We’re big fans of easy non-alcoholic brunch drinks, and when it comes to Bloody Marys, we don’t like to mess around. After all, you can’t go wrong with a drink that’s technically a meal as well, depending on how much celery, olives, and pickle spears are in it. Add a strip of bacon, and it’s breakfast.
For the bold, there’s Mary’s agave-based cousin, the Bloody Maria. Her history and origins are hazy, but the fact that she’s so uniquely sweet, salty, and spicy is all that really matters.
That’s why to celebrate our love for brunch sipping without the obligatory afternoon nap, we’ve created a delicious Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe using zero-proof tequila for a Bloody Maria vibe.
What in the World is a Bloody Maria?
A Bloody Maria is a Bloody Mary with tequila instead of vodka. That’s the basic premise. Some people might tell you you can just substitute tequila in place of vodka, while others will tell you that you need a few additional accouterments like hot sauce and Worcestershire to do it right.
We're not here to fight those battles, but what we can tell you for certain is that tequila alone can make all the difference, even in zero-proof form. It’s citrusy, peppery, and has notes of roasted agave that work perfectly with chili, lime, celery salt, and horseradish. Throw in a few briny extras, and you'll have an edgy virgin Bloody Mary cocktail recipe that your friends will beg you for.
Today, we’re making a Bloody Maria cocktail recipe using one of our favorite NA spirits: Trejo’s Zero Proof Tequila.
The Virgin Bloody Maria Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces of TOMA Bloody Mary Mix
- 1.5 to 2 ounces of Trejo’s Zero Proof Tequila
- Fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Blue Henry Bloody Mary Rimming Salt
- FreshDried lime garnish
- Additional garnishes (optional): celery, olives, pickle spear, hot sauce, cucumber ribbons, pepperoncini
The great thing about using TOMA for this Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe is that it already comes with tomato, horseradish, jalapeno, chipotle, garlic, celery, Worcestershire, and lemon. You don't have to fuss with picking up a whole fridge door full of ingredients for a single drink recipe, but you’re also not starting with a foundation of plain tomato juice and high hopes.
Directions
- Slice up some lime wedges and run one around the rim of your glass
- Dip the rim of your glass in a small dish of Blue Henry sea salt to coat it
- Add your TOMA Bloody Mary Mix, zero-proof tequila, and a hint of fresh-squeezed lime juice to a shaker and fill it with ice
- Shake until cold and strain into your glass with fresh ice
- Add a FreshDried lime garnish and anything else that tickles your creative taste (we’re personal fans of jalapeno slices)
- Test and make adjustments with hot sauce, salt, cracked pepper, or more lime
A good virgin Bloody Mary cocktail recipe should be salty, acidic, spicy, and savory. If it doesn’t hit you in the nose, add a bit of lime. If it’s too sweet, add salt. If you don’t like your easy non alcoholic brunch drinks to feel too polite, hot sauce is the magic potion.
Add a Bit More Flair
Feeling a bit maximalist? Here are a few ways to spice up your Bloody Maria cocktail recipe:
- Go From Hot to Hotter: Add a few tabs of hot sauce or a few jalapeno slices. Less is more!
- Citrus Maria: Extra lime and grapefruit if you have it. It’s brighter, sharper, and not as tomato-y.
- Garden Maria: Go farmers market-style with celery leaves, cucumber, cracked black pepper, and fresh herbs.
- Smoky Maria: A little smoked salt or smoked paprika goes a long way. Again, less and more. You don’t want your drink tasting like a grill.
- Snack Board Maria (a personal favorite): Olives, pickles, pepperoncini, sharp cheese cubes, and maybe a shrimp if you really feel like going off the rails with brunch.
Additional Quick Garnish Ideas
- FreshDried lime wheel
- Celery stalk
- Pickled green beans (genuinely the move)
- Olive skewer
- Pepperoncini
- Chili-salt rim
- Cucumber ribbon
- Lemon wedge
- Cracked black pepper
- Tiny pickle (should the universe provide)
A strong virgin Bloody Mary Cocktail recipe should feel a little unruly, and that’s the main charm of Bloody Marias.
If you want to whip up a batch of your own at home, check out our selection of non-alcoholic spirits, including tequila, mezcal, vodka, and more. Make sure to check out our Blog for even more easy non-alcoholic brunch drink recipes.
