I Asked 6 Bartenders To Name the Best Vodka for Bloody Marys—They All Said the Same Thing

The first time I tried a bloody Mary I couldn’t help but be caught off guard by its thick consistency and spicy flavor. At the time, I was entirely new to cocktails, especially one whose lore had completely outgrown its original purpose. Once constrained to the limits of a brunch beverage that doubled as a hangover cure, the bloody Mary has since become a staple at cocktail bars and restaurants around the globe.

It took me quite a while to open up to this cocktail's robust concoction of ingredients. Depending on where you’re ordering from, it might show up at your table topped with the likes of shrimp, crab legs, hamburger sliders, cheese, candied bacon, olives, peppers, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, and more. And if that sounds like a lot to you, well, that’s because it kind of is.

I’ve become a fan of bloody Marys, but the basic kind. One without the burden of countless toppings and ingredients. I’ve narrowed down the flavors I prefer most (savory, spicy, and salty), but I’m still unsure of which vodka to use.

In search of an expert opinion and a reliable place to start experimenting, I tapped a few professionals in the mixology business. What I didn’t expect was for them all to name the same brand.

The Bartenders I Spoke To:

• Garret Dostal: Mixologist at Bar 135
• H. Joseph Ehrmann: Owner of Elixir and mixologist at Fresh Victor Cocktail Mixers
• Ricky Morrison: Bar manager at The Roxy in Jersey City, NJ
• Hannah Chamberlain: Founder of Spirited LA and recipe developer and author of How to Be a Better Drinker
• Willa Van Nostrand: Owner and mixologist of Little Bitte Artisanal Catering
• Ashley Rose Conway: Owner of Craft & Cocktails and author of Celebrate Rosé

The Best Vodka for a Bloody Mary, According to Bartenders

According to Dostal, “Choosing the right vodka for a bloody Mary is crucial, as it acts as the backbone of the cocktail.” In terms of the best vodka to pair with a bloody Mary, these professionals all named Broken Shed as their top choice. Dostal credits Broken Shed’s “whey-based smoothness and texture,” for making it the ideal base for bloody Marys.

Professionals prefer Broken Shed because it brings “balance, body, and a creamy mouthfeel that traditional vodkas don’t always accomplish,” Dostal explains. In his opinion, this brand “makes for a more satisfying and holistic cocktail experience,” allowing the tomato juice and spices to “harmonize with the vodka’s unique characteristics.” It adds “depth to an often overlooked aspect of the drink: vodka.”

Ehrmann describes the flavor as “crisp and vibrant, with a brightness that elevates the savory characteristics of the drink. Broken Shed has all of that and more. It is extremely well distilled with a minerality that pops.” 

Broken Shed’s bloody Mary-friendly characteristics come from its simplicity. The New Zealand-born brand is the region's premium vodka choice and is made with just three ingredients: spring water, mineral water, and whey. In terms of purity, it doesn’t get any better than that. With no additives or GMOs included, this vodka is strictly business. And with only 15 years under the brand’s belt, being a top choice amongst the pros is a noteworthy accomplishment. 

Morrison credits the bloody Mary’s popularity as relying on “great ingredients,” which is why he claims to only use Broken Shed vodka for his. In Morrison’s experience, its minimal ingredient list creates the “cleanest, crispest, and most refreshing bloody Mary you’ll ever taste.”

The Most Popular Vodka Requested for Bloody Marys, According to the Pros

Compared to other vodka brands, Broken Shed doesn’t necessarily break the bank at $35.99 per 750ml bottle. However, it is more expensive compared to one of our honorary mentions. Chamberlain names Tito’s as an “easy to find, neutral vodka that works well in a bloody Mary as long as you’re using a high-quality bloody Mary mix.” 

Tito’s can be found for just $24.99 per 750ml bottle and, according to Conway and Van Nostrand, is tied with Grey Goose as the most requested vodka at bars by customers. Chamberlain echoes Ehrmann’s sentiments “If you want to elevate your bloody Mary, I like to choose a vodka with character that complements the flavors in the rest of the drink,” she says.

Whichever route you choose, Chamberlain explains that finding the right vodka for a bloody Mary is as easy as identifying which one “allows the ingredients to stand out.” She recommends finding one that has “texture and no harsh burn,” so it allows the other flavors complete the experience for you.

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