Weekend brunches are just BEGGING you to create the most incredible at-home Bloody Mary Bar! Invite all your friends, grab your favorite vodka, and hit the store for all kinds of fun toppings and garnishes. In no time at all you can set up an amazing DIY bloody mary bar that allows everyone to personalize their own drink.
I love setting up a DRINK STATION when entertaining at home. It gets me off the hook for playing bartender and allows the guests to help themselves.
Don't be intimidated, setting up a DIY Bloody Mary Bar in at home is actually quite simple!
Gather the ingredients, display them on a table in small bowls or jars, and let your guests do all the work!
In this post you'll find all of my best tips, tricks, and expert hostess advice on how to streamline your set-up and make hosting easy on yourself.
Invite your friends over, show them to the table, and I'm sure they'll have no problem figuring out what to do. I mean, what's not to love about a personalized Bloody Mary?!
Please know that this post is just a helpful guideline to get you on your way. Feel free to be as creative and over the top as you want!
Add some fancy garnishes, decorate your display, just have a good time and know that as long as there's booze at brunch, your friends and family won't be complaining 😉
Traditional Bloody Mary Ingredients
- Bloody Mary Mix: Make things easy on yourself and purchase a pre-made bloody mary mix! I like to use a brand called, "Mr. and Mrs. T" but if you have one you prefer, by all means use it.
- Vodka: A good quality vodka can make all the difference between a good drink and a great one. Tito's is my favorite because it's good quality but won't break the bank.
- Horseradish:
- Sriracha: To add a little kick to by drink, I love mixing in some sriracha. However, any hot sauce will do. Tabasco, Cholula, or Frank's Red Hot all work as well!
- Worcestershire sauce: Gives your cocktail that classic umami flavor we all know and love!
- Old Bay: Not a traditional ingredient, but I think it pairs well with the tomato flavor!
Toppings and Garnish Ideas
This is the time to go a little wild and have some fun! The options are virtually endless when it comes to topping your Bloody Mary, so get creative!
Here's a few popular bloody garnishes:
- Celery (A MUST! Try to grab some with leaves!)
- Asparagus
- Olives
- Cornichons
- Pepperocinis
- Lemon wedges
- Shrimp
- Bacon
- Cheese cubes
- Fresh dill or basil
Keep in mind, this list is just a guideline. You do not have to set out every garnish idea on here, or if you have other ones you'd like to add feel free!
Go fancy or stay simple, the option is totally up to you. Be sure to check out this post for some truly over the top bloody mary garnish ideas!
Assembling Your Bloody Mary Bar
1. Approx. 2 hours before your party, start setting up!
STEP ONE: Pour the bloody mary mix into a pitcher and chill in the fridge along with the vodka. You can also chill the pitcher over ice so it's all set.
STEP TWO: Prepare your garnishes, set them in little bowls, and store in the fridge until needed.
STEP THREE: Add the "extras". This includes mini skewers, toothpicks, napkins, coasters, straws, spoons, etc.
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How To Make A Bloody Mary
- Add your bloody mary mix, vodka, and any other ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake for 10-15 seconds, then pour into an ice filled glass.
- Add as many toppings as you'd like then get to sipping!
Bloody Mary Bar Variations
- Vegan: The bloody mary mix I buy is vegan to ensure it suits everyone. Most are in fact! Just don't add the Worcestershire sauce Let guests add it themselves.
- Virgin: Skip the vodka and just add your garnishes to a glass of the mix.
- Tequila: Known as a "Bloody Maria" use your favorite tequila in place of the vodka.
- Red Snapper: Also a delicious twist on the mary which uses gin instead of vodka!
- Garnishes: Add more substantial garnishes like my cheeseburger skewers or bacon wrapped pork bites!
Expert Tips For Your Best Bloody Mary Bar
- Prepare ahead of time: CHILL the bloody mary mix and vodka ahead! Cut, slice, cook and prep your garnishes, and have your bar area all clean and ready to go. That way it's easy to set up right before guests arrive.
