A Bloody Mary is a popular alcoholic drink consisting of vodka, tomato juice, and a blend of spices and seasonings. But with all those ingredients, how many carbs does a standard Bloody Mary actually contain? Here are some quick answers to key questions:
The amount of carbs in a Bloody Mary can range quite a bit based on specific ingredients used, but is typically around 15-30 grams of carbs per drink. Vodka is zero carbs, while tomato juice provides around 7-15 grams of carbs per cup depending on brand. Additional ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper add minimal carbs.
So in summary: Vodka has no carbs, tomato juice is the main source of carbs, and added mix-ins contribute very little. The total carb count per Bloody Mary is therefore mainly dependent on how much tomato juice is used.
Examining the Main Ingredients in a Bloody Mary
To get a more detailed understanding of how many total carbs are in a Bloody Mary, we need to look closely at the typical ingredients used to make this cocktail. There are 5 main components that go into a Bloody Mary drink:
Vodka
Vodka is the primary spirit used to make a Bloody Mary. Since vodka is distilled from fermented grains or potatoes, the end product is virtually pure alcohol with no carbohydrates.
A standard shot of vodka (1.5 ounces) contains no carbs or sugar. So vodka adds no carbs to the total carb count of a Bloody Mary.
Tomato Juice
Tomato juice gives the Bloody Mary its signature red color and tangy tomato flavor. Tomato juice typically provides the majority of carbohydrates in a Bloody Mary.
The carb content in tomato juice can range quite a bit by brand, from around 7-15 grams of carbs per cup. For example:
- Campbell’s Tomato Juice: 15g carbs per cup
- V8 Original Tomato Juice: 11g carbs per cup
- Rienzi Tomato Juice: 7g carbs per cup
A standard Bloody Mary will include around 4-8 ounces of tomato juice. With a typical carb count of 10g per cup, this means the tomato juice would contribute about 5-10g of total carbs to the drink.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce is a key ingredient that provides depth of flavor, umami, and tanginess to balance the tomato juice. It’s made from vinegars, molasses, tamarind, garlic, and spices.
Most Worcestershire sauces contain only 1-3g carbs per tablespoon. A Bloody Mary normally calls for about 1-2 tablespoons. So Worcestershire sauce adds a negligible amount of carbs to the overall carb count.
Horseradish
Prepared horseradish is often added in small amounts to give a Bloody Mary a spicy kick. Fresh horseradish root has about 3g net carbs per ounce, but jarred prepared horseradish generally has less than 1g carbs per tablespoon after fiber is removed.
A Bloody Mary made with around 1 teaspoon of prepared horseradish would get less than 1g carbs from this ingredient. So it’s another very minimal carb contributor.
Hot Sauce
A few dashes of hot sauce can also be added to a Bloody Mary for extra heat and flavor. Common types like Tabasco, Cholula, and Frank’s RedHot have 0-1g carbs per teaspoon.
Adding a teaspoon or less of hot sauce would add negligible carbs to the drink. Even if you add several dashes for more heat, hot sauce is not a significant source of carbs in a Bloody Mary.
Lemon Juice
Some Bloody Mary recipes call for a bit of fresh lemon juice to brighten up the flavors. Lemon juice contains about 2.5g carbs per ounce, mostly from natural sugars.
Using just a tablespoon or so of lemon juice for a Bloody Mary would add less than 1g carbs total.
Salt, Pepper, Celery Salt
Finally, the seasoning ingredients – salt, black pepper, and celery salt – contain no carbohydrates so they don’t impact the carb count.
Standard Carb Count of a Basic Bloody Mary
Now let’s put all this information together to estimate the total carbs in a standard Bloody Mary with common ingredient amounts:
| Ingredient | Amount | Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | 1.5 oz | 0g |
| Tomato juice | 6 oz | 9g |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tbsp | 1g |
| Prepared horseradish | 1 tsp | 1g |
| Hot sauce | 1 tsp | 0g |
| Lemon juice | 1 tbsp | 1g |
| Salt, pepper, celery salt | pinch/dash | 0g |
| Total Carbs | 12g |
As shown in this nutrition breakdown, a standard 6 oz Bloody Mary made with common ingredients totals about 12g net carbs.
This carb count will mainly vary based on how much tomato juice is used, as tomato juice contributes the bulk of total carbs. Overall, a basic Bloody Mary will provide 12-15g of net carbs in a typical single serving.
Low Carb Bloody Mary Options
There are some easy ways to cut down on carbs to make a lower carb Bloody Mary if desired:
Use Low Carb Tomato Juice
Opt for a tomato juice with lower natural sugar content like Rienzi (7g carbs per cup). Or choose a low carb vegetable juice like V8 Low Sodium Tomato Juice (3g net carbs per cup).
Reduce Tomato Juice Amount
Use less tomato juice overall, such as 4 ounces instead of 6 ounces. This reduces the juice’s carb contribution by a few grams.
Add More Vodka
Go heavy on the vodka and light on the juice by adding an extra ounce of vodka and reducing tomato juice by the same amount. Vodka has no carbs, so this tweak cuts carbs while boosting alcohol content.
