Love a Bloody Mary but want to give it a healthy and fresh new spin? This Paleo-friendly mocktail delivers all the rich, savory goodness without compromising on flavor. Indulgent, nutrient-packed, and brimming with functional benefits, it’s the perfect sip for a brunch date, post-workout recovery, or midday pick me up.
Why This Bloody Mary Mocktail Is a Game Changer
- Tomato Juice: More than just a base, it’s a lycopene-loaded powerhouse. Lycopene, a potent antioxidant, is linked to heart health and reduced oxidative stress¹—so every sip does more than satisfy your taste buds.
- Lemon Juice: It’s zesty, refreshing, and bursting with immune-boosting vitamin C.2
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Not just for salads, ACV may aid digestion and blood sugar balance3 while adding a tangy depth of flavor.
No Junk, All Flavor
Forget store-bought mixes with hidden sugars, preservatives, and salt overload. This version ditches Worcestershire sauce (which sneaks in soy and sugar) in favor of Paleo-approved umami from fresh horseradish and apple cider vinegar. The rim? A bold, smoky blend of celery seed and paprika—no artificial ingredients needed.
The beauty of the Bloody Mary is that it is such a flexible beverage that you can really tailor to your exact tastes. Experiment with the spice levels or add your own unique ingredients to make it your own. You could even set up a Bloody Mary bar the next time you host brunch to let your guests add a variety of healthy toppings to their liking. See our tips below for ideas on how to tweak the flavors or increase nutritional benefits.
TIPS:
- For a more fully infused flavor, chill your Bloody Mary mix in the refrigerator for anywhere from 1 hour to overnight. (This blend can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.)
- Garnish like a pro: Try veggies, cucumber spears, or a pinch of grated turmeric for an anti-inflammatory boost.
- Have more time to DIY and want to maximize the lycopene content of your Bloody Mary Mocktail? Make your own tomato juice from tomatoes that you’ve simmered on medium-low heat for up to 30 minutes.4
- For a bigger kick, add ground chili flakes to the spice mix when preparing the rim.
Dietary Restriction: Because tomatoes are not part of an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet, this recipe is not AIP friendly.
Love our recipes? Make going Paleo even easier and download our 7-Day, 14-Day, and 28-Day digital meal plans!
References:
- Cheng, H. M., Koutsidis, G., Lodge, J. K., Ashor, A. W., Siervo, M., & Lara, J. (2019). Lycopene and tomato and risk of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 59(1), 141–158. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2017.1362630
- Martí, N., Mena, P., Cánovas, J. A., Micol, V., & Saura, D. (2009). Vitamin C and the role of citrus juices as functional food. Natural product communications, 4(5), 677–700. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19445318/
- Tehrani, S. D., Keshani, M., Rouhani, M. H., Moallem, S. A., Bagherniya, M., & Sahebkar, A. (2023). The effects of apple cider vinegar on cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Current medicinal chemistry, 10.2174/0929867331666230822102021. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867331666230822102021
- Dewanto, V., Wu, X., Adom, K. K., & Liu, R. H. (2002). Thermal processing enhances the nutritional value of tomatoes by increasing total antioxidant activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 50(10), 3010–3014. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0115589
Bloody Mary Mocktail
- Recipe by: Brian Keenan, ND, DOM
- Serves: 4
- Meal: Beverage
- Serves: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups no-salt added tomato juice, chilled
1/4 cups fresh lemon juice
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp fresh horseradish, grated and peeled
1/2 tsp low-sodium hot sauce
1/2 tsp ground celery seed, plus more for rimming glasses
1/2 tsp ground paprika, plus more for rimming glasses
1/8 tsp crushed black pepper
1 lemon, sliced into wedges
2 stalks celery, halved crosswise
Cocktail onions, optional
Directions
In a large shaker, combine tomato juice, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, horseradish, hot sauce, celery seed, paprika, and black pepper. Shake well (without ice) to blend the flavors thoroughly.
Strain mixture into a Mason jar or pitcher if making multiple batches at once.
Prepare spice rims: On a small plate, combine equal parts ground celery seed and paprika. Cut a small notch in 1 lemon wedge and rub it along the rim of each glass. Dip the rim into the mixture to coat evenly, shaking off any excess.
Pour about ½ cup of the Bloody Mary mix into each prepared glass. Fill with ice and stir gently to combine.
Garnish with celery, a lemon wedge, and a cocktail onion on a pick.
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