Can you make a Bloody Mary with Whiskey? If you are on this website, we can make an assumption that you’re a fan of the brunch cocktail Queen and like an excellent Bloody Mary.

We get asked quite a bit, is Vodka the only alcohol that you are allowed to use? For an official Bloody, you have to use Vodka. But Bloody Mary’s are such a great cocktail because you can customize so many aspects of the drink to make it personal. Including the booze. 

Yes, a Bloody Mary can be made with Whiskey. However, you’ll need a new name for it as it’s no longer an “official” Bloody Mary.

For those looking to stray away from the norm a Bloody Mary with Whiskey can be a fun and unique twist on the classic vodka drink.

A traditional Bloody Mary drink is typically made of tomato juice, Vodka, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, spices, and a dash or two of hot sauce. But the whiskey can add some complexity that does not exist with a neutral spirit like vodka. 

A Bloody Mary with Whiskey is a gourmet twist on a classic.

Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from fermented grains, such as barley, corn, rye, or wheat. It is aged in barrels, which can add complex flavors to the whiskey, such as smokiness, vanilla, caramel, or oak. The type of whiskey used in a Bloody Mary can greatly influence the overall taste of the cocktail.

In terms of pairing with the other ingredients in a Bloody Mary, whiskey can complement the tomato juice and spices used in the cocktail.

However, it is important to note that whiskey is not a traditional ingredient in a Bloody Mary, and using it may change the overall flavor and character of the drink. As with any cocktail, the choice of spirit is ultimately up to personal preference, and experimenting with different types of whiskey in a Bloody Mary can be a fun and delicious experience.

What Type of Whiskey? 

Not all Whiskeys are equal, and certain whiskeys are better suited for making a bloody mary than others. For the Bloody Mary with Whiskey, you’ll want the intensity and the grain from the spirit, but the woodiness and charcoal tasting notes that come with aging this spirit (or the sweetness that can come from a bourbon) don’t mesh well with the other ingredients.

Bourbon: A bourbon whiskey, which is made from at least 51% corn and aged in charred oak barrels, can add a sweet and smoky flavor to the Bloody Mary. This can be a good option for those who enjoy a savory and slightly sweet taste in their cocktail.The smokiness of a bourbon whiskey can complement the smoky and spicy flavors of the Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce.

Rye Whiskey:  On the other hand, a rye whiskey, which is made from at least 51% rye and aged in charred oak barrels, can add a spicier and drier flavor to the Bloody Mary. This can be a good option for those who prefer a more complex and bold taste in their cocktail. The spiciness of a rye whiskey can enhance the heat of the cocktail, but it’s usually mild enough to not augment the sweetness of tomato juice. Making Rye our personal recommendation over bourbon.

Moonshine: Corn whiskey pairs incredibly well for a lovely Bloody Mary. You’ll find that the tomato works nicely with the corn flavor that you find in an unaged white whiskey. 

For a Mix, use STU’s Bloody Mary Concentrate. It gives you the ability and perfect measurements of ingredients to create a perfect Bloody Mary with Whiskey to make at home with ease. 

We’ve got four recipes below, two with Rye (STUs and homemade) and two with Unaged Corn. 

Ingredients and Whiskey Bloody Mary Recipe: 

• 1½ oz Rye Whiskey
• 4 oz Tomato Juice
• 2 oz STUs
• ¾ oz Worcestershire
• ½ oz lime
• Celery Salt, Black Pepper

To make

Stir evenly, strain into a glass over ice

Homemade Bloody Mary with Whiskey

• 1½ oz Rye Whiskey
• 4 oz Tomato Juice
• ¾ oz Worcestershire
• ½ oz lime juice
• Celery Salt, Black Pepper
• A couple of dashes of Bittermens Hellfire Bitters or your favorite hot sauce

For a unique new twist on an old favorite, we recommend mixing in rye whiskey or corn whiskey instead of your normal of choice of Vodka for a delicious morning drink. Variations on the Bloody Mary can be both a traditional of familiar tastes and a combination of your old favorite in a new and exciting way.

Go to our page for more Bloody Mary Recipes!