When it comes to before-noon imbibing, Bloody Marys are our cocktail of choice, thanks to their fiery color, zippy flavor and surprising substantiality. But the best part? They’re totally customizable, whether you enjoy them mild or spicy, traditional or fully loaded, subtle or strong.
This ability to be tailored makes the Bloody Mary the perfect adult beverage to put on your brunch menu, so guests can fill their glass to their liking. For a truly unforgettable Bloody Mary bar, follow these three simple steps.
(Now that we think about it, all of these breakfast drinks are delish.)
Mix It Up
There might be a number of pre-made Bloody Mary mixes on the market, but we’re all for a from-scratch cocktail. For a mild base, you can’t go wrong this classic Bloody Mary recipe, which combines tomato, lime and lemon juices, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, a tasty blend of seasonings and, of course, that must-have splash of hot sauce.
Once your tomato-juice mixture is squared away, you’re finished for the time being. Excluding vodka will allow partygoers to top off their drinks with as much—or as little—booze as they desire. Plus, if you’re feeling extra crafty, you’ll want to serve some homemade bacon-, jalapeno- or pickle-infused vodka, which will prompt yet another decision for people to make for themselves.
And because not all brunchers prefer the same level of spiciness, we recommend offering a selection of hot sauces (find out our taste test winners) so your guests can doctor up their concoctions how they want.
Check out our favorite Sriracha recipes.
Garnish Galore
Now, the fun part. One of the best-loved Bloody Mary perks is that, if done right, they’re essentially an entire meal packed into (and on top of) a single glass. Include classic garnishes, like celery and pickles, but also impress friends with more outrageous options such as shrimp, olives, cheeses, tomatoes, pickles, jalapeno slices and bacon.
To really wow guests—and satisfy big eaters, set out a plate of sliders (like one of these delicious bite-sized sandwich recipes) to skewer and place atop your sippers. Or, to bring the booziness up a notch, offer a Wisconsin-style Bloody, which includes a small glass of light beer to enjoy as a chaser.
Set the Bar…High
All your ingredients are ready for devouring, but a fun yet functional display is what takes a Bloody Mary bar from good to great. As with most buffets, you’ll want your glasses, ice and straws on one end and the rest of the fixings following in sequential order: salt for rims, Bloody Mary mix, alcohol, hot sauce and other flavorings, and the garnishes. (Don’t forget the skewers! Either metal or soaked wooden ones will work.)
To make things more straightforward for your guests, consider setting out a letter board (like this one!) with simple instructions. Lastly, spice up your set-up with decorative dishes (we’re obsessed with this super-clever pitcher) and cute utensils for a can’t-be-beat bar. Cheers to that!
Next up: Bloggers’ top brunch secrets.
Now Follow It up with One of These Brunch Favorites
Open-Faced Prosciutto and Egg SandwichWe love breakfast at any time of the day in my house. I came up with this healthy egg sandwich as something new for brinner (aka breakfast for dinner), but they’re fabulous no matter when you serve them. —Casey Galloway, Columbia, Missouri
Oat WafflesThese family favorites have more fiber and less fat than standard waffles. My 2 year-old daughter loves them with fresh berries. —Karen Hayes, Danville, Virginia
These would look great on your next
breakfast charcuterie board!
Breakfast Egg MuffinsAfter enjoying scrambled egg muffins at a local restaurant, I came up with this breakfast egg muffins recipe that my husband likes even better. They're pretty, hearty and fun to serve, too. —Cathy Larkins, Marshfield, Missouri
Easy GranolaThe fiber-rich oats in this easy granola recipe will quell your cravings with just a small serving. Keep some handy in a small airtight container for moments when your stomach takes over. For even longer-lasting fullness, pair the treat with protein-packed yogurt.
Ham & Egg PocketsRefrigerated crescent roll dough make these savory breakfast pockets a snap to prepare. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Winter Fruit SaladThe bright colors in this winter fruit salad will perk up your morning. This is such a wonderful & easy dish to make for get-togethers.—Laura Brodine, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Savory Dutch BabyThis savory
Dutch baby pancake delivers comfort and flavor, and it brings a smile. It’s the perfect vehicle for using up little bits of leftovers, as long as they are fully cooked and heated in the bottom of the skillet prior to adding the batter and cheese. —Susan Anderson, Helena, Montana
Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight OatsThis yummy breakfast bowl gives everyone's favorite sandwich a healthy twist. Switch to crunchy peanut butter and sprinkle chopped peanuts over the top if you like the extra crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Scrambled Eggs with VegetablesI like to have friends and family over for a special Sunday brunch, especially when there's a "big game" on television. Scrambled eggs with vegetables goes perfectly with sausage, toasted English muffins and fresh fruit. —Marilyn Ipson, Rogers, Arkansas
White Chocolate Raspberry PancakesWe grow berries in the summer, and I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate them into our meals. I created these white chocolate raspberry pancakes on a whim, and my husband thought they were great! Semisweet chocolate chips can easily be substituted for the white baking chips. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Lime Coconut Smoothie BowlThis Key lime and coconut smoothie bowl is the most refreshing thing on the planet! —Madeline Butler, Denver, Colorado
Bubble and SqueakEach year at Christmas, I make sure I have leftovers to make this bubble and squeak on Boxing Day. I like to serve it with cold turkey and salad. This version can be made any time of year, and it's also good served at brunch with sausages. I find it helpful to use an ice cream scoop to divide the potato mixture into portions before flattening them. —Tanya Aggett, Toronto, Ontario
Breakfast ParfaitsThe combination of pineapple, raspberries and banana in these yogurt treats makes a bright and cheerful morning breakfast.
