Bloody Mary Mix
 

Best Bloody Mary Mix

 

The Fifty Best Bloody Mary Mix Tasting 2024


The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 23 Bloody Mary mixes with ten members of our spirits judging panel. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. The well-chilled Bloody Mary mixes were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles and served to the judges. The judges were provided with ice cubes to add to each sample during the tasting. Ice water, unflavored unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded for the tasting. Medals are awarded based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The states of origin are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Zing Zang Blazing Bloody Mary Mix
(IL)

Palate: Roasted tomato, roasted bell pepper, celery, herbs, lime, horseradish, wasabi, tabasco sauce, pepper, spice, briny, great blend of ingredients, great balance, clean.
Finish: Tomato, red pepper, garlic, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, habanero, very peppery, spicy, smoke, heat builds, perfect balance, rich, complex, above average, nice, classic, top choice, great.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Zing Zang Blazing Bloody Mary Mix



GJ’s Bloody Mary 1 Shot Mix
(KS)  Blended with Sacramento Tomato Juice.

Palate: Tomato, ripe tomato, sweet tomato, cooked tomato, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, tamarind, olives, capers, celery salt, lemon/lime, horseradish, dill pickle, pepper, spicy, classic.
Finish: Tomato, celery, dill, lemon, pickle, Worcestershire sauce, spices, subtle pepper, lingering Cajun flavors, smoky, well balanced, multi versatile, nice, rich, classic, very nicely done, enjoyable.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



GJ’s Bloody Mary 1 Shot Mix



Bobbo’s Bloody Mary Mix
(NC)

Palate: Real tomato flavor, tomato juice, roasted tomato, tamarind, lemon/lime, horseradish, vegetal, celery, celery salt, salt, cayenne pepper, big pepper, spicy, tartness, earthy.
Finish: Tomato, lime, herbal, salt, balanced spices, black pepper, peppery, well balanced, layered, complex, interesting, unique, fresh, flavorful, warm & inviting, pleasant, classic, perfection.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Bobbo’s Bloody Mary Mix



Oxford Falls Wake Up Crabby Bloody Mary Mix
(CA)  Made with real shrimp and crab.

Palate: Tomato, crab, shrimp, shellfish, briny, black olives, garlic, onion, celery, Worcestershire sauce, lime, vinegar, horseradish, jalapeño, peppery, cayenne pepper, pine sawdust.
Finish: Tomato, linguine with clam sauce, seafood, garlic, black pepper, well balanced, smooth, rich, fresh taste, enjoyable.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Oxford Falls Wake Up Crabby Bloody Mary Mix



Diablo Dev’s Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
(CA)

Palate: Tomato, green tomato, yellow bell pepper, green pepper, celery, lemon, lime, black olives, umami, horseradish, tabasco sauce, pepper, cayenne pepper, earthy, natural sweetness, refreshing, has everything.
Finish: Tomato, roasted tomato, sweet peppers, lemon, peppery, black pepper, spicy, beautiful spice blend, smoky, nice build of heat, elegant heat.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Diablo Dev’s Spicy Bloody Mary Mix



Dude Wow Bloody Mary Mix
(FL)

Palate: Roasted tomatoes, tomato paste shrimp cocktail sauce, horseradish, garlic, celery, red pepper, vegetal, lemon, lime, peppery with cilantro, spice, crab, seafood, salt, saline, delicious on its own.
Finish: Tomato, crab, fish, horseradish, garlic, pickled cucumber, black pepper, hot sauce, complex, unique, bright, well balanced, chunky, flavorful, a great Bloody Mary.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Dude Wow Bloody Mary Mix



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Sobelman’s Bloody Mary Mix
(WI)

Palate: Tomato, tomato juice, cooked tomato, lemon, garlic, parsley, dried herbs, horseradish, molasses, Tabasco sauce, brine, wasabi, pepper, mid-level spice, smoke.
Finish: Tomato, cocktail sauce, vegetables, bitter herbs, garlic, salt, jalapeño, peppery, heat builds, nice heat, sweet, balanced, fun.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Sobelman’s Bloody Mary Mix



Fever-Tree Classic Bloody Mary Mix
(NY)

Palate: Tomato, roasted tomato, tomato sauce, celery, garlic, olives, herbs, pizza spices, white pepper, cayenne, sweet, rich, hearty.
Finish: Tomato sauce, garlic, herbal, cardamom, salt, vinegar, oregano, Italian spices, spicy, slightly peppery, lingering heat, super thick, smooth, rich, great to mix, recommended.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Fever-Tree Classic Bloody Mary Mix



