Bacon Bloody Mary
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To make the best Bacon Bloody Mary recipe, start by making candied bacon! This addictive bacon recipe tastes so incredible, it puts your favorite cocktail over the top!
Add extra garnishes and a Bloody Mary Bar for the perfect brunch or afternoon treat. This tomato based cocktail is also great for special occasions like Father's Day, Mother's Day, and barbecues of all shapes and sizes.
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Bacon Makes the Cocktail!
This isn't just any bacon. It's incredibly sweet and spicy bacon slices that make the best loaded Bloody Mary you've ever tasted!
Serve this delicious mixed drink in a large pitcher or pint glass rimmed with salt or a variety of seasonings. Offer guests a choice of garnishes, and make sure there's plenty of candied bacon slices to enjoy!
The Best Mix
A really good Bloody Mary needs a great Bloody Mary mix. If you have your own recipe...that's awesome! But I've never found a mix that's better than Zing Zang.(ad) It's got the perfect blend of vegetable juice and tomato puree with a spicy kick.
Zing Zang includes celery salt, black pepper and hot sauce mixed with worcestershire and bold spices. Add a lime wedge and a celery stalk and you're good to go. Or load it up with green olives and crispy bacon strips that wake up your taste buds!
How to Make Candied Bacon
My method is a little different when making candied slices. I've found that baking them for 20 minutes before adding the brown sugar creates a crispier slice.
I also use regular cut bacon instead of thick cut because it's not as chewy. There's no need to flip the slices over!
- Place slices closely together on a sheet pan that has been covered with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle slices with steak seasoning or cracked black pepper.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until slices are crispy.
- Take out of oven and sprinkle slices with brown sugar.
- Bake for 5 more minutes until bacon is completely crisp throughout.
- Remove bacon from oven and transfer to a wire rack to drain. Place paper towels underneath rack to catch bacon grease.
- This recipe will make thick and straight slices if you bake them in the oven. Cooking them in a skillet on the stove won't create the same results.
Garnishes
Looking for extra flavor in your Bacon Bloody Mary? Try these variations and add ins for a loaded cocktail experience.
It's a PARTY in a glass!
- Tajin seasoning, Old Bay, cayenne pepper, creole seasoning, hot pepper sauce
- Heinz 57, A.1. Sauce, olive brine, pickle juice, clamato, chipotle, sriracha
- bacon vodka, pepper vodka, Tito's, Smirnoff, or no alcohol for a Virgin Mary
- gherkin slices, banana peppers, pickled okra, sweet pickles, jalapenos
- stuffed olives, feta cheese cubes, hot horseradish, red pepper flakes
- lemon wedges, celery stick, asparagus, pickled green beans, brussels sprouts
- crispy pancetta, chilled shrimp, shucked oysters, beef jerky, beef sticks
How to Make A Bloody Mary Bar
Bloody Mary Bars put the FUN in every party! Guests love being able to choose their own garnishes and seasonings to create the perfect DIY beverage.
You can start off small and offer a few toppings, or go hog wild and put out every condiment in your fridge! Anything goes, but I like to keep it simple with a few classic choices.
Don't feel like you have to break the bank to create a nice presentation. A few garnishes can create a loaded cocktail in just seconds! As long as you offer this million dollar bacon recipe, you can't go wrong!
Assembling the Drinks
1 - Use a lime or lemon slice to moisten the rim of each glass or mason jar.
2 - Dip rims of glasses into sea salt or rim seasoning. I use Tajin Seasoning (ad) which is a combination of lime and chili powder with salt.
3 - Add ice cubes until they reach the top of each glass.
4 - Fill glasses ¾ full with Bloody Mary mix. Add 2 ounces of vodka if desired, or serve it alcohol-free. Stir well.
5 - Garnish with candied bacon, celery stalks and toppings of your choice.
Recipe FAQS
Candied bacon can stay in an airtight container for up to 3 days. After that, it needs to be wrapped tightly and refrigerated.