- Don't mix: You'll see in the photos that I kept both the mix and the vodka in separate containers. That way your guests can ensure their drink is the perfect blend for them and isn't too strong.
- Make it virgin: Have some friends who don't drink? That's ok, you can drink the mix plain! They can still add any toppings they want, just exclude the vodka.
- Rim the glass: Run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and then dip it into some Old Bay seasoning
- Go all out: Get fancy with the toppings and add as many as your heart desires! Going over-the-top is encouraged in this scenario, don't be shy!
- Skewers: Keep these metal cocktail skewers on hand so that guests can add their toppings without worrying about them sinking to the bottom of the glass!
- Leftovers: Any leftover mix can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and the lid can go back on your vodka bottle. If you have leftover garnishes, keep them in separate plastic bags or containers in the fridge for a couple of days.
Bar Decor Ideas
Just like with my mimosa bar, I like to keep the decorations to a minimum.
A SIGN is the most important part of any DIY bar. It tells people what they're about to get into and can explain how to assemble their own cocktail.
A vase of fresh flowers, different serving platters with varying heights, and a simple printable sign that can be used to guide guests.
Honestly, a Bloody Mary Bar usually has quite a few elements and garnishes that you really don't want the decorations to get in the way. Keep it simple and let the food be the star of the show!
Frequently Asked Questions
A Bloody Mary bar is usually set up for a brunch get-together, so I like to include some yummy brunch food as well! You can have cut bagels with cream cheese, mini egg bites, or a smoked salmon crostini.
The idea is to keep things simple and easy on yourself, so make whatever you feel is easiest!
I like to choose an open area such as a round table or accessible counter top and fill small bowls with all my fun garnishes. Have the bloody mary mix and vodka on ice so they're nice and cold, and let your guests have fun!
Vodka is traditionally the alcohol that's combined with the bloody mary mix.
Tequila can be used, but technically that's considered a "Bloody Maria" instead.
Recommended Cocktails:
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📖 Recipe
Bloody Mary Bar
Ingredients
- 59 Ounces Bloody Mary Mix
- 750 mL Vodka (use your favorite)
- 2 pounds Bacon (cooked)
- 2-3 Stalks Celery (cleaned and trimmed)
- 15-20 Ounces Asparagus
- 2 Pounds Jumbo, cooked shrimp
- 10-12 Ounces Blue cheese stuffed olives
- 12-13 Ounces Cornichons
- 16 Ounces Pepperoncini (whole)
- 1 small bottle Prepared horseradish
- 1 small bottle Hot sauce
- 1 small bottle Worcestershire sauce
- 4 Lemons (sliced)
- Tajin seasoning
- Old Bay seasoning
- Coarse sea salt
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Instructions
- Mix Bloody Mary mix, vodka, and any hot sauce, horseradish, or Worcestershire sauce in a cocktail shaker with ice
- Shake for 15-20 seconds to really blend everything together well
- Pour your Bloody Mary over ice, top with any garnishes you desire and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Prepare ahead of time: Chill the bloody mary mix and vodka, prep your garnishes, and have your bar area all clean and ready to go. That way it's easy to set up right before guests arrive.
- Don't mix: You'll see in the photos that I kept both the mix and the vodka in separate containers. That way your guests can ensure their drink is the perfect blend for them and isn't too strong.
- Make it virgin: Have some friends who don't drink? That's ok, you can drink the mix plain! They can still add any toppings they want, just exclude the vodka.
- Rim the glass: Run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and then dip it into some Old Bay seasoning
- Go all out: Get fancy with the toppings and add as many as your heart desires! Going over-the-top is encouraged in this scenario, don't be shy!
- Skewers: Keep these metal cocktail skewers on hand so that guests can add their toppings without worrying about them sinking to the bottom of the glass!
- Leftovers: Any leftover mix can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and the lid can go back on your vodka bottle. If you have leftover garnishes, keep them in separate plastic bags or containers in the fridge for a couple of days.
- Calories: Calories calculated are for Bloody Mary only and do not include any toppings and garnishes.
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