9 Best Bloody Mary Mixes for Bold, Balanced Flavor

Published November 4, 2021
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Variety of Bloody Mary mixes

Bloody Mary mix should be able to hold its own, but without dominating your drink. Bold but subtle, it should vividly elegant and memorable without reminding you of pasta sauce. I took the time to wade through a sea of mixes, some familiar and some unexpected discoveries, to find the ones that don't leave you wishing for more flavor or wishing you weren't stuck sipping vodka and spaghetti sauce at brunch. Some are bolder and spicier than others, but there's something for everyone in my round-up of best Bloody Mary mixes.

Top Picks for Your Next Bloody Mary Mix


Most Well Rounded:
McClure's Bloody Mary Mix

The best pick for those that want a mix that has everything and more.
Read more.

Best Traditional Mix:
SuckerPunch Original Blend Bloody Mary Mix

The best of the traditional mixes.
Read more.

Best for Traveling :
Demitri's Bloody Mary Seasoning

Best pick for those who don't want to look after a giant bottle.
Read more.

Most Unexpected:
Miss Mary's Bloody Mary Morning Elixir

A mix that's short on ingredients but not flavor.
Read more.

Best of the Spiciest:
5 Pepper Bloody Mary Mixer

The spiciest of spicy.
Read more.

Bold but Mild Heat:
Major Peters' The Works Bloody Mary Mix

For those who want heat without fire.
Read more.

Best for Mixing with Flavored Vodkas:
Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix

Neutral flavors means a great base for mixing with flavored vodkas or other spirits
Read more.

Most Unique:
Old Bay Bloody Mary Mix

A unique spice blend that breaks the rules.
Read more.

Best for a Crowd:
Mr & Mrs T Original Bloody Mary Mix

A clean, approachable taste.
Read more.
mcclure-s.jpg

mcclure-s.jpg

The McClure's Bloody Mary mix left me silent for nearly 30-seconds. I was swept off my feet and completely smitten. I love pickles, but I tempered my expectations, only to be completely surprised in the best way. It's great on it's own or mixed like a traditional Bloody Mary.

The only downfall to this is the jar...you have to pour aggressively to avoid losing any of this liquid gold. It is on the thicker side compared to some, and it is loaded with flavors.

Skip the pickle garnish and go straight for this bottle.  
5/5
Our rating
tested by lovetoknow
What We Like
Pickle forward
Garlic undertones
Sweet yet savory
What We Don't
Can be difficult to pour
Could be too thick for some
Some may not want a pickle-heavy mix
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demitri-s.jpg

demitri-s.jpg

The concentrated formula of the Demitri's Bloody Mary Seasoning is brilliant. Like the cold brew that comes in a compact bottle, the bottle is 8 ounces but packs a whopping 32 servings of Bloody Marys.

It has a nice spice flavor at the end, with herbs packed into the first sip. The beauty of this is you can use any base since it does require to be mixed with tomato juice. It's a bold mix in a tiny package, which is great if you don't want to take up a ton of space in the refrigerator with an entire bottle of mix. Their website also offers incredibly unique garnishes, including pepperoni straws (a brilliant way of going green AND being a garnish) as well as flavored rims including bacon. They've brought the Bloody Mary to you, but in minimal packaging.

Tiny, bold, great for traveling or catering to several different palettes.  
4.5/5
Our rating
tested by lovetoknow
What We Like
Can easily customize how much or little flavor
Tiny size that doesn't take up much space
What We Don't
Requires tomato juice
Spicy taste may not be enjoyed by some
zing-zang.jpg

zing-zang.jpg

The Zing Zang Bloody Mary mix has a neutral yet bold taste. It doesn't sway any particular way, it's not overly sweet, and it's neither thick nor thin. It's perfectly neutral, which is great for mixing. It lends itself to the option of using flavored vodkas or other spirits such as tequila or bourbon, without being overpowering.

The neutral palette addressed, it does have a great vegetable flavor with the horseradish and Worcestershire shining through just a touch, giving a lite pepper finish. Zing Zang also offers an appealing pre-mixed canned Bloody Mary mix that's not to miss.

A neutral yet bold flavor, it's easily mixed with a range of flavors or spirits. 
3.75/5
Our rating
tested by lovetoknow
What We Like
Neutral
Gently spicy
Strong vegetable flavor
What We Don't
Might not have enough kick for some
Same may want a thicker mix
suckerpunch.jpg

suckerpunch.jpg

SuckerPunch Original Bloody Mary mix doesn't disappoint. It has a light pickle flavor with some outstanding notes of garlic for a subtle, almost understated flavor without overpowering the mix.

