A Bloody Mary is a popular alcoholic beverage typically made with vodka, tomato juice, and savory seasonings like Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, black pepper, celery salt, and horseradish. While vodka itself is carb-free, the other ingredients in a Bloody Mary can contribute a small amount of carbohydrates.
The Carb Count
On average, a typical Bloody Mary contains around 5-10 grams of net carbs. The exact amount can vary depending on the specific ingredients and proportions used.
Here’s a breakdown of the carb count of a standard Bloody Mary:
- 6 oz tomato juice – about 9 grams of carbs
- 1.5 oz vodka – 0 grams of carbs
- 1 tbsp lemon juice – about 1 gram of carbs
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce – about 1 gram of carbs
- Dash of hot sauce – negligible carbs
- Salt, pepper, horseradish, celery salt – no carbs
Adding other ingredients like olives, celery sticks, bacon, cheese, etc. can introduce more carbs. The total will also depend on the specific brands of tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and other ingredients used, as carb counts can vary between products.
Tips for a Low-Carb Bloody Mary
Here are some tips for lowering the carb count in a Bloody Mary:
- Use low-carb tomato juice or tomato-clam juice which has around 3 grams of carbs per serving.
- Opt for diet tonic water instead of regular tonic water.
- Use no-sugar-added Worcestershire sauce.
- Skip high-carb mix-ins like beans, fruit, or sweet peppers.
- Use vegetable sticks instead of crackers for dipping.
- Don’t add extra sugar or syrups.
- Ask for no carrot/celery rimmer on the glass.
With some simple swaps, you can enjoy a Bloody Mary with around 5 grams of net carbs or less.
Carb Count of Bloody Mary Mixes
Instead of making Bloody Marys from scratch, many people use pre-made Bloody Mary mixes. Here’s how these products compare in terms of carbs:
| Bloody Mary Mix (6 oz) | Total Carbs |
|---|---|
| McCormick Bloody Mary Mix | 6 g |
| Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix | 4 g |
| Mr & Mrs T Bloody Mary Mix | 2 g |
| Jimmy’s Bloody Mary Mix | 2 g |
As you can see, carb content can vary widely among commercial Bloody Mary mixes, from 2-6 grams per serving. Check the nutrition labels and opt for a brand with lower carbs to minimize the carb impact.
The Best Low-Carb Bloody Mary Recipes
To make a delicious Bloody Mary with minimal carbs, try these recipe ideas:
The Classic Bloody
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 4 oz low-carb tomato juice
- 1 tsp no-sugar Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce, black pepper, horseradish, and celery salt to taste
Blend all ingredients together over ice. Garnish with celery stick and lemon wedge.
Bloody Maria
- 1.5 oz tequila
- 3 oz low-carb tomato juice
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Hot sauce and celery salt to taste
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into glass rimmed with chili-salt. Garnish with lime wedge.
Bloody Caesar
- 1.5 vodka oz
- 4 oz low-carb tomato-clam juice
- 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- Rim glass with celery salt
Stir ingredients with ice and garnish with celery stalk. Popular Canadian twist on the Bloody Mary!
Does Tomato Juice Have Carbs?
Yes, tomato juice contains natural sugars and carbohydrates. A 6 oz serving of regular tomato juice has around 9 grams of carbs, 7 grams from natural sugars.
Low-carb tomato juice options have around 3-5 grams of carbs per serving. The carbs come from the tomatoes themselves.
While tomato juice adds great flavor, you can make a Bloody Mary nearly carb-free by using zero-carb options like:
- V8 Low Sodium Tomato Juice
- Tumaro’s Low Carb Tomato Juice
- Carbquik Tomato Juice Mix
Or try making “faux” tomato juice by blending tomatoes with broth, vinegar, and spices for a flavorful liquid with minimal carbs.
Carb Counts for Other Common Bloody Mary Ingredients
Beyond tomato juice, other Bloody Mary ingredients can also contribute small amounts of carbs. Here are the counts for popular add-ins:
| Ingredient | Carbs per Serving |
|---|---|
| Worcestershire sauce (1 tsp) | 1 gram |
| Horseradish (1 tsp) | 1 gram |
| Lemon juice (1 tbsp) | 1 gram |
| Celery (2 stalks) | 1 gram |
| Olives (5 large) | 2 grams |
| Bacon (2 slices) | 0 grams |
As you can see, small amounts of most add-ins only contribute negligible carbs. Load up your Bloody Mary with zero-carb ingredients like bacon, steak, cheese, shrimp, pickles, or peppers to add flavor and texture while keeping carbs low.
