Budget-Friendly Recipes

Bloody Mary Mix – Budget Bytes

Bloody Mary Mix – Budget Bytes

It doesn’t matter if you enjoy a good old Bloody Mary with or without some alcohol; this homemade Bloody Mary Mix recipe is for you. It’s super budget-friendly, uses a bunch of kitchen staples, and there’s enough for everybody to share! I like to utilize the whole can of tomato juice to enjoy this spicy and tangy drink. I also love pickles, so I added a splash of pickle juice to the mix to enhance all the flavors. This easy version blows any store-bought mix out of the water, and you can tweak the flavor and spice level exactly how you like it!

Side view of a homemade bloody mary in a glass with garnishes.
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Easy Recipe for Bloody Mary Mix

A Bloody Mary is a savory drink made with tomato juice, vodka (if you want), and a punchy mix of spices and sauces. It’s believed to have originated in the 1920s or ’30s, and over the years, it’s turned into a build-your-own kind of drink with endless garnish options. The tomatoes add a touch of sweetness, the lemon juice has a bright citrus bite, and the hot sauce and horseradish give it that warm, spicy build-up that I love! Pour this homemade mocktail mix over ice, load it up with your favorite garnishes, and you’ve got a brunch favorite that never disappoints.


Bloody Mary Mix Recipe

This homemade Bloody Mary Mix recipe uses canned tomato juice and pantry staples for a bold, tangy drink that’s easy to customize and perfect for brunch.Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Side view of a homemade bloody mary in a glass with garnishes.Side view of a homemade bloody mary in a glass with garnishes.

  • 46 oz can tomato juice ($2.96)
  • ½ cup prepared horseradish ($1.42*)
  • ½ cup lemon juice ($0.50**)
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce ($0.22)
  • 2 Tbsp hot sauce ($0.19*)
  • ¼ cup dill pickle juice ($0.14)
  • 2 tsp celery salt ($0.14)
  • 2 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, $0.32*)
  • 1 tsp salt ($0.04)

  • Gather and measure all ingredients.

  • Using a medium-sized bowl, add all ingredients and whisk to combine.

  • Use right away or refrigerate in a bottle. Make sure to stir or shake up before using.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.


*You can make it more or less spicy if desired by adjusting the horseradish, hot sauce, and/or pepper. I used Frank’s Red-Hot Sauce, but feel free to use what you have on hand. And if you’re struggling to find the prepared horseradish, I found it stored in the refrigerator section at Walmart but on dry goods shelves at Kroger’s.
**I used bottled lemon juice, but you can use fresh, too. It’ll take about 3 lemons to get ½ cup of lemon juice, depending on size.

Serving: 1serving (5 oz)Calories: 32kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSodium: 840mgFiber: 1g

Read our full
nutrition disclaimer here.

how to make Bloody Mary Mix step-by-step photos

The ingredients to make a homemade bloody mary mix.The ingredients to make a homemade bloody mary mix.

Gather all of your ingredients.

Bloody mary mix ingredients in a bowl.Bloody mary mix ingredients in a bowl.

Combine the ingredients: Add 46 oz. can of tomato juice, ½ cup prepared horseradish, ½ cup lemon juice, ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce, 2 Tbsp hot sauce, ¼ cup dill pickle juice, 2 tsp celery salt, 2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp salt to a medium-sized bowl.

Finished homemade bloody mary mix in a bowl.Finished homemade bloody mary mix in a bowl.

Mix until well combined, and serve! This homemade Bloody Mary mix is ready to use right away or can be stored in the fridge in a bottle. Give it a good shake or mix before using.

Two hands clinking together a glass of bloody mary each.Two hands clinking together a glass of bloody mary each.

If you want to enjoy an alcoholic Bloody Mary, I recommend 5 oz. of this homemade Bloody Mary mix with one airplane bottle of vodka, served over ice. (One airplane bottle was $0.99 last time I checked!) One airplane bottle of vodka contains about 1.7 oz (50ml) for reference.

Garnish Ideas!

Once you’ve got your Bloody Mary mix made to your liking, you can add just about any garnishes you like! I’ve seen some wild ones over the years…think mini grilled cheese or whole-fried pickles! If you’re having a party or gathering this summer, consider making a Bloody Mary bar so everyone can customize their own drink using garnishes that suit your budget. Use cocktail sticks to skewer smaller garnishes to keep things easy to grab.

Personally, I like a little combo of crunchy, spicy, and salty, so here are some of my go-to garnish ideas:

Storage Instructions

This Bloody Mary mix made with canned tomatoes will keep for about 5-7 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container like a glass bottle with a lid. Some of the ingredients may settle at the bottom of the bottle during storage, so I like to shake it up or mix it before serving.

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