Major Peters' The Works Bloody Mary Mix
(NC)

Palate: Tomato, tomato puree, tomato paste, spicy tomato juice, tomato soup, black olives, hint of garlic, lemon, lime, flowers, hint of celery salt, black pepper, spicy, balanced piquancy and richness, clean, fresh.
Finish: Pasta sauce, garlic, celery, pepper, oregano, black pepper, nice kick, balanced, complex, versatile, nice & pleasant, flavorful, delicious.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Major Peters' The Works Bloody Mary Mix



Taste of Florida Bloody Mary Mixer
(FL)

Palate: Deep tomato flavor, tomato juice, roasted tomatoes, V-8, dried tomato, celery, celery seed, celery salt, mirepoix, herbs, balanced dill, capers, horseradish, pepper, black pepper, Tabasco sauce, smoke.
Finish: Lingering tomato, celery, roast pepper, oregano, white pepper, pepper, cayenne pepper, horseradish, malt vinegar, well balanced, classic, delicious.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Taste of Florida Bloody Mary Mixer



Rads Bloody Mary Mix
(KY)

Palate: Tomato, roasted red pepper, brown sugar, parsley, herbs, celery salt, garlic, lemon, malt vinegar, horseradish, vinegar, pickle brine, saline, pepper, black pepper forward, unusual spice blend, wood, rich.
Finish: Tomato, green pepper, lemon, horseradish, kitchen cabinet spices, black pepper, spicy, smoky, versatile, great, fantastic.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Rads  Bloody Mary Mix



Barcoop Bevy Bloody Mary
(SC)  With smoked sea salt and chiles.

Palate: Tomato, roasted tomato, roasted pepper, garlic, celery, lemon, dill pickle, vinegar, horseradish, herbs, black pepper, Mexican spices, poblano pepper, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, woody, smoke.
Finish: Tomato, crushed tomatoes, roasted red pepper, tamarind, garlic, herbs, oregano, spicy, black pepper, habanero pepper, salt, smoke, balanced, complex, super interesting, versatile, flavorful, mouthwatering, pleasant, stunning.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Barcoop Bevy Bloody Mary



Pacific Pickle Works Bloody Mary Elixer
(CA)  Blended with Sacramento Tomato Juice.

Palate: Tomato, tomato candy, honey, tamarind, roasted red pepper, herbs, garlic, dill, pickle, lime zest, lemon, cinnamon, clove, briny, salt, ocean, smoky.
Finish: Tomato, garlic, lime, cocktail sauce, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, vinegar, cayenne, hot sauce, spicy, spice builds, nice spice, briny, smoky, sweet, bright, lively, interesting.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



   Pacific Pickle Works Bloody Mary Elixer



Major Peters' Original Bloody Mary Mix
(NC)

Palate: Tomato, roasted tomato, brown sugar, celery, lemon, pickle, bread & butter pickles, horseradish, vinegar, pepper, sweet, slightly tart, smooth, wow.
Finish: Lingering tomato, horseradish, lemon, celery salt, salty, pepper, spiciness lingers, very sweet, full body, easy drinking, a good mixer, really nice, beautiful.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Major Peters' Original Bloody Mary Mix



Larry the Cable Guy Premium Bloody Larry Mix
(MN)

Palate: Tomato, sweet pepper, lemon/lime, citrus, celery, celery salt, brine, horseradish, black pepper, balanced pepper, spice, well balanced.
Finish: Bread & butter pickles, sweet, lingering spice, good spice, smoke, natural, smooth, easy drinking, really nice, great.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Larry the Cable Guy Premium Bloody Larry Mix



Mary From the Rouge Premium Bloody Mary Mix
(MI)

Palate: Nice fresh tomato, clean & beautiful tomato, tomato juice, V8, lemon, olive, basil, horseradish, spice, hint of pepper, fresh.
Finish: Tomato puree, okra, herbs, lemon water, jalapeño, pepper, nice spice, good balance, clean, natural, classic flavors.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Mary From the Rouge Premium Bloody Mary Mix



Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix
(IL)

Palate: Tomato, tomato juice, cooked tomato, lemon, garlic, parsley, dried herbs, horseradish, molasses, Tabasco sauce, brine, wasabi, pepper, spicy, smoke.
Finish: Tomato, cocktail sauce, vegetables, bitter herbs, garlic, salt, jalapeño, peppery, heat builds, nice heat, sweet, balanced, fun.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix



Texas Armadillo Juice Bloody Mary Mix
(TX)