Low-Carb Alcohol Options
While vodka is the traditional spirit used for Bloody Marys, you can use other low-carb alcohols too:
- Gin – Has the same carb count as vodka. Use in place of vodka for a “Bloody Fairy.”
- Tequila – Also carb-free and perfect for a “Bloody Maria.”
- Rum – Spiced rum adds nice flavor to a “Bloody Pirate.”
- Whiskey – Add bourbon or rye whiskey for a “Bloody Highlander.”
For lowest carbs, opt for straight liquors instead of liqueurs, which often contain added sugars. Avoid high-carb mixers like fruit juices, regular sodas, or tonic water.
Is a Bloody Mary Keto-Friendly?
A Bloody Mary can definitely fit into a keto diet when made with low-carb ingredients. Stick to keto-approved foods like:
- Low-carb tomato juice or tomato-clam juice
- Vodka, gin, tequila, rum, or whiskey
- Diet tonic water
- No-sugar hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce
- Horseradish, spices, and salt for flavor
- Lemon, lime, olives, bacon, celery for garnish
Avoid high-carb additions like fruit, juice, soda, syrups, or sugar on the rim of the glass. With smart ingredient choices, you can definitely enjoy Bloody Marys on a keto, low-carb or diabetic diet.
Bloody Mary Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for a typical Bloody Mary made with 1.5 oz vodka, 4 oz tomato juice, and standard flavorings:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 85 |
| Fat | 0g |
| Carbs | 5g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Protein | 1g |
As you can see, a standard Bloody Mary is low in calories, fat, carbs, and protein. Most of the calories come from the alcohol itself.
With low-carb tomato juice and no sugary additions, you can bring the carb count down even further to under 5 grams per drink.
Health Benefits of Bloody Mary Ingredients
Beyond being low in carbs and calories, some ingredients in a Bloody Mary provide health benefits:
- Tomatoes – Rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that may promote heart health.
- Celery – Contains luteolin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory effects.
- Horseradish – Has compounds that may clear sinus congestion and improve blood flow.
- Spices – Pepper, chili, and Worcestershire sauce have anti-inflammatory properties.
So while the vodka itself has no nutrition, the vegetable juice, herbs, and spices make a Bloody Mary somewhat of a “healthier” cocktail option.
Ready-to-Drink Bloody Mary Beverages
For a convenient grab-and-go option, several companies make canned or bottled Bloody Mary beverages. Here are some of the most popular shelf-stable options:
- Zing Zang Bloody Mary – 12 oz can has 140 calories and 3g net carbs.
- Mr & Mrs T Bloody Mary Mix – 16 oz bottle with 60 calories and 2g carbs per serving.
- McCormick Premium Bloody Mary Cocktail – 11.2 oz can with 120 calories and 4g carbs.
- World Market Bloody Mary Cocktail – 12 oz can, 80 calories and 2g net carbs.
Check labels for carb counts, as ready-to-drink options can vary. Diluting with vodka will increase alcohol content but won’t affect the carb amount.
Low-Carb Bloody Mary Recipe Roundup
Here are some top-rated low-carb Bloody Mary recipes to try:
Classic Keto Bloody Mary
This no-fuss Bloody Mary from Wholesome Yum sticks to keto basics. Just vodka, low-carb tomato juice, spices, and flavorings for an easy 4g net carbs per serving.
Everything Bagel Bloody Mary
This creative recipe from TwoSleevers gets “everything bagel” flavor from additions like garlic, onion, sesame seeds, and cream cheese. Each serving has just 3g net carbs.
Jalapeño Bloody Mary
Spice up your Bloody with this recipe fromruled.me. It uses jalapeño-infused vodka along with hot sauce and chili seasoning for a fiery 4g net carbs per drink.
Keto Bloody Mary Bars
These Bloody Mary “sushi rolls” from Joy Filled Eats are perfect for brunch. Layers of cheese, bacon, olives, pickles, and baby corn keep each roll under 5g net carbs.
Low-Carb Bloody Mary: The Bottom Line
A Bloody Mary made with low-carb ingredients can easily fit into a keto, low-carb, or diabetic eating plan. With some simple swaps like low-sugar tomato juice and skipping high-carb garnishes, you can enjoy this savory cocktail without going overboard on carbs.
Aim for around 5 grams of net carbs or less per drink by being mindful about ingredients. Vodka and other straight liquors are carb-free, so the biggest variable is the tomato juice. Look for low-carb brands, or make your own “faux” juice.
Finally, go easy on high-carb mix-ins like beans, fruit, sweet peppers, or sugary rimmers. Load up on keto-friendly add-ins like bacon, cheese, pickles, and veggie skewers instead. With smart choices, a Bloody Mary can absolutely be low-carb and delicious.