Candied bacon tastes great crumbled on top of a salad, especially if it's a blue cheese wedge. It makes an amazing BLT sandwich, which is even better topped with pimento cheese. You can also toss these crumbles on top of brussels sprouts, cinnamon rolls and cupcakes!
The nice thing about this mixed drink is it's low maintenance. If you use a mix like Zing Zang, just pour it over ice and it's ready to sip. If you make your own mix, shake it in a cocktail shaker before pouring.
Party Tips
- Provide plenty of stir sticks and skewers to help serve garnishes.
- Need extra glasses? Use inexpensive mason jars for a fun presentation.
- Purchase condiments and seasonings after the holidays to get the best deals.
Brunch Recipes
Wondering what to serve with a Bloody Mary? I've got you covered with these awesome breakfast and brunch recipes...
- Shrimp and Grits
- Loaded Hash Brown Casserole
- Sausage Cheese Pastry
- Cat Head Biscuits and Gravy
- Fresh Fruit Platter
- Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits
- Meat Lovers Quiche
- Southern Fried Green Tomatoes
View these ideas for Mother's Day Brunch and a traditional Southern Brunch too!
Recipe Card
Bacon Bloody Mary
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
CANDIED BACON
- 8 slices bacon (regular cut)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (or steak seasoning)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
BLOODY MARYS
- 32 ounces Zing Zang (Bloody Mary Mix)
- 16 ounces vodka
- 1 slice lime
- sea salt or rim seasoning (ad)
- ice for glasses
- favorite garnishes
Instructions
CANDIED BACON
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Place bacon slices closely together on a sheet pan that has been covered with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle slices with black pepper or steak seasoning.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until slices are crispy but not too brown.
- Take out of oven and sprinkle each slice with brown sugar.
- Put back in oven and bake for 5 more minutes until bacon is crispy throughout.
- Remove bacon from oven and transfer to a wire rack to drain. Place paper towels underneath to catch grease. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
BLOODY MARYS
- Use a lime or lemon slice to moisten the rim of each glass. (Can use water if needed.)
- Dip rims of glasses into sea salt or rim seasoning.
- Add ice cubes to each glass until they reach the top.
- Fill glasses with 4 ounces (¾ full) of Bloody Mary Mix. Add 2 ounces of vodka. Stir well.
- Garnish with candied bacon, celery stalks and toppings of your choice.
Notes
- This recipe makes 8 Bloody Marys with candied bacon.
- See blog post for all the tips on how to make the best Bacon Bloody Mary!
- My method is a little different than others for making candied slices. I've found that baking them for 20 minutes before adding the brown sugar creates a crispier slice.
- Use regular cut bacon instead of thick cut because it's not as chewy. There's no need to flip the slices over if you follow this recipe.
- View the Google Web Story of Bacon Bloody Marys!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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In two weeks I have cards at my house. I will be fixing these Bloody Mary's for the ladies!
Woo Hoo!!! Let me know how they like them! 🙂
Candied bacon was such an amazing add to the Bloody Mary! Wonderful!
Thanks Dan! It's my favorite part of a Bloody Mary, tbh.
My mouth is literally watering reading this post. I can’t wait to try this candies bacon for my next Bloody Mary. Seems like the perfect thing for #brunchclub.
WHOOOAAAAA These are so good!!! The candied bacon garnish is insane. So good.
My mouth is literally watering reading this post. I can’t wait to try this candied bacon for my next Bloody Mary. Seems like the perfect thing for #brunchclub.
Thanks Laura! I want to join your club! 🙂
I have to make this for our next golf outing! My family is going to go nuts over this bacon! Thanks for another great recipe Debi!!
Oh fun! That bacon is dangerously yum!!! Enjoy! 🙂
I really love Bloody Mary's and these looks amazing! I like the simple garnishes you use and that bacon! Oh my gosh! Gotta try these soon.
Thanks Kara! The garnishes are the best part of a Bloody Mary! 🙂