How Many Calories in a Bloody Mary Cocktail ?

A standard Bloody Mary contains between 120 and 150 calories. That number climbs to 150-180 with classic garnishes like celery and olives. The range exists because vodka amount, mix choice, and what you stack on top all shift the total. Here’s exactly where those calories come from and what actually matters when you’re keeping track.

The Standard Bloody Mary: Calorie Breakdown

A basic Bloody Mary built with 1.5 to 2 oz of vodka, 6 oz of tomato juice, and a splash of mix lands at 120-150 calories before garnishes. The vodka carries most of that weight. At 96 calories per 1.5 oz shot, or 128 calories for a full 2 oz pour, alcohol accounts for roughly 75-85% of your total count.

Tomato juice adds another 30-40 calories for a standard 6 oz serving. It’s not nothing, but compared to the vodka, it barely registers. The Bloody Mary mix itself, which includes Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, horseradish, and spices, contributes only 5-15 calories depending on the brand or homemade recipe you use.

Lemon or lime juice finishes the base at 3-5 calories per wedge squeeze. At this stage, before any garnishes, you’re sitting at 120-150 calories total. That’s comparable to a glass of wine and lower than most craft cocktails.

What Makes the Calorie Count Vary

Vodka Pour Size

The single biggest variable in any Bloody Mary is how much vodka goes into the glass. A measured 1.5 oz shot gives you 96 calories. Bump that to a standard 2 oz pour and you’re at 128 calories. Bartenders pouring free-hand at brunch spots often lean generous, sometimes reaching 2.5 oz or more, which pushes vodka alone past 160 calories.

If you’re making drinks at home, measure. If you’re ordering out, know that the calorie count printed on a menu usually assumes a lighter pour than what you might actually get.

Premade Mix vs. Fresh Ingredients

Store-bought Bloody Mary mixes vary wildly in their calorie content. Some brands keep it lean at 10-20 calories per serving. Others add sugar, thickeners, or tomato paste concentrates that can push a single serving closer to 40-50 calories. Check the label if you’re buying bottled mix.

Fresh tomato juice typically stays lower on the calorie scale and gives you cleaner ingredient control. Building your own mix from scratch with Worcestershire, Tabasco, horseradish, celery salt, and black pepper keeps calories minimal while maximizing flavor.

The Garnish Game

Classic garnishes like a celery stick, lemon wedge, and two or three olives add roughly 20-30 calories total. That’s manageable. A celery spear weighs in at 6 calories. Olives hover around 5-7 calories each. A pickled vegetable or cocktail onion adds another 3-5 calories.

The trouble starts when Bloody Marys turn into vertical meals. A bacon strip tacks on 43 calories. A shrimp skewer adds 30-50 calories depending on size. Cheese cubes, sliders, chicken wings, or any other protein-heavy garnish can easily double or triple your drink’s calorie count. If you’re watching numbers, keep garnishes simple or save the extravagant builds for special occasions.

Bloody Mary vs. Other Brunch Cocktails

A Bloody Mary sits comfortably in the middle range when stacked against other brunch favorites. A mimosa made with equal parts champagne and orange juice lands at 100-150 calories. A Bellini clocks in around 120-160 calories. Both are lighter, but they’re also sweeter and less filling.

A margarita, depending on mix quality and size, easily hits 200-300 calories. A Paloma made with tequila and grapefruit soda typically ranges from 150-200 calories. Compared to these, the Bloody Mary offers more substance without excessive sugar.

The added benefit? Tomato juice delivers lycopene, vitamin C, and vitamin A. It’s not a health drink, but it’s more nutritionally dense than most cocktails that rely purely on fruit juice or soda.

How to Keep Your Bloody Mary Light

Stick to a measured 1.5 oz pour of vodka. That’s the easiest way to control the bulk of your calorie intake without sacrificing the drink’s backbone.

Choose low-sodium tomato juice or a lighter premade mix. Many brands now offer versions with reduced sugar and sodium that still deliver full flavor.

Skip the heavy garnishes or treat them as an occasional indulgence. A simple celery stick and lemon wedge keep things clean without adding much to the count.

Make your own mix when possible. Homemade versions let you control exactly what goes in, avoiding hidden sugars or unnecessary thickeners that some commercial mixes rely on.

The Bottom Line

A standard Bloody Mary made with 1.5-2 oz of vodka, tomato juice, and basic garnishes comes in at 120-180 calories. That’s reasonable for a brunch cocktail, especially one that feels more substantial than a mimosa. Most of the calorie load comes directly from the vodka, not the tomato juice or spices. Keep your garnishes simple if you’re counting, but don’t overthink it. The drink itself won’t wreck your day.