The Bloody Mary is a staple Sunday brunch cocktail. Some people also use it as a cure for their Saturday night hangover.
Whatever your reason for consuming this delicious drink is, you can’t deny that it’s one of the most distinct cocktails.
That said, some vodkas work better in a Bloody Mary than others. Here are some of the best vodkas for Bloody Marys.
Table of Contents
ToggleTop 10 Best Vodka For Bloody Mary
10. Absolut Elyx Vodka
Average Price: Around $40
Alcohol Content: 42.3% ABV
Why We Like It: Absolut Elyx vodka is one of the most commonplace luxury vodkas in the market — it’s available at virtually any liquor store.
This top-shelf vodka is made with Swedish winter wheat and produced using a copper still from 1921, which gives it a clean and pure quality.
“Distinct brightness and freshness make it one of the best vodkas for Bloody Marys.”
– Tony Abou-Gamin, Author
Its creamed corn, grains, and cereal notes will also provide an interesting contrast with the cocktail’s savory tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce. [1]
9. Belvedere Smogory Forest
Average Price: Around $40
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: The Belvedere Smogory Forest vodka is made from a rare type of rye grown only within a single estate in Poland.
Unlike other vodka brands that go through multiple distillations, this particular spirit is distilled only thrice and filtered twice, which results in a full-bodied flavor.
This vodka is also a hint more savory, making it the perfect addition to Bloody Marys. Its velvety texture also helps the brunch drink go down super smoothly.
8. Reyka Vodka
Average Price: Around $30
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Reyka vodka prides itself on being one of the only brands to observe sustainable production — only geothermal power [2] from underground volcanoes is used to run the production factory.
They use glacial spring water and filter it through lava rock to naturally remove its impurities.
This intensive production process only allows the location to produce small batches of clean vodka, but you can be sure they are a cut above the rest.
It has a unique “green” element that blends perfectly with the other flavors in a homemade Bloody Mary.
Read: Our Top Vodkas For Screwdriver
7. Vodka Citron
Average Price: Around $30
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: The fresh flavor of Absolut Vodka Citron makes it one of the best vodkas for Bloody Marys.
Like their whole range of other flavored vodkas, this one is made with all-natural ingredients and no added sugar.
Its tangerine and lemon juice flavors will balance out the savory ingredients in Bloody Mary cocktails and highlight its natural, earthy flavors.
6. Chase Original Potato Vodka
Average Price: Around $20
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Chase Original Potato vodka is for those looking for a gluten-free variant.
As the name suggests, it is made from 100 percent potatoes, produced and distilled in copper pot stills to produce a crystal clear spirit. [3]
If that sounds good, here’s some more exciting news: its quality is so good that it won Gold in the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
This vodka has a savory, creamy quality, making it one of the best vodkas for Bloody Marys without making it too sweet.
Read: Our Top Store-Bought Bloody Mary Mix Options
5. Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka
Average Price: Around $25
Alcohol Content: 35% ABV
Why We Like It: The Crop Organic Cucumber vodka is a refreshing drink to keep a glass of Bloody Mary interesting.
We like its hint of vegetal notes because it contrasts the more powerful mixers, [4] especially when mixed with lime juice.
On its own, the vodka has bright cucumber notes and summery vibes that will rejuvenate your palate.
4. Stolichnaya
Average Price: Around $30
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Stolichnaya Vodka, or Stoli for short, is a great alcohol base for the classic drink.
It starts fairly creamy and sweet and eventually evolves to something more spicy and peppery the longer it sits on your tongue.
Its unique flavor will refrain the drink from getting bland and boring (not that it’s boring in the first place).
3. Ketel One Cucumber & Mint
Average Price: Around $30
Alcohol Content: 30% ABV
Why We Like It: The Ketel One Cucumber & Mint will provide a garden-fresh quality to the savory cocktail — an overall good thing if you want an innovative spin on your drink.
It clocks in at just 60 proof, so you won’t feel as guilty about getting a second glass. On its own, the vodka has a velvety smooth texture with a nice, bright flavor.
