for decades. But it's been gaining traction at brunch spots and home bars, especially among people who find vodka Bloody Marys a little one-dimensional.

Best Whiskey for a Bloody Molly

Not all whiskeys work here. Bourbon is too sweet. Scotch is too smoky (unless that's your thing). Rye is too spicy. Irish whiskey is the sweet spot.

Our top picks:

Jameson is the obvious choice and honestly a great one. It's smooth, affordable, and available everywhere. If you're making Bloody Mollys for a group, this is the bottle to buy.

Tullamore D.E.W. has a slightly maltier flavor that adds another layer to the cocktail. A little more interesting than Jameson for the same price.

Powers Gold Label is pot-still whiskey with more body and a slight honey note. This makes the best Bloody Molly of the three if you're making just one drink and want it to be special.

Redbreast 12 is premium, so you wouldn't use it for a batch. But for a single cocktail when you want to impress someone, the sherry cask influence adds dried fruit and spice notes that play beautifully with the tomato base.

Bloody Molly vs. Bloody Mary: What's Different?

The spirit changes the entire character of the drink.

A vodka Bloody Mary is all about the mix. The vodka provides alcohol and a slight burn, but it doesn't contribute much flavor. The tomato juice, spices, and garnishes do the talking.

A Bloody Molly is a conversation between the whiskey and the mix. The whiskey brings caramel notes, a little vanilla from the barrel aging, and warmth that hangs around longer on the palate. The result is a drink that feels heavier, more complex, and more like something you'd sip slowly rather than gulp down.

Neither is better. They're different moods. The Bloody Mary is bright and sharp. The Bloody Molly is warm and rounded.

For what it's worth, most people who try a Bloody Molly for the first time say something like "why haven't I been doing this?" It's one of those swaps that feels obvious in hindsight.

Garnish Ideas for a Bloody Molly

The whiskey changes what works as a garnish. Here are the pairings that actually complement the flavor:

Rosemary sprig. The herbal, piney aroma plays against the warmth of the whiskey. Every sip comes with a hit of fresh fragrance. This is our favorite Bloody Molly garnish.

Orange twist. Irish whiskey has subtle citrus notes already. An orange peel ties the whiskey back into the drink and adds a little brightness.

Cheddar and charcuterie skewer. The fat and salt from cheese and cured meat balance the acidity of the tomato juice. Whiskey holds its own against rich, savory flavors better than vodka does.

Pickled vegetables. Classic for a reason. Pickled green beans, asparagus, or cornichons add crunch and tang.

Bacon. Works with everything, but especially well here. The smoky, salty bacon mirrors the toasty notes in the whiskey.

For more ideas, check out our full guide to Bloody Mary garnishes.

How to Build a Bloody Molly Bar

Setting up a Bloody Mary bar for a group? Adding a Bloody Molly option is easy. Just put out a bottle of Irish whiskey alongside the vodka and let guests choose their spirit.

What you need:

Bottles of Stu's Bloody Mary Concentrate (one bottle makes 12+ drinks)
Tomato juice
Irish whiskey and vodka (let guests choose)
Lemon wedges
Stu's rim salts (sweetcorn salt and key lime celery salt)
Garnish spread: rosemary, citrus, pickled vegetables, cheese, olives, bacon
Ice

The concentrate format makes this simple. No measuring 10 different bottles. Guests add concentrate, juice, their spirit of choice, and garnish however they want. That's the ritual.

For the full setup guide, see our post on how to make your own Bloody Mary bar.

Other Whiskey Bloody Mary Variations

Once you've tried the Bloody Molly, the whole category opens up:

Bloody Scotsman: Use blended Scotch. The peat smoke adds an earthy layer. Pairs well with Stu's Smoked Jalapeño concentrate.

Bourbon Bloody Mary: Sweeter and heavier. Works best with robust, spicy mixes. Not for everyone, but bourbon fans tend to love it.

Rye Bloody Mary: The spiciness of rye whiskey amplifies the heat in the mix. If you like your Bloody Marys hot, try this.

Mezcal Bloody Mary: Not whiskey, but the same idea of swapping vodka for a more flavorful spirit. The smoke from mezcal creates a completely different experience.

Bloody Maria: Tequila instead of vodka. Lighter and more citrus-forward.

Each spirit tells a different story. That's what makes the cocktail concentrate format so versatile. Same bottle of Stu's, completely different drink depending on what you pour with it.

FAQ

Is a Bloody Molly the same as a Bloody Mary with whiskey?

Yes. A Bloody Molly is simply a Bloody Mary made with Irish whiskey instead of vodka. The name comes from Molly Malone, the famous Dublin figure. Any Bloody Mary with whiskey could be called a Bloody Molly, though traditionally the name refers specifically to Irish whiskey versions.

What's the best Irish whiskey for a Bloody Molly?

Jameson is the most popular choice and works great. For a step up, try Tullamore D.E.W. or Powers Gold Label. Avoid anything too peaty or smoky unless you specifically want that flavor profile in your cocktail.

Can I use bourbon instead of Irish whiskey?

You can, but it creates a different drink. Bourbon is sweeter and has stronger vanilla and caramel notes that can overpower the tomato and spice. Irish whiskey is smoother and more balanced for this cocktail. If you do use bourbon, go with something less sweet like Buffalo Trace or Four Roses.

Is a Bloody Molly good for brunch?

It's a brunch star. The whiskey adds warmth and complexity that makes the drink feel more substantial than a vodka Bloody Mary. It's especially popular on St. Patrick's Day, but works any weekend you want something a little different.

What's the difference between a Bloody Molly and a Bloody Scotsman?

A Bloody Molly uses Irish whiskey. A Bloody Scotsman uses Scotch whisky. The main flavor difference is that Scotch often has smoky, peaty notes from the malting process, while Irish whiskey tends to be smoother and slightly sweet. Both are great, but they create distinctly different cocktails.

How do I make a Bloody Molly for a crowd?

Use a Stu's Bloody Mary kit and a bottle of Irish whiskey. One bottle of concentrate makes 12+ drinks, so you can batch the tomato juice and concentrate in a pitcher and let guests add their own whiskey and garnishes. See our Bloody Mary bar guide for the full setup.