Want a Bloody Mary with even more flavor? Then try this Bourbon Bloody Mary with Bacon! Made with all the classics, plus barbeque sauce (yep you read that correctly), and perfectly crisp bacon for a savory spin on your Sunday brunch classic.
I have Italian running through my blood, so I know my way around a tomato, which basically makes me a Bloody Mary expert. Seriously though, vodka is a great standby for this classic hangover cocktail, but bourbon really livens it up. I mean there's no street in New Orleans named Vodka Street, am I right?
This bourbon Bloody Mary goes by a few other names (Bloody Derby, Shotgun Bloody, and Bloody Marianne), but I like to call it what it is. A delicious explosion of flavor, that just can't compete with vodka. Bourbon has a wide range of notes including oak and caramel, making it a superior spirit to use in this brunch staple.
I added barbeque sauce to give this bourbon Bloody Mary more of a punch, and boy does it work. It also compliments that perfectly cooked bacon strip that you'll use as garnish. Lastly, the glass is topped off with a smoky, salty rim which adds an elegant touch.
Jump to:
Ingredient notes
Read below to see how I make the Bourbon Bloody Mary mix. It's completely customizable, so feel free to add a little more (or less) of an ingredient to suit your taste.
- Bacon - Use thick-cut bacon for best results.
- Tomato juice- Since tomato juice is the star of the show here, opt for good quality if you can. If not, the old standards work just fine. I like Sacramento, Pomi, or Knudsen brands. I've also found several craft tomato juices in my local market that work well.
- Pickle juice-From a jar of dill pickles.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Prepared horseradish- NOT horseradish sauce or cream.
- Celery salt
- Hot sauce- Such as Tabasco.
- Barbeque sauce- I used plain barbeque sauce from Stubb's, but you can get creative here. Try a bourbon-flavored sauce, or since peaches go well with bourbon, look for a peach BBQ sauce.
- Bourbon- Do not use your best bourbon here. Save that for sipping!
- Celery for garnish- Classic garnish adds a pop of color against the red.
- Smoked paprika- I make a rim salt with this and some celery salt.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
To make a batch of bourbon Bloody Marys, you'll need a pitcher, some tall glasses, or Mason jars for serving.
Step-by-step instructions
Anyone can whip up a batch of Bloody Mary mix. When ready to serve, add the bourbon, and sip your worries away.
Preheat the oven to 400℉. Line a baking sheet with foil. Lay the bacon in a single layer, and bake for 18-22 minutes until cooked. Set aside to cool.
In a medium pitcher, add the tomato juice.
Next add the pickle juice, celery salt, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and BBQ sauce.
Give the mix a good stir with a cocktail stirrer or wooden spoon. Chill the mixture in the fridge until ready to use.
👩🍳Pro tip
Chill your glasses in the fridge with the prepared salt rim ahead of time. Take them out right before you are ready to serve.
Substitutions and variations
- Bloody Mary mix- Yes, go ahead and cheat and buy your Bloody Mary mix. No judgment here. I would still add the barbeque sauce to it though to give it more flavor.
- Mix up the ingredients- Customize your homemade mix with more or less of any of the ingredients to taste. In addition, you can add lime or lemon juice.
- Garnishes galore- Top your cocktail with anything from cooked shrimp to pickles, olives, or jalapeno. Savory toppings shine in Bloody Marys.
Storage and make-ahead
Store the Bloody Mary mix in the fridge for up to 10 days. Making the mix ahead is ideal for hosting, and it allows the flavors to come together. The mix can easily be multiplied as needed.
Food pairings
There are so many options here on the blog for pairing the perfect meal with your bourbon Bloody Mary (it's a brunch blog after all!). Think savory dishes, especially eggs, frittatas, quiches, or hearty sandwiches like this Kielbasa Reuben.
Since peaches pair so well with bourbon, try pairing this cocktail with my peach caprese salad or peach and prosciutto panini. The salty, sweet combo is amazing!
FAQ
If you're not feeling the bacon, stick to a simple olive garnish, or a few cherry tomatoes on a cocktail pick. For an indulgent twist try beef jerky, salty prosciutto, or cooked shrimp.
Related recipes
Bacon and bourbon- a match made in heaven.
Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating with a comment right below the recipe card. If you snap a photo of your creation, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter.
📖Recipe
Bourbon Bloody Mary with Bacon
Equipment
- baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for the bacon
- pitcher
- tall glasses or Mason jars for serving
Ingredients
Bacon Garnish
- 4-6 slices thick-cut bacon
For the Bloody Mary
- 3 cups (24 ounces) tomato juice
- celery salt, plus ...for th rim
- 3 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon barbeque sauce
- ¼ cup (2 ounces) dill pickle juice (from a jar of pickles)
- 3 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce such as Tabasco
- bourbon
- celery for garnish
- lime wedge for garnish
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika mixed with ½ teaspoon celery salt for glasses for the rim
Instructions
Make the Bacon
- Preheat the oven to 400℉. Line a baking sheet with foil. Lay the bacon in a single layer, and bake for 18-22 minutes until cooked. Set aside to cool.4-6 slices thick-cut bacon
For the Bloody Mary
- In a large pitcher, combine the tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, barbeque sauce, pickle juice, horseradish, hot sauce, and celery salt. Whisk to combine. Place in the fridge until ready to serve.3 cups (24 ounces) tomato juice, celery salt, plus ...for th rim, 3 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoon barbeque sauce, ¼ cup (2 ounces) dill pickle juice (from a jar of pickles), 3 teaspoon prepared horseradish, 1 tablespoon hot sauce such as Tabasco
- When ready to serve, take your glass and gently squeeze the lime along the rim to moisten it. Roll the glass in the spice mix, making sure to coat the entire rim. Fill the rimmed glass with ice. Add 3 parts Bloody Mary mix, to 1 part bourbon (for example: 6 ounces mix and 2 ounces bourbon). This is a suggested serving, however you can adjust it to your preference.bourbon, lime wedge for garnish, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika mixed with ½ teaspoon celery salt for glasses
- Garnish with a slice of bacon and a celery rib.celery for garnish
Notes
- Store the Bloody Mary mix in the fridge for up to 10 days (minus the bourbon). Making the mix ahead is ideal for hosting, and it allows the flavors to come together. The mix can easily be multiplied as needed.
Nutrition*
*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.
Patricia Margeaux says
This is so delicious! Like really delicious. Love the bourbon twist and wow barbecue sauce??? I couldn't imagine but it gives it a perfect smoky edge. I'm going to make this for the superbowl for sure! Thank you so much for another great idea.
jane says
Made this for a brunch with both a vodka version and the bourbon version. My husband loved the bourbon version and the bacon was a great touch!