10 Best Bloody Mary Mixes for Bar-Worthy Bloodies

Unlike a lot of other cocktail mixes, like Margarita mix or Hurricane mix, the best Bloody Mary mix isn’t just useful because it’s easier than making a drink from scratch, it actually results in a better cocktail. Yes, Bloody Marys made with Bloody Mary mixer are better than from-scratch Bloody Marys made with tomato juice and spices. (Unless, of course, you’re a bartender who really knows what you’re doing.) But you can just use any of the Bloody Mary mix brands out there. Only the best Bloody Mary mixes will do. 

Lucky for you, I am a real Bloody Mary enthusiast. So, I gladly took up the task of trying a bunch of Bloody Mary mixes over the course of two separate taste tests. And I found the top ten mixes out there. 

My love affair with Bloody Marys started out when I was very young. Wanting to be like my grandfather, I ordered Bloody Mary mix on a plane. And I liked it. A lot. I’ve always had more of a savory tooth than a sweet tooth, so  I’ve been a Bloody Mary devotee ever since. I still drink virgin Bloodies on planes but I also indulge in the adult versions spiked with classic vodka, smoky mezcal, herbaceous gin—I’ve even had a bourbon Bloody or two in my time. So, I felt particularly prepared for this assignment and excited to find my new favorite mix. 

Here’s what I’m looking for in the best Bloody Mary mix: It should be savory and zesty but balanced. It needs to have some body but shouldn’t be too thick—I don’t want to drink gazpacho. And it should have a touch of spice (or a lot of spice, if it says it’s a spicy Bloody Mary mix). Here are ten Bloody Mary mixes that are so good, you’ll look forward to your next hangover. 

Best for Pickle Lovers

McClure’s Bloody Mary Mixer

Amazon

You’ll see this uber-trendy brand at the top of many lists. It definitely is good. It’s tangy, spicy, and very, very briny. It’s great if you love pickles—like, really, really love pickles—but if you don’t regularly take pickleback shots or swigs out of the pickle jar in your fridge, then this one might be a little too much for you. For pickle lovers, though, it’s a dream come true. Skip the vodka and pair this mix with a boldly flavored spirit like bourbon or even a blended scotch. Garnish it with bacon. Go all out with big flavors. Just be careful when you’re pouring—the jar makes spillage almost unavoidable.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

6.5/10

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Best with Shrimp

Old Bay Bloody Mary Mix

Amazon

If you love Old Bay, then you will love this Bloody Mary mix. Why? It tastes like a bucket of peel-and-eat shrimp coated in tons of Old Bay. Yum. If you don’t like Old Bay, you shouldn’t bother with it. There’s a sneaky heat that creeps into your throat and warms your cheeks. But it won’t stop you from coming back for another sip. Obviously, this mix begs to be garnished with a steamed or poached shrimp. But it would also be great in an oyster shooter. Note: Make sure you shake this Bloody Mary mix up—there’s lots of good spice mix hanging out at the bottom.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Zesty

Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix

Walmart

Target

I love any bottle that advertises how light (as in, not heavy) it is. That brand understands a person’s energy level on a weekend morning. And I also love how the name so aptly describes the flavor of this mix. It is, indeed, both zingy and zangy. It’s heavy on the vinegar, celery, and pepper. It hits you in the chest with its zingy-ness and it gets your mouth watering with its zangy-ness. If you’re looking for bright and zesty and tangy, this is the best Bloody Mary mix for you.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

7/10

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Best with a Big Garnish

Master of Mixes Loaded Bloody Mary Mixer

Instacart

If you like to really load up your Bloody Mary with tons of celery, green olives, banana peppers, and pretty much whatever produce you have kicking around in the crisper, then this is the best Bloody Mary mix for you. It tastes fresh, like it’s made with juicy tomatoes as well as some other vegetables—certainly celery. It’s bright and just a little spicy thanks to some horseradish. It’s a garden Bloody Mary. What’s a garden Bloody Mary? You’ll have to try it and find out.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best Spicy

