Make Ahead

Horseradish Vodka Bloody Mary

by:
December  3, 2010
4.4
5 Ratings
Horseradish Vodka Bloody Mary
  • Serves 8
Author Notes

Bloody Marys are a must at my family's holiday breakfast table, not only are they a great accompaniment to any number of dishes but also a little vodka before noon always makes the day feel special. The horseradish infused vodka is spicy and warms up any cold winter day. - NWB —NWB

Test Kitchen Notes

This is a classic Bloody Mary, with one very smart, feisty secret ingredient. NWB has you infuse your vodka overnight with dried chiles, black pepper and plenty of coarsely grated fresh horseradish. It takes all of 10 minutes to put together the night before and it's a step we may never skip again. It leaves a smooth, lingering heat in your throat and makes brunch that much more delightful. You can customize the booze level of each drink -- a 4:1 ratio of mixer to vodka worked well for the wimps among us, but feel free to crank it up. Note: This recipe makes more vodka than you need, so either double the mixer recipe (if you're serving a crowd), or -- oh well! -- you'll just have to have more Bloody Marys next weekend. - A&M —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Horseradish Vodka
  • 1 piece fresh horseradish root (enough for 1 cup coarsely grated)
  • 1/4 cup whole peppercorns
  • 1-3 whole dried chiles
  • Bloody Mary Mix
  • 1 32 ounce bottle of low sodium V8
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
  • 1-3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • salt and pepper
  • lemon
  • celery seed
  • Old Bay
  • garnishes of choice: celery, pickled green beans, and lemon wedges
Directions
  1. Grate 1 cup fresh horseradish on large holes of a box grater. This will be very fragrant. Add grated horseradish to 1 liter of vodka with the peppercorns and whole chiles. Let steep overnight (not longer!).
  2. Strain vodka and put back in bottle. Taste the vodka for heat before adding horseradish to the Bloody Mary mix.
  3. Pour 1/4 cup of V8 juice out of bottle into a cup. Mix Worcestershire, Tabasco, horseradish, salt, and pepper into the bottle of V8 and shake vigorously. If using immediately distribute the non-mixed V8 between the drinks.
  4. Add ice to glasses, add vodka, add Bloody Mary mix, add a squeeze of lemon, sprinkle of celery seeds, sprinkle of Old Bay and stir. Add celery, pickled green bean, and lemon wedge as garnish.
  5. Drink and enjoy the holidays with your friends and family!
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53 Reviews

Alex W.
Alex W. September 3, 2017
For those who aren't crazy about vodka - Bloody Mary works equally well, if not better, with gin. Horseradish to the people!
 
Bill
Bill January 1, 2017
I have my vodka brewing in the refrigerator as I write this. I've never had this before and I'm looking forward to it. However, I'm not sure of the ratio of vodka to the V-8 in the glass. And, what is the purpose of reserving 1/4 cup of unaltered juice?
As W. C. Fields said: Never trust a man who doesn't drink.
 
Lady S.
Lady S. July 10, 2015
This horseradish vodka is ridiculously good! I have made it a coule of times and always gets insane compliments on it. The mix is good too, although I usually just wing it on the mix, so not sure I followed the above mix recipe perfectly :)
 
Jamie A.
Jamie A. April 10, 2015
Nice write-up! I am a big fan of Bloody Marys. You should try that one called LAVA (www.lavabmm.com). It's the best bloody mary mix, I think, since it tastes really good, not to mention, it uses whole non-gmo San Marzano tomatoes and is gluten free. =)
 
Lady S.
Lady S. December 26, 2014
This is delicious!!!! I made it for Christmas brunch. OMG. Make this vodka. This horseradish vodka recipe is a keeper!
 
Stephen W.
Stephen W. February 2, 2014
Love a good Bloody Mary! And very sorry to have to ask but what type or kind of dried chile should I buy? I'm in NE GA now and our grocery just doesn't stock 'gourmet ingredients!' They have a horseradish root but it always looks like it was dug up 2 yrs ago! But I am glad they have it!
 
blanchesnow
blanchesnow December 23, 2013
I've been saving this recipe for months, and finally prepared everything tonight for Christmas brunch. Poured the vodka into a big canning jar and it's so pretty sitting on my window sill - all the white horseradish and red chiles is so festive. Can't wait to serve this.
 
Anita W.
Anita W. June 22, 2013
There was a bartender in NYC at the Pierre au Tornelle on 48th between 8th and 9th ave who made a Bloody Mary to die for.
 
zoemetro U.
zoemetro U. December 10, 2011
I love this idea--one can never have enough horseradish! This will be my go to Sunday staple AND a perfect addition to the upcoming holiday mornings where an edge needs to be smoothed. Thank you and a belated congratualtions.
 
NWB
NWB January 2, 2012
Thanks!
 
HeatherM
HeatherM August 7, 2011
A word to the wise: do not attempt to steep the vodka in your freezer (where I am used to keeping it). You will have marvelously improved results on the counter! Thanks, NWB!
 
dymnyno
dymnyno April 11, 2011
Congrats...Will be trying this creative addition to bloody mary mix very soon...except I will probably use gin.
 
NWB
NWB April 12, 2011
Thanks! You'll have to let me know how it works with gin. Hope you like it.
 
KKW
KKW April 8, 2011
I haven't had an NWB bloody in a long time. I think its about time and next weekend would be perfect! Congrats! XOXO
 
NWB
NWB April 10, 2011
I hope you'll make a batch soon!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian
TheWimpyVegetarian April 8, 2011
This looks like a great way to do my next Bloody Mary's!! Congrats on making it into the finals!
 
NWB
NWB April 8, 2011
Thanks!
 
amandam1
amandam1 April 8, 2011
looks divine. bloody marys are my absolute favorites! do you need to peel the horseradish before you grate it? (it looked peeled in M and A's photos)
 
NWB
NWB April 8, 2011
As long as you clean and trim the horseradish well I don't think it has to be peeled. You can also just cut a clean square out of the center with a knife to avoid the tedium of peeling or scrubbing the horseradish.
 
hughesmarylou
hughesmarylou April 8, 2011
I've had NWB's Bloody Marys and they are the BEST!
 
NWB
NWB April 8, 2011
Thank you!
 
Waverly
Waverly April 8, 2011
My anual girls "retreat" with my college friends is coming up - this is THE perfect contribution. What a great recipe.
 
NWB
NWB April 8, 2011
These are a wonderful addition to any ladies weekend. Thank you!
 
kat31
kat31 April 7, 2011
This is a spectacular recipe! I used Absolut Peppar vodka (my fav for Marys) and they were super spicy deliciousness! Everyone loved them at brunch! Thanks so much!
 
NWB
NWB April 7, 2011
Hope you like this version of spicy vodka! Thanks!
 
mrslarkin
mrslarkin April 7, 2011
Yum! And congrats!
 
NWB
NWB April 7, 2011
Thanks!
 
fiveandspice
fiveandspice April 7, 2011
Congrats! This sounds mind-blowing! And, I mean that in a good way. :)
 
NWB
NWB April 7, 2011
Thank you!
 
kekdc
kekdc April 7, 2011
I can't wait to try this! I LOVE vodka before noon, too!
 
NWB
NWB April 7, 2011
Who doesn't love vodka before noon?!?! Ha ha.