2. Chopin Rye
Average Price: Around $30
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Chopin is one of the few liquor brands that still manually hand-picks their raw ingredients.
The business is also kept within the Dorda family simply because they want to uphold the quality and caliber synonymous with their brand.
Chopin Rye is made with locally sourced, hand-picked Polish rye, which lends an extra kick of spicy rye bread and some crushed black pepper to the vodka.
When used in a Bloody Mary recipe, garnish with something salty (such as an olive or a pickle slice) to keep things from getting too cloyingly sweet.
Read: Top Hot Sauces For Bloody Mary Cocktail
1. Absolut Peppar
Average Price: Around $20
Alcohol Content: 38% ABV
Why We Like It: The Absolut Peppar vodka giant specifically had Bloody Marys in mind when they infused this special flavored vodka with spices, perfect for spicy Bloody Marys.
Absolut took special care in infusing this vodka with black pepper, white pepper, and chili flakes — any spice that would blend harmoniously with the rich mixers of the classic cocktail.
*Average prices are based on Drizly online. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
FAQs
What kind of vodka do you use for Bloody Mary?
The perfect vodka to use for Bloody Mary is Absolut Peppar. The brand had the Bloody Mary mix in mind when they infused this special flavored vodka with spices.
Is vodka the best alcohol for Bloody Mary?
Yes, vodka is the best alcohol for Bloody Mary. Vodka is a neutral spirit, so it won’t clash with the strong taste of tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce that are always present in the classic drink mix.
Does vodka quality matter in Bloody Mary?
It depends. You can use budget-friendly vodkas in Bloody Mary just as well as high-end ones. A great rule of thumb to remember is if you like the flavor of the vodka neat, you will like it just as much in drinks.
What’s the best potato vodka for Bloody Mary?
The best potato vodka for Bloody Marys is the Chase Original Potato vodka. Potato vodkas have a sweeter and creamier taste than wheat vodkas.
Does the Quality of Vodka Affect the Taste of a Bloody Mary?
Yes, the quality of vodka can significantly impact the taste of a Bloody Mary. Higher-quality vodkas often result in a smoother and more refined cocktail, while lower-quality vodkas may impart harsher flavors.
Should I Choose Flavored or Unflavored Vodka for a Bloody Mary?
It depends on personal preference. Traditional Bloody Mary recipes call for unflavored vodka, allowing the other ingredients to shine. However, some people enjoy experimenting with flavored vodkas, such as pepper or horseradish, to enhance the cocktail’s flavor profile.
What Characteristics Make a Vodka Ideal for a Bloody Mary?
A good vodka for a Bloody Mary should have a clean and neutral taste, allowing the other ingredients, such as tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and spices, to be the focus. Smoothness and purity are desirable qualities.
Can I Use Flavored Vodka to Enhance the Flavor of My Bloody Mary?
Yes, flavored vodkas can add an extra layer of flavor complexity to a Bloody Mary. Experiment with different flavors like pepper, horseradish, or citrus to customize your cocktail to your liking.
Should I Chill the Vodka Before Making a Bloody Mary?
It’s a matter of personal preference. While some people prefer their Bloody Marys with chilled vodka for a refreshing taste, others enjoy room temperature vodka to allow the flavors to meld more seamlessly.
On A Final Note
Having the right vodka for a Bloody Mary cocktail can make or break the drink, so we hope we’ve helped narrow down your choices with this list.
The important thing to remember is to choose the best vodkas that would complement the other ingredients.
Since tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and tabasco naturally possess savory notes, a vodka with more spice and earthiness would provide a nice contrast.
The best vodka for a Bloody Mary is Absolut Peppar vodka. Its earthy tones and spicy kick will provide a nice balance with the sauces in the cocktail and keep things fun, fresh, and interesting.
References:
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/mcraSW4BRJyBTtOMbcb6Tw#
- https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/geothermal/geothermal-power-plants.php
- https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20200302-the-true-origins-of-the-humble-potato
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-cucumber-a-fruit