Palate: Sweet tomato, mild tomato, red bell pepper, garlic, olive, vegetal, pickle, Worcestershire sauce, herbal, celery salt, oregano, black pepper, peppery, spicy, viscous.
Finish: Roasted tomato, salsa, peppery, lingering pepper, tabasco, Old Bay spice, good spice, saline, smoke, balanced


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Texas Armadillo Juice Bloody Mary Mix



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

River Valley Ranch Fire Roasted Bloody Mary Mix
(WI)

Palate: Tomato, roasted tomato, roasted pepper, bell pepper, carrot, celery, onion, vegetable mix, lime, horseradish, lots of herbs & spices, everything bagel, celery salt, pepper, black pepper, malt, smoky.
Finish: Tomato, V8 juice, tomato salsa, celery notes, horseradish, vinegar, lots of herbs, thyme, spices, black pepper, salt, saline, smoke, interesting, unique, fresh, nicely done.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



River Valley Ranch Fire Roasted Bloody Mary Mix



Smoke'n Magic Bold ‘n Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
(KS)

Palate: Tomato, tomato puree, brown sugar, garlic, green squash, lemon, lime, herbal, horseradish, vinegar, dill pickle juice, pepper, sweet.
Finish: Tastes like real tomatoes, sweet peppers, squash puree, citrus, horseradish, pepper, lingering spice, smoke, balanced, nice viscosity, bright, funky, classic Bloody Mary flavor, fun.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Smoke'n Magic Bold ‘n Spicy Bloody Mary Mix



Dick's Dirty Mary Mix
(CA)

Palate: Salty tomato, celery salt, olives, dill, herbs, horseradish, vinegar, pepper, black pepper, cayenne, pickles, pickle brine, saline, pine.
Finish: Black olives, pickle-y, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, pepper flake, black pepper, spicy, salty, thick, unique.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Dick's Dirty Mary Mix



Mullets Bloody Mary Mix
(IA)

Palate: Sweet tomato, cooked tomato, celery, dill, lemon/lime, black olive, horseradish, pickle brine, soy, cumin, pepper, cayenne pepper.
Finish: Tomato, dill, garlic, pickle, Worcestershire sauce, spicy, peppery, woody, well balanced, smooth, bold.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Mullets Bloody Mary Mix



Frankie’s Fine Brine Classic Bloody Mary
(NY)

Palate: Tomato, tamarind, citrus, beef bouillon broth, pureed cabbage, light Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, cinnamon, pepper, red pepper, ocean flavors, smoky.
Finish: V-8 juice, vegetal, celery, tamarind, horseradish, turmeric, Indian spices, white pepper, spicy, briny, well balanced, unusual, natural, fresh, rich, well made.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Frankie’s Fine Brine Classic Bloody Mary

 

 


 

The Bloody Mary Cocktail Story

Around 1920, émigrés escaping the Russian Revolution began arriving in Paris, bringing with them vodka and caviar. While working at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, Fernand Petiot began experimenting with the new spirit, and eventually created a mix of Russian vodka with American canned tomato juice cocktail. A new cocktail was born.

In 1934, Petiot headed up the King Cole Bar of the St. Regis Hotel in New York, where he tweaked the drink and reintroduced it as the Red Snapper. The recipe included vodka, tomato juice, salt and black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper and lemon juice. Supposedly, Petiot had wanted to call the drink the Bloody Mary, but the hotel’s owner, Vincent Astor objected, deeming it too risque for this upscale clientele. (Astor was also married to a woman named Mary). Astor’s face is that of King Cole in the mural over the bar.

Just when other bars around town began calling it the "Bloody Mary" is vague. Many rumors of the moniker’s creator abound, including Georgie Jessel, Ernest Hemingway, but none can be proven. In any case, recipes under the name Bloody Mary date in print at least to 1946. Trader Vic listed a Bloody Mary in his “Bartender’s Guide” published in 1947. The Bloody Mary proliferated in the 1950’s, with many documentations in books and magazines.

Besides with vodka, there are different variations of Bloodys: The Bloody Joseph with Scotch whisky, the Bloody Maria with tequila, the Bloody Maru with sake and others. The Red Snapper eventually became known as a Bloody with gin.

A Bloody Mary tastes better when the tomato juice retains some viscosity, so stirring is recommended over shaking. The original recipe remains essential to this day, frequently served at bars and restaurant brunches stuffed with every sort of edible you can imagine. The great thing about Bloody Mary is that she keeps reinventing herself. We have come a long way from the first popular bottled Bloody Mary cocktail mix, "Mr and Mrs T", since its introduction in 1960. Long live the Bloody Mary!

 

 

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