It's a thicker mix and not quite like a normal Bloody Mary mix, but that's what sets it apart. It's crisp and refreshing and doesn't just taste like tomato juice. It's a well-made recipe that doesn't lack anything.

A bold, garlicky Bloody Mary mix that wants for nothing. 
4.9/5
Our rating
tested by lovetoknow
What We Like
Subtle pickle and garlic flavors
Smooth, not too thick
Crisp and refreshing
What We Don't
Some may not like the garlic notes
May want some more horseradish or black pepper flavors
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5-pepper.jpg

5-pepper.jpg

The 5 Pepper Bloody Mary isn't for the faint of heart. It packs the spice with jalapeños, poblanos, and red bell peppers to name a few. It isn't shy about the heat, but it's a hearty mix that still has a strong tomato flavor.

The heat isn't fully apparent prior to the first sip, because the mix almost smells citrusy, completely deceiving you about the heat about to fire you up. I wasn't ready, but I kept going back for more.

A spicy yet tomato-hearty mix that'll satisfy any heat-seeker.  
4.1/5
Our rating
tested by lovetoknow
What We Like
Spicy, spicy, spicy!
Bold but smooth
What We Don't
Can definitely be too spicy for the average person
major-peters.jpg

major-peters.jpg

The Major Peters Bloody Mary mix packs the heat but without making you chug water between sips. It's a peppery blend that's still, somehow, tomato and herb forward. Heat should be more than just spice, so its flavor is a great bonus. The horseradish makes itself known without being too potent.

It's a zesty mix that would pair well with just about any spirit and a great bottle to keep on hand.

A varied-spicy mix without being overwhelming. 
4.2/5
Our rating
tested by lovetoknow
What We Like
An ideal amount of spice
Not overly sweet
Horseradish forward
What We Don't
Could still be too spicy for some
Heavy tomato flavors
mr-mrs-t.jpg

mr-mrs-t.jpg

Mr & Mrs T Bloody Mary mix is an incredibly neutral and easy-going mix. It packs a walloping celery and vegetable flavor, giving it a clean, crisp taste. This mix could easily go with just about any spirit if you wanted to doctor your mix and try out a Red Snapper, Bloody Maria, or Bloody Caesar with a few personal spins.

Neutral and clean, this mix is great to play with and customize.  
3.75/5
Our rating
tested by lovetoknow
What We Like
Neutral, approachable flavors
Great for using as a base to add own flavors
Can mix with spirits other than vodka
What We Don't
Might be lacking in flavor for some
On the thinner side, not as hearty as others
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miss-mary-s.jpg

miss-mary-s.jpg

Miss Mary's Bloody Mary mix is allergy-friendly without leaving you wishing for more flavor. At first glance, it looks as though it's diluted or thin, but it has bold, great flavor. It doesn't use tomato paste, so it's almost pink but don't let that fool you.

It doesn't have an overwhelming tomato flavor but other notes, herbs and spices, shine through spectacularly. It's super smooth and doesn't leave you full the way other mixes can.

Light in color but not in flavor, Miss Mary's is a hit.  
4.63/5
Our rating
tested by lovetoknow
What We Like
Not as heavy as others
Smooth
Gluten free
What We Don't
Some may want for more tomato flavor
old-bay.jpg

old-bay.jpg

The most unique of the top Bloody Mary mixes, the Old Bay mix doesn't disappoint on the flavors. It's pungent on the nose with a pronounced black pepper finish. It's still a smooth flavor, however.

Since it is Old Bay forward, the paprika adds some heat, but that's what sets it apart from its counterparts. The unusual flavor combination is well worth trying.

An unusual spin on the traditional Bloody Mary spices, Old Bay is a fun take. 
4.05/5
Our rating
tested by lovetoknow
What We Like
Incredibly different
Great for those who want something new
A clean, spicy finish
What We Don't
Some may want a more conventional mix
The black pepper is lingering

A Bloody Mary mix is a highly personal choice for people who love tomato cocktails, what works for some (garlic, lots of herbs) doesn't necessarily work for another (mild, but a bold tomato flavor). While some may have missed the mark personally or not be my next go-to, they could be your new favorite mix.

9 Best Bloody Mary Mixes for Bold, Balanced Flavor