Old Bay Bloody Mary

★ Why You’ll Love this Recipe ★

A Bloody Mary with a Maryland Twist

If you love seafood, spicy flavors, and bold drinks, this Maryland-inspired Bloody Mary is calling your name. It’s packed with classic ingredients but with a regional spin that takes it up a notch. Whether you're serving brunch or just want a savory cocktail, this version is a standout.

The Secret Ingredient: Old Bay

The game-changer? Old Bay seasoning. It’s the heart of this recipe and what makes it truly Maryland-style. I didn’t fall in love with Bloody Marys until I visited a fully stocked Bloody Mary bar and discovered what was missing—Old Bay! The seasoning adds that perfect kick and savory depth I’d been looking for.

Born and Raised on Old Bay

As someone born and raised in Maryland, I can tell you Old Bay is more than just a spice—it’s a way of life. It’s our go-to for everything from crabs and corn to fries and popcorn. Adding it to a Bloody Mary? Totally natural. It blends right in and gives the drink a signature flavor that seafood lovers will appreciate.

Seafood Lover’s Dream Drink

To really round things out, this cocktail includes shrimp, horseradish, and a splash of fresh lemon. It’s spicy, zesty, and layered with flavor. Top it off with your favorite garnishes, and you’ve got a brunch drink that doubles as a snack. It’s bold, fun, and totally unforgettable!

★ Ingredients You'll Need ★

• Tomato juice. I like to use V8 or Clamato juice. Both have a hearty dose of healthy vegetables!
• Vodka. Any plain (non-flavored) vodka works! Typically the cheaper the vodka, the lesser the quality. So I usually spring for a middle-of-the-road vodka to avoid headaches later.
• Lemon juice. You'll want to squeeze actual lemons vs. using the bottle lemon juice. It's much more flavorful this way. You can squeeze then add the lemon juice or offer a lemon wedge as a garnish and let people squeeze their own juice.
• Tabasco sauce. This adds some heat and flavor.
• Old Bay seasoning. Old Bay is a seafood seasoning blend made up primarily of celery salt, paprika, red and black pepper, and mustard powder.
• Horseradish. You want to use plain horseradish, not a creamy horseradish sauce. This pack some spice that will make your nose tingle! This is optional. A small amount goes a long
• Celery. Celery stalks with leafs still attached makes a pretty garnish. Leave the stalk in your drink so it soaks up some juice, then enjoy the crunch once you're done with your drink. It also helps you stir to keep things mixed which you drink.
• Shrimp. Cooked cocktail shrimp make a pretty and tasty garnish. You can coat them in Old Bay first or not. Totally up to you. Add them to the top of your glass using a cocktail skewer.

A lot of these ingredients you might already have on hand. Other than a few oddball ingredients, the only thing you might need to run to the store and get, is some cocktail skewers and straws.

★ How to Serve Bloody Marys ★

From a Pitcher

Mix a big batch (minus the celery and shrimp) and serve from a chilled pitcher. Keep garnishes on the side and offer ice when serving. For a fun touch, rub glass rims with lemon and dip in Old Bay, or let guests DIY with a lemon wedge and plate of seasoning.

DIY Bloody Mary Bar

Set out all the ingredients and let guests build their own. Include cups, stir sticks, and a chalkboard with mix suggestions so everyone gets the flavor (and strength) they want.