Cutwater Spicy Bloody Mary Cocktail Mix

Instacart

Cutwater’s canned Bloody Marys have been a camping staple for me and my husband since they premiered on the market, so I came to this mix with high expectations. They were (mostly) met. It’s a surprisingly zesty, lemony mix with long-lasting spice that tingles throughout your mouth but doesn’t burn your lips off. Try it with tequila or gin for a little Sunday morning excitement. I do have two criticisms, though. First of all, the spice level on the label is very confusing. We weren’t sure whether it was indicating four peppers or one pepper. I like to know what I’m getting into. Secondly, it is a thick mix, which makes it great for mixing with spirits, but not great for sipping solo. So, if you opt for this Bloody Mary mixer, stick to the boozy Bloodies.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Target

Rating:

8/10

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Best Pickle-Flavored

The Real Dill Bloody Mary Mix

Pavillions

Instacart

Amazon

It comes in a pickle jar, so you can check “kitsch factor” off your list. But don’t worry, pickle lovers, it gets even more pickley from there. This Bloody Mary mix is tangy, salty, and definitely dilly—but there’s still some lovely, fresh cucumber flavors as well. It somehow manages to be extremely pickle-forward without being too heavy on the vinegar. Even one of our Bloody Mary newbies liked this mix. It’s the best gateway Bloody Mary mix if you’re a pickle eater who wants to find an in. 

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

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Best for Traveling

Filthy Bloody Mary Mix

Amazon

Instead of a bottle or can, Filthy sells their Bloody Mary mix in a pouch—which comes complete with a little hole in the corner so you can clip it to your backpack with a carabiner, presumably. You know, for all of those cliffside Bloodies you plan on making. The pouches are very pleasing and easy to pack, and each one makes two Bloody Marys. They are a bit difficult to pour, though. The flavor is roasted and rich—like caramelized tomatoes. It’s another mix that would be ideal for a darker spirit like mezcal or bourbon. There’s some heat on the end and a lot of funky horseradish flavor without any chewy horseradish bits. Bring these Bloody Mary mixers on your next excursion (or to your couch).

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best for Virgin Bloodies

Major Peters’ Bloody Mary Mix

Amazon

This was a shocker. Even though I had seen it on other “best of” lists, it was a new name to me and the label didn’t scream “tasty.” I just don’t associate British colonialist soldiers with high quality Bloodies. But apparently I should, because this umami bomb of a mix is delicious. It’s heavy on the tomato flavors with a hint of smoke and layers of vegetal flavors. It’s not spicy at all, so it’s perfect for the spice averse. It’s also excellent sipped on its own. No booze required (but it is certainly appreciated).

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best for Anyone

Mr & Mrs T Original Bloody Mary Mix

Walmart

This has been my go-to for a long time. It’s in my parent’s fridge for their odd 5 p.m. Bloody Mary ritual, it’s the airline standard, it’s great. It’s tangy, tomato-forward, and, most of all, extremely savory. There’s a hint of spice to it and some artificial lime—this is exactly when I want artificial lime. It’s perfect as is, great with vodka, and it leaves room for customization. If you want your Bloody extra-spicy, load it up with hot sauce. It can take it. If you want more of that sinus-clearing horseradish, add a few spoonfuls. This is the Heinz ketchup of the Bloody Mary mix world. Cheers to the happy couple, the Ts.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Q Spectacular Bloody Mary Mix

Walmart

A new addition to the market and to our best Bloody Mary mix list, Q’s canned Bloody Mary mix is even more savory than Mr & Mrs T and it has a hint of heat that just puts it over the top. It smells a little like dill pickles, but the flavor is very tomato-forward. It really taps into the umami of tomato along with a touch of tang and some delicious spice. You can see flecks of horseradish but the flavor of the root isn’t overpowering. And I love that it comes in little cans (four per pack) so you don’t have to commit to multiple Bloodies in one weekend. I wasn’t sure any mix would ever top Mr & Mrs T for me, but here we are. The label doesn’t lie. It truly is a spectacular Bloody Mary mix.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

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