Christmas Bloody Mary: A Festive Recipe for Christmas Morning

Forget the eggnog. Forget the tired mulled wine. Christmas morning deserves a drink with a backbone, and a Christmas Bloody Mary is it.

This is a festive twist on the classic Bloody Mary: aquavit instead of vodka for warm caraway spice, a rosemary sprig that smells like the tree, and a garnish bar your family builds themselves. It works for a lazy Christmas brunch, a snowy afternoon by the fire, or the first drink after the gift exchange. Below is the recipe, a make-ahead batch for a crowd, and variations for everyone at the table.

Christmas Bloody Mary Recipe

Makes 1 drink. About 3 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Stu's Classic Bloody Mary seasoning
• 4 to 5 oz tomato juice
• 1½ oz aquavit (or vodka or gin)
• Ice
• Key Lime or Sweet Corn Rimmer, for the rim
• Garnish: a fresh rosemary sprig, a celery stalk, olives, and a lime or lemon wedge

Instructions

1. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a tall glass and dip it in the rimmer.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add the Stu's, tomato juice, and aquavit. Stir with a bar spoon until cold.
4. Rub the rosemary sprig between your palms to wake up the aroma, then tuck it into the glass with the celery stalk and olives.
5. Taste and adjust. Add a few drops of Ghost Pepper Hot Drops for more heat, or a spoonful of prepared horseradish if your crowd likes it.

Stu's is built on Worcestershire, pickle brine, celery salt, and a balanced spice blend, so it replaces the Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, and spices you'd otherwise measure one by one on a busy morning. Our Worcestershire contains anchovy.

Why Aquavit Works in a Christmas Bloody Mary

Aquavit is a Scandinavian spirit flavored with caraway, dill, and other botanicals, and it's a holiday tradition in much of Scandinavia. Those savory, warm spice notes fit a Bloody Mary better than plain vodka, and they make the drink taste like the season without adding sugar.

No aquavit? Gin works well, since the botanicals play the same role. Try our Bloody Mary with gin, a mezcal Bloody Mary for a smokier twist, or your usual vodka.

Make-Ahead Christmas Bloody Marys for a Crowd

Don't spend Christmas morning behind the bar. Mix a pitcher the night before and store it covered in the fridge.

For 8 drinks: 4 to 5 cups tomato juice, 1 cup Stu's, and 1½ cups aquavit or vodka. Stir well in a large pitcher. In the morning, give it another stir, pour over ice, and let everyone garnish their own.

Keep the spirit on the side if you're serving kids or guests who aren't drinking. The base is a complete Virgin Mary on its own. See our full Bloody Mary pitcher recipe for more batch tips.

Set Up a Christmas Morning Bloody Mary Bar

A Bloody Mary bar turns the drink into part of the morning. Set out the pitcher, ice, and a garnish board, and let everyone build their own.

• Festive garnishes: rosemary sprigs, cranberry and olive skewers, candied bacon, pickled green beans, celery stalks, and lemon and lime wedges.
• Something to snack on: cheese cubes, cooked shrimp, and small sausage bites on picks.
• Heat on the side: Ghost Pepper Hot Drops for the guests who want it spicy.
• Two rims: the Key Lime Rimmer for bright and tart, the Sweet Corn Rimmer for savory and a little sweet.

For the full setup, see our guide to building a Bloody Mary bar, our list of Bloody Mary garnishes, and ideas for what to serve with Bloody Marys.

Christmas Bloody Mary Variations

Chipotle. Swap in Smoked Jalapeño, built on a custom chipotle hot sauce with a subtle smoke. Good with mezcal.

Jerk-spiced. Jamaican Jerk brings habanero heat with sweetness underneath. A cinnamon stick garnish plays well with it.

Christmas Virgin Mary. Skip the spirit. The seasoning and tomato juice make a full-flavored Virgin Mary for anyone not drinking.

Red Snapper. Use gin instead of aquavit for a classic cocktail cousin of the Bloody Mary.

Tips for the Best Christmas Bloody Mary

• Chill everything. Cold tomato juice and a cold spirit mean less ice melt and a thicker drink.
• Stir, don't shake. Shaking a Bloody Mary in a cocktail shaker thins the tomato juice and makes it foamy.
• Taste before you serve. Adjust with a squeeze of lime or a few drops of hot sauce.
• Storage. A batch without the spirit keeps up to 2 days in the fridge. Stir before pouring.

Looking for more festive drinks? Browse our holiday drink recipes and brunch cocktails. For a gift for the Bloody Mary lover on your list, see our gifts for cocktail lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Christmas Bloody Mary?

A Christmas Bloody Mary is a classic Bloody Mary with a festive twist: aquavit or gin for warm spice notes, a rosemary sprig garnish, and a holiday garnish bar with cranberries, candied bacon, and pickled vegetables.

Is a Bloody Mary a Christmas drink?

It's a brunch drink, and Christmas morning is a natural time for brunch. A savory Bloody Mary is a welcome change from sweet holiday drinks like eggnog.

Can you make Christmas Bloody Marys ahead of time?

Yes. Mix 4 to 5 cups tomato juice, 1 cup Stu's, and 1½ cups aquavit or vodka for 8 drinks, and store it covered in the fridge overnight. Stir again before serving over ice.

What is a famous Christmas cocktail?

Eggnog, mulled wine, and hot toddies are the classics. For Christmas morning, the Bloody Mary and the mimosa are two classic brunch cocktails.

What is the best Bloody Mary recipe?

Start with 1 oz of Stu's to 4 to 5 oz of tomato juice, add 1½ oz of vodka, stir over ice, and garnish with celery, olives, and a lime wedge. Adjust the heat with hot sauce and add horseradish if you like it.

Does Stu's contain any allergens?

Yes. Our Worcestershire contains anchovy.