We Tasted 8 Bloody Mary Mixes — Our Winner Is the Best for Brunch

A Bloody Mary is the ideal savory cocktail, thanks to its balance of tomato acidity, savory spices, and a touch of heat. While the classic vodka drink relies on pantry staples like Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and tomato juice, to have the mix on hand makes whipping up a batch a breeze. 

To make brunch a bit easier, we tasted eight popular Bloody Mary mixes. These are the three we recommend to mix with vodka or tequila, or even just to sip on their own.

How we selected the Bloody Mary mixes

We chose eight popular Bloody Mary mixes that are widely available at stores or online. We selected the most “original” variety from each brand, which included a few flavored ones. The mixes came in an assortment of packaging, and sizes ranged from single-serve cans to one-liter bottles.

How we tested

Seven Food & Wine editors participated in the tasting. While Bloody Mary mix is most often combined with vodka and flavorings like fresh lemon juice, horseradish, or hot sauce, we tasted these mixes by themselves to best compare the flavor profiles. All of the Bloody Mary mixes were chilled prior to tasting.

The editors scored each mix on a scale of 1 to 5, with a focus on flavor and texture. For flavor, we looked for bright tomato notes, and a balance of acidity, sweetness, and savoriness. For texture, we looked for a mix that wasn’t overly thick or viscous, nor too watery.

Best overall: The Real Dill Original Bloody Mary Mix

The Real Dill wowed our tasters with its balance of fresh tomato acidity, herbaceous complexity, peppery heat, and pickle-y tang. Featuring cucumber, habaneros, vinegar, and herbs, this vegetal mix was especially praised by editors who are big fans of pickles. 

“Oh, hey now!” said editorial director Dylan Garret. “This is kind of nice. It’s got spicy notes, a zip of acid and lemon, and I’m into it.” The mix also had one of the most exciting textures of the group. While the tomato base was looser and more liquid, it had distinct pieces of dill and garlic, which added welcome complexity. 

The Real Dill was founded as a pickle company, and its Bloody Mary mix was developed to utilize a byproduct of its manufacturing: an ultra-flavorful, cucumber-infused water. Over the years, The Real Dill has become even better known for its distinctive, pickle-inflected Bloody Mary and Margarita cocktail mixes.

Best classic: Tabasco Brand Classic Bloody Mary Mix

After the brands were revealed, our editors were surprised that this popular Bloody Mary mix was from hot sauce icon Tabasco. While Tabasco’s signature hot sauce packs a spicy punch, its Bloody Mary mix offered more subtle pepper notes. The mix’s warming backbone of spice blended well with its fruit-forward tomato notes and a kick of celery savoriness. 

Testers praised Tabasco’s Bloody Mary mix for its balance of seasoning. It was much saltier than other mixes and offered a more complete flavor profile. The mix comes in a 32-ounce bottle and is perfect for big-batch Bloody Marys at a party. Add a few dashes of Tabasco Brand Original Red Sauce for an extra hit of heat.

Best base: Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix

A go-to Bloody Mary mix among our tasting group, this runner-up was no surprise. Zing Zang is made with tomato and vegetable juices, and a range of seasonings that include onion, black pepper, and celery seed. 

“I really like the spices and seasonings in this,” said news and trending editor Merlyn Miller. “It’s savory and salty, and you can taste Worcestershire sauce in it.” While Zing Zang was a bit thick on its own, it would yield a perfectly textured Bloody when mixed with vodka or tequila.

The full list of contenders, ranked from highest to lowest

1. The Real Dill Original Bloody Mary Mix
2. Tabasco Brand Classic Bloody Mary Mix
3. Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix
4. Hella Cocktail Co. Bloody Mary 
5. Fever-Tree Classic Bloody Mary Mix
6. Q Mixers Bloody Mary Mix
7. Mr & Mrs T Original Bloody Mary Mix
8. V8 Bloody Mary Mix