The Bloody Maria is a tequila-based variation of the Bloody Mary, made with tomato juice and spicy savory seasonings.
A typical Bloody Maria replaces the vodka in a Bloody Mary with tequila. Tomato juice is combined with ingredients such as hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, celery salt, and citrus juice, although recipes differ. The drink is usually served over ice and garnished with celery or other savory foods.
The name signals the substitution: “Maria” is used as the tequila version of “Mary.” This makes the cocktail distinct from the Margarita, which is citrus-forward, and the Paloma, which is generally grapefruit-based and carbonated.
There is no single mandatory seasoning list for a Bloody Maria. Its defining feature is the combination of tequila with the Bloody Mary’s tomato-and-savory flavor profile. Bars may adjust heat, acidity, salt, and garnish to suit local tastes.