Garnish with Celery
Garnish your Bloody Mary with celery sticks instead of high-carb crackers, croutons, or olives on the side. Celery is very low carb at less than 1g per stalk.
Spice It Up
Give your Bloody Mary an extra kick by increasing the amount of spicy ingredients like horseradish, hot sauce, black pepper, and celery salt. This enhances flavor so you can use less tomato juice and decrease overall carbs.
Making the Drink Low Carb Keto-Friendly
For an extra low carb Bloody Mary, you can make some ingredient swaps to create a keto-friendly version with under 5g net carbs:
Use Low Carb Tomato Juice
Opt for the lowest carb tomato juice possible, like V8 Low Sodium Tomato Juice.
Sub in Pickle Juice
Replace some of the tomato juice with tangy and flavorful pickle, olive, or pepperoncini juice, which contain minimal carbs.
Trim Down the Mix-Ins
Skip the Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice, stick to just a pinch of horseradish and hot sauce for flavor.
Increase Vodka
Use a 2 ounce shot of vodka instead of 1.5 ounces to minimize the need for extra juice.
Garnish with Veggies
Garnish with celery, cucumber, or pickled veggies like olives or jalapenos for extra low carb crunch.
With these tweaks, you can make a keto Bloody Mary with as little as 3-4g net carbs per serving. This allows you to enjoy the spicy flavor while keeping carbs low if you’re on a ketogenic diet.
Carb Count of Bloody Mary Mixers
Instead of making Bloody Marys from scratch, some people prefer the convenience of pre-made Bloody Mary mixer products. Here’s how these prepared mixes compare in terms of carb content:
Mr & Mrs T Original Bloody Mary Mix
11g carbs per 4 oz serving
McClure’s Bloody Mary Mix
9g carbs per 4 oz serving
Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix
8g carbs per 3 oz serving
Tabasco Bloody Mary Mix
4g carbs per 2 oz serving
As you can see, carb counts can vary widely among commercial Bloody Mary mixes, from 4-11g per serving depending on the brand. Be sure to read nutrition labels and select a lower carb product if limiting carbs.
Making Your Own Low Carb Bloody Mary Mix
You can also make your own DIY Bloody Mary mix at home with just a few simple low carb ingredients:
Ingredients
- 2 cups low sodium tomato juice
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp horseradish
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- 1⁄2 tsp sea salt
- 1⁄4 tsp black pepper
- 1⁄4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or container with a lid. Stir or shake well until thoroughly mixed. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To serve, pour 4 oz of mix into a glass filled with ice and add 1.5 oz vodka.
This easy homemade Bloody Mary mix has a total carb count of just 6g per 4 oz serving. So creating your own keto-friendly mix is a great way to control carbs and flavors.
Carb Count of Popular Bloody Mary Variations
There are lots of unique twists and variations on the classic Bloody Mary cocktail. Here’s how some of the most popular Bloody Mary renditions compare in terms of carb content:
Bacon Bloody Mary
Garnished with bacon – Adds 0g net carbs
Surf ‘n Turf Bloody Mary
Garnished with shrimp and steak – Adds 0g net carbs
Slider Bloody Mary
Garnished with a mini cheeseburger slider – Adds 15-30g net carbs
Pickle Bloody Mary
Adds pickle juice – Minimal added carbs
Mariachi Bloody Mary
Adds hot sauce and spices – No added carbs
Midwestern Bloody Mary
Swaps beer for vodka – Adds 10-15g net carbs from beer
The creative garnishes and additions don’t typically impact the carb counts of Bloody Marys too much, unless substituting in higher carb ingredients like beer or slider burgers. The tomato juice remains the main carb contributor in most recipes.
Low Carb Alcoholic Alternatives to Enjoy
If you’re looking keep carbs and calories low, here are some delicious low carb cocktails you can enjoy instead of a Bloody Mary:
Vodka Soda
Vodka mixed with seltzer water – 0g carbs
Vodka Martini
Vodka and dry vermouth – 3g carbs
Tequila Soda
Tequila and soda water – 0g carbs
Skinny Margarita
Tequila, lime juice and zero-calorie sweetener – 2g carbs
Gin & Slimline Tonic
Gin and slimline/diet tonic water – 0g carbs
Vodka Cranberry Spritzer
Vodka, cranberry juice and sparkling water – 5g carbs
Spirits like vodka, tequila, and gin combined with low carb mixers like soda, diet tonic, or slimline tonics result in much lower carb drinks. So opt for one of these alternatives if you want to limit carb intake.
The Bottom Line
A standard Bloody Mary made with common ingredients and amounts provides around 12-15g net carbs per single serving drink. Vodka contains no carbs, while tomato juice supplies most of the drink’s carbohydrates. Small amounts of flavorings and spices add minimal extra carbs.
You can lower the carb count by using reduced sugar tomato juice, decreasing the tomato juice amount, and avoiding high-carb garnishes. With smart substitutions and mix-ins, you can enjoy a keto-friendly Bloody Mary with as little as 3-5g net carbs.
So don’t feel like you need to give up Bloody Marys entirely if you’re watching your carb intake. With some simple adjustments, you can still enjoy the spicy flavor of this classic cocktail while sticking to a low carb diet.