Cheddar Hash Brown OmeletMy husband loves it when I make crescent rolls to go with this easy family favorite. —Betty Kleberger, Florissant, Missouri
Baked Blueberry PancakeFor a quick breakfast, Norna makes the pancake while fixing supper the night before, then cuts it into squares. The next morning, she tops them with butter and syrup before placing them in the microwave. This innovative way to make pancakes takes most of the fuss out of making breakfast. Norna Detig - Lindenwood, Illinois
Egg Spinach Strata RecipeThis egg spinach strata recipe is one of my favorite things to make for Mother's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas morning! It's a wonderful savory dish that incorporates elements of the cuisine I grew up enjoying. Plus, you can prepare it the night before and just throw it in the oven in the morning. —Danielle Pfanstiehl, Andover, Connecticut
Strawberry Cheesecake PancakesMore of a dessert than breakfast food, these luscious pancakes really know how to showcase the darlings of summertime—strawberries! The pancakes, sauce and cream cheese filling all feature fresh ripe berries. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
Crescent Egg Bake with Hollandaise SauceWhat's better than eggs mixed with bacon and cheese over a fluffy crust and topped with hollandaise sauce? You can also use egg whites instead of yolks if you like. —Gidget Gorgone, Mableton, Georgia
Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and EggsHash browns make a fabulous crust for these individual egg quiches. They look fancy yet they're easy to make. They've been a hit at holiday brunches and other special occasions.—Kate Meyer, Brentwood, Tennessee
Prosciutto Egg PaniniWith mustard, maple syrup, prosciutto and eggs, this is a yummy twist on the usual bacon-and-egg sandwich. Your family will agree that this is one breakfast worth waking up for! —Erin Renouf Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah
Raspberry French Toast CupsThese individual treats are a delightful twist on French toast that make any morning special. “I made this recipe for my mom last Mother’s Day, and we both enjoyed it,” says Sandi Tuttle of Hayward, Wisconsin.
Italian Baked Eggs & SausageThis isn't your typical egg bake! I serve this robust casserole of eggs, Italian sausage and fire-roasted tomatoes in bowls with warm, crusty rolls spread with butter. —Shelly Bevington-Fisher, Hermiston, Oregon
Orange Dream Pull-Apart BreadMy baking therapy is to make treats for friends and co-workers. This pull-apart bread makes everyone smile as they face a busy day. —Vickie Friday Martin, Scroggins, Texas
Asparagus, Bacon & Shallot TartMy tart is adapted from my mom's quiche recipe. She lives thousands of miles away from me in the U.K., so whenever I make it, happy memories of home come flooding back. —Paula Nolan, Granite Bay, California
Fiesta Breakfast BakeI get a kick out of making breakfast for a crowd when I have weekend guests, and my family also loves breakfast for dinner. I created this dish by combining my family's favorite southwestern flavors in an all-in-one-pan recipe.—Whitney Gilbert, Smithville, Missouri
Yankee RancherosAfter my in-laws began affectionately referring to me as a Yankee, I decided I had to learn to make some Mexican dishes. These are super easy and make my Tex-Mex-loving family happy—even if they do come from a Northerner!. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
Breakfast BurgerMy husband is big on eggs and bacon, so I wanted to merge his breakfast favorites with a grilled burger for an over-the-top treat. Topping it with my homemade blackberry jam sealed the deal. —Tina Janssen, Walworth, Wisconsin
Hearty Slow-Cooker Breakfast HashThis sweet and savory hash certainly won't leave you hungry—the sausage, veggies and eggs will fill you up. The hint of maple syrup makes it all feel extra cozy. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Rise and Shine ParfaitStart your day with a smile. This fruit, yogurt and granola parfait is so easy to make. If you like, use whatever favorite fresh fruits are in season and are looking best at the supermarket. —Diana Laskaris, Chicago, Illinois
Chorizo Egg CasseroleGrowing up on chorizo and egg burritos, I decided it was time for a remake. In the morning when I make coffee, I pop this in the oven and an hour later, breakfast is ready! —Relina Shirley, Reno, Nevada
Strawberry Apple ParfaitI know I can always feel good about eating this healthy parfait for dessert! I enjoy the extra kick of cinnamon stirred in with the vanilla yogurt before layering.—Jennifer Warner, Huntertown, Indiana
Breakfast Burrito CasseroleA friend gave me this burrito casserole recipe and I modified it to fit our family. It's perfect for a brunch, because you can prep it the night before and bake it the next morning. —Krista Yoder, Due West, South Carolina
