A Bloody Mary is a popular alcoholic cocktail typically made with vodka, tomato juice, and other savory ingredients like horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, black pepper, celery salt, and lemon juice. It’s often garnished with celery stalks, olives, pickles, or bacon.
Many people enjoy Bloody Mary’s but wonder if they are high in carbohydrates due to the tomato juice. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the carb content of Bloody Mary’s and how it compares to other popular cocktails. We’ll also provide some tips for lowering the carb count if you’re watching your intake.
Are tomato juices high in carbs?
Tomatoes and tomato juice are relatively low in net carbs, meaning total carbohydrates minus fiber. One cup or 8 oz of tomato juice contains around 9-10 grams of total carbs but 2-3 grams come from fiber, so the net carb count is only 6-7 grams (1, 2).
For comparison, the same amount of orange juice contains around 15 grams of net carbs while apple juice has 24 grams of net carbs (3, 4).
So tomato juice is lower in sugar and carbs than most fruit juices. The naturally occurring fiber in tomato juice also helps reduce the glycemic impact.
Carb count in a typical Bloody Mary
A typical Bloody Mary contains around 4-6 oz of tomato juice plus 1.5 oz of vodka.
Using the nutrition info above, 4-6 oz of tomato juice would provide 3-5 grams of net carbs. The vodka contains no carbs.
Therefore, the total net carbs in a standard Bloody Mary made with 4-6 oz of tomato juice and 1.5 oz vodka ranges from **3-5 grams.**
This carb count is for the basic drink without any added ingredients like horseradish, hot sauce, lemon juice, etc. These extra ingredients would only contribute minimal additional carbs, if any.
Bloody Mary carb count compared to other cocktails
Here’s how the carb count of a Bloody Mary compares to other popular cocktails:
| Cocktail (4-6 oz serving) | Total Carbs | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| Bloody Mary (tomato juice) | 5-7g | 3-5g |
| Margarita (lime juice) | 15-20g | 15-20g |
| Piña Colada (pineapple juice) | 30-40g | 25-35g |
| Mojito (sugar & lime juice) | 15-30g | 15-30g |
| Long Island Iced Tea | 0g | 0g |
As you can see, a Bloody Mary is very low in carbs compared to cocktails made with fruit juices or added sugar. It’s about on par with a basic vodka soda.
The only common cocktails lower in carbs than a Bloody Mary are ones based purely on hard liquor with no juices, mixes or sugar added. Examples include a rum and diet coke, whiskey on the rocks, or vodka with soda water.
Tips for lowering the carbs in a Bloody Mary
While a standard Bloody Mary is already low carb, there are some easy ways to reduce the carb count even further:
– Use low-carb tomato juice or add extra lemon juice or vinegar rather than relying solely on tomato juice for tanginess.
– Skip the horseradish, or use just a teaspoon rather than tablespoons. Horseradish can have 5-10 grams of carbs per tablespoon.
– Go easy on high-carb mix-ins like celery, carrots, bell peppers, or pickles. Stick to olives and celery stalks.
– If adding hot sauce, check the labels and choose a no-sugar-added variety.
– Consider making it a Bloody Maria by using tequila instead of vodka. The tequila flavor will let you use less tomato juice.
– Flavor with herbs and spices instead of tomato juice like rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, or chili powder.
– Rim the glass with something savory like chili-lime salt rather than sugar or sugary ketchup.
Low-carb Bloody Mary recipes
Here are some recipe ideas for low-carb Bloody Marys:
The Classic
– 1.5 oz vodka
– 3 oz tomato juice
– Splash of lemon juice
– Dash of Worcestershire sauce
– Celery salt & pepper to taste
The Spicy Mexican
– 1.5 oz tequila
– 2 oz tomato juice
– 1 oz lime juice
– Hot sauce & chili powder to taste
– Rim with chili-lime salt
The Savory Herbal
– 1.5 vodka
– 1 oz tomato juice
– 1 oz lemon juice
– Rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil and celery salt
The Green Bloody
– 1.5 vodka
– 1 oz tomato juice
– 1 oz lemon juice
– Handful of kale or spinach
– Celery stalk & olives for garnish
Conclusion
In conclusion, a standard Bloody Mary contains only 3-5 grams of net carbs, making it a relatively low-carb cocktail option. It’s much lower in carbs compared to cocktails made with fruit juices or added sugar.
There are also easy ways to further reduce the carb count by decreasing the tomato juice, skipping high-carb mix-ins, and adding flavor with herbs and spices instead. So if you’re craving a Bloody Mary, you can enjoy one without too much worry about carbs spiking your blood sugar. Just stick to 4-6 oz servings and avoid sugary rims or mixes.
References
1. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170457/nutrients
2. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170469/nutrients
3. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/175120/nutrients
4. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170562/nutrients