This Spicy Bloody Mary Recipe is perfect for parties, for serving with brunch, or for the perfect pairing with any seafood dinner!

First Published December 2011; Updated September 2020

Spicy Bloody Mary Shrimp Shots

Appetizers are always my favorite part of a meal. In fact, my weekend dinners often consist of all appetizers. Really, who doesn't love finger food? I also love Bloody Marys. They are my favorite brunch drink. I don't mind drinking them at any time of the day or night, especially if I am eating seafood. So I put my fondness of appetizers, Bloody Mary's and seafood all together in one shot glass. Aren't they cute?

We can't forget the tomatoes! As I have professed my love for canned tomatoes before, now I am telling you they REALLY make me happy. The can of Red Gold tomatoes is what started this whole recipe. I decided to make my own Bloody Mary mix and it sure did pay off. Now I have a delicious concoction of tomatoes, broth, celery salt and fresh lemon just blending together in my refrigerator waiting for some shrimp to come along. Since I like spicy, I used tomatoes with chilies. If you would like a milder drink, you can use regular tomatoes and add a little hot sauce to your liking.

I made this bloody mary recipe with shrimp in shot glasses which are great for a crowd but if you would rather have a cozy party for two, you can serve them in martini glasses. I garnished them with olives but lemon wedges, celery, or any pickled veggies would work. The amount of vodka you add is up to you. They can even be made non alcoholic but that would be a shame. You can purchase already cooked shrimp but I prefer to make my own spiced shrimp cocktail. Then I have plenty of leftover shrimp to nibble on.

FAQ

How do I choose the best shrimp?

Typically, the safer bet for shrimp is to buy them frozen, as this ensures they are fresh. For this recipe, as long as you're planning on using the shrimp right away, it might be better to buy fresh.
If you’re feeling adventurous and would rather try fresh shrimp, make sure the shrimp don’t smell like ammonia or have shells that are slimy. They should be firm with solid tails.
For a recipe like this one, aiming for medium to large -sized shrimp is the best option. Still, this would work with jumbo shrimp if you're serving it in larger glasses.

Variations

For some extra information about variations on the bloody mary, check out this guide from Eater.

Bloody Maria: use either tequila or mezcal instead of the vodka. For garnish, consider charred jalapeño or roasted corn.
Michelada: If a bloody mary isn't typically something you enjoy, this variation might be for you. Use beer instead of vodka, and make sure to add some lime juice and rim your glass with spices and salt.
Bloody Caesar: For this variation, add some clam broth into your tomato mixture in addition to the chicken broth. Horseradish and chili flakes are often regularly incorporated into this drink.
There's an absurd amount of variations on this drink, but here are some other basic suggestions.
- Instead of vodka, use: Scotch, whiskey, gin, spiced rum, or sake
- If you're in a rush, instead of the homemade tomato mixture, just combine vodka with V8!
- Add beef bouillon to your tomato mixture for a drink that veers away from surf and instead toward turf.

Other Alcoholic Beverage Recipes

Strawberry Mojitos with Fresh Strawberries
Lime Cucumber Cosmos from Mama Gourmand
Rosemary Peach Maple Leaf Cocktails from The Bojon Gourmet
Red Wine Hot Chocolate from Downshiftology
Green Tea and Peach Juleps from Hello Glow

If you like this Spicy Bloody Mary Recipe, please give it a 5-star rating below!

RECIPE

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save