The Bloody Mary and celery stalks have become forever entwined. It’s almost unheard of today to order the famous tomato-juice-vodka combination and not receive a large green stalk of celery to stir and munch on.
But Bloody Mary garnishes can do and be so much more than simple celery. Whether you’re enjoying the drink for its alleged hangover powers or just want to turn up the party on your weekend brunch, make sure you don’t skip out or skimp on the garnish.
What Are Bloody Mary Garnishes?
Bloody Mary garnishes exist to give the drink an extra bite, literally and flavor-ly. Garnishes are food items placed inside the drink or balanced on the edge of the glass and are often used as decoration. The Bloody Mary garnish, however, adds contrasting textures and flavors to the beverage and are what makes the Bloody Mary so beloved.
Although the Bloody Mary has been around since about 1930, garnishes didn’t appear until much later, and they, supposedly, happened by accident. According to the legend, a patron visiting the Chicago bar Butch McGuire’s in the 1970s was served a Bloody Mary without a swizzle stick to stir it. Rather than asking for a stick, the patron grabbed a nearby celery stalk instead. Thus, the Bloody Mary garnish was born.
Classic Bloody Mary Garnishes
The celery stalk is the ultimate classic garnish, but pickle sticks and rim salts have also become fan-favorites. Demitri’s All-Natural Rim Shot rimming salt enhances the taste of lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic, making this the perfect finishing touch to the perfect Bloody Mary.
Some other classic Bloody Mary garnishes include:
- Olives
- Pickles
- Peppers
- Lime or Lemon Wedges
Unique Bloody Mary Garnishes
In recent years, Bloody Mary garnishes have evolved from the simple celery stalk to full-blown rotisserie chickens (yes, you read that right). For the creative bartender, garnish possibilities are practically endless. However, some unique ideas don’t cross the crazy threshold.
Take your rim salt to the next level with Demitri’s All-Natural Bacon Rim Shot rimming salt! Our beautiful, brick-colored salt adds a smoky aroma and the savory taste of bacon to your Bloody Mary. To satisfy your inner carnivore, swap out the celery stalk for our Chipotle Habanero Beef Jerky or Pepperoni Straws. These also make great additions to our Chipotle Habanero Bloody Mary Mix.
Who doesn’t love a warm bowl of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich on the side? Turn that cozy feeling into a delicious Bloody Mary! Mini grilled cheese sandwiches skewered on a stick can be plopped into any Bloody Mary for a nostalgically warm snack.
If you want more of a crunch, onion rings, jalapeno poppers, or fried chicken pieces are all fun ways to boost your garnish game.
Some other unique Bloody Mary garnishes include:
- Smoked oysters or mussels
- Chicken wings
- Burger Sliders
- Lobster
- Crab
- Shrimp
- Sausage
- Roasted garlic
- Pickled Asparagus
- Artichokes
You can find a more complete list of interesting and unique Bloody Mary garnish ideas on our website.
Want to get to the garnishes without the hassle of making a Bloody Mary from scratch? Try one of our all-natural Bloody Mary seasonings today! Flavors include:
- Classic Recipe
- Classic Recipe (Vegan)
- Chilies and Peppers
- Extra Horseradish
- Chipotle Habanero
