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Whether you’re batching drinks before brunch or sipping solo at the bar, your Bloody Mary vodka matters. The spirit you use can affect the taste and body of your finished drink, and provides another way to customize the drink to your preferences.
The base of all Bloody Marys is vodka, tomato juice and spices. From there, the option are endless. In Canada, the cocktail is made with clam juice and called a Bloody Caesar. In the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, it’s common see seafood seasoning added to the mix. And, across the United States, bars and restaurants take the classic cocktail to new heights—sometimes literally via sky-high garnishes.
One way to customize the drink to your tastes is to play with the type of vodka you use. A spiced vodka will add more heat to your mornings, while herb-infused vodka gives an earthier feel, highlighting the vegetal notes of tomato juice.
Here, nine vodkas perfect for every Bloody Mary.
Chase English Oak Smoke Flavored Vodka; $30. Buy at Drizly. Look for a smoky-saline note that hits on nose and palate, with just a hint of almond-like… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Crop Organic Tomato Vodka; $30. Find at Wine-Searcher. Though clear in the bottle, this unique flavored vodka offers a bold, zesty, appetizing tomato… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Dixie Black Pepper Flavored Vodka; $18. Buy at Drizly. This clear vodka has a mild, slightly sweet aroma and just enough peppery punch to create… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Peabody Jones Vodka; $30. Buy at Drizly. Brisk and warming, this Washington State vodka has a honeyed, almond-like scent and an agave… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Prairie Organic Cucumber Flavored Vodka; $20. Buy at Drizly. This vodka smells like cucumber and tomato water, making it both bold and savory on the nose… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Strait Up Killer Vodka; $31. Find it at Wine-Searcher. Distilled from wheat and corn, this vodka has a neutral aroma and teasing savory hints that suggest… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
State Vodka; $10. Buy at State Vodka. Look for a neutral aroma and lightly vegetal palate that suggests celery leaf, finishing with… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
The Bay Seasoned Vodka; $25. Buy at Drizly. Made with Chesapeake Bay Seasoning from Maryland, this clear vodka has a surprisingly… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
UV Sriracha; $12. Buy at Drizly. The bottle is tinted the lurid red of the famous hot sauce, so it’s a surprise when the vodka… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