Creamy Pesto 'n Bacon Eggs BenedictOne of my favorite brunch dishes is eggs Benedict. While I adore the traditional version, I also have fun using other flavors. This is my Italian take using a semi-homemade creamy pesto sauce.—Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Hawaiian HashI like the combination of ginger, pineapple and macadamia nuts. This dish brings back memories of an island vacation.—Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Triple-Sausage Breakfast BakeThis over-the-top breakfast has great flavors—smoky, sweet and spicy. It's a really meaty meal. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Spiced Blueberry QuinoaI took up eating quinoa when I found out how much protein it has. This is really an easy dish to experiment with; my first version of the recipe was made with shredded apples instead of blueberries. It's just as delicious! —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Stuffed Ham & Egg BreadMy son, Gus, is a lover of all things ham-and-eggs, so I created this comforting stuffed bread with him in mind. I later added tomatoes to the recipe, and he still gives it a big thumbs-up. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, TX
Mediterranean Veggie Brunch PuffI make breakfast casseroles with whatever I have, like spinach, sweet red pepper and cheddar. With this puff, we like a burst of flavor from Greek vinaigrette. —Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio
Fresh Strawberry Breakfast TacosWhen our son was growing up, this was one of his favorite breakfasts. I've used low-fat ingredients in the past with good results, too.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Sunrise Sausage EnchiladasThese delicious enchiladas are equally good made with cubed ham. Prepare ahead, refrigerate and bake when ready for a convenient breakfast twist. —Deb LeBlanc, Phillipsburg, Kansas
Hash Brown Pancakes with Smoked Salmon & Dill CreamOn weekends when I was growing up, pancakees, salmon and bagels were our brunch staples. Now, I combine the concepts and use whipped cream instead of cream cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Mushroom & Spinach Eggs BenedictThere are so many ways to experiment with eggs Benedict, and this is my favorite version. The earthy flavors of mushroom and spinach blend beautifully in this new twist on an old classic. —Elizabeth Dumont, Madison, Mississippi
Breakfast Sweet PotatoesBaked sweet potatoes aren't just for dinner anymore. Top them with breakfast favorites to power up your morning. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Creamy Strawberry French Toast BakeOn Sunday mornings I like to take it easy, but I also want my family to have a nice breakfast. This recipe allows me to sleep in but still feel as if I'm a fabulous mom. Win! —Alynn Hansen, Mona, Utah
Mozzarella & Spinach Breakfast CasseroleSun-dried tomatoes and sausage add lots of texture and flavor to this gooey casserole. We've even enjoyed it reheated after a night game at our local college. It's always a winner in my book. —Nancy Murphy, Mount Dora, Florida
Whole Grain Banana PancakesMy kids love homemade banana bread, so why not make it in pancake form? These freeze well for a special breakfast any day. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa
Arugula & Mushroom Breakfast PizzaIt's a challenge to be creative with breakfast every morning, and I like to come up with fun foods the kids will love. This is a great recipe for the kids to join in and help make for breakfast. You can also make and freeze it before you add the eggs, then finish baking another day. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Richard's Breakfast BarsMy chewy fiber bars with a complex taste are extremely addictive. For clean slices, spray a pizza cutter with cooking spray before cutting.—Richard Cole, Richmond, Texas
Churro French ToastThe churro stand is always the first stop my family makes at the county fair. This is an easy way to enjoy the cinnamon-sugar goodness at home.—Kelly Silvers, Edmond, Oklahoma
Pressure-Cooker Pot Roast HashI love to cook a Sunday-style pot roast for weeknights. Make it into pot roast hash for any day of the week. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York
Slow-Cooked Breakfast Apple CobblerThis is a fabulous recipe to serve on Christmas or any other cold morning. The apples can be peeled if preferred. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Chili & Cheese Crustless QuicheThis filling Tex-Mex egg casserole is perfect for any meal of the day. I add a salad and dinner is on! —Gail Watkins, Norwalk, Califiornia
Apple-Cranberry Breakfast RisottoCranberries and apples are tart enough to balance the sweetness in this hearty dish that's fun for an after-presents breakfast on Christmas morning. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Slow-Cooker Frittata ProvencalThis recipe means that a delectable dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The meatless slow-cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekend mornings. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Spinach-Egg Breakfast PizzasI like my food pretty, and this breakfast pizza is eye-popping. Bring it to the table with a bowl of berries or grapes and café au lait. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Southwestern Breakfast Slow-Cooker CasseroleI created this recipe for a breakfast-for-dinner meal one day, and now it’s become a favorite on chilly mornings. Such a wonderful aroma! Using extra-sharp cheddar cheese instead of the milder types allows you to use less, while giving you an extra boost of flavor. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
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