Forget a Bloody Mary—try a Bloody Maria instead! Swap tequila for the vodka, and add a little smoky chipotle in adobo for a killer brunch drink that pairs perfectly with Mexican food.

Photography Credit: Alison Bickel

The Bloody Mary is a classic brunch cocktail made with tomato juice, vodka, savory flavorings, and spice. But take any classic drink, and you’re sure to find a million riffs, often starting with a swap of the cocktail’s base spirit.

Here, the Bloody Mary goes to Mexico and opts for tequila instead of vodka, with layers of smoky chipotle in adobo. Fresh orange juice and zest add sunny flavors, while a few ounces of crisp beer make the drink a bit lighter and more refreshing.

Basically, this is the perfect cocktail for sipping with breakfast tacos, huevos rancheros, or chilaquiles!

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WHAT KIND OF TEQUILA SHOULD I USE IN A BLOODY MARY?

I like blanco tequila in this, since it offers crisp, clear, grassy-herbal flavors. You can use whatever you’d put in a Paloma. (Go for one that’s made with 100% agave—not a mixto tequila distilled from a mix of agave and sugar.)

A few favorite brands include Tapatio, Olmeca Altos, Tequila Ocho, Azteca Azul, Arette, Siembra Azul, and Calle 23. You can also use reposado tequila in a Bloody Maria, but it’ll be a bit more mellow.

If you can’t find those, any mid-range or top shelf brand will do.

CAN I MAKE BLOODY MARIAS IN ADVANCE?

Yes, a good host is always prepared with a pitcher of drinks ready to go!

You can mix the tomato juice, blanco tequila, hot sauce, adobo sauce, and soy sauce up to 24 hours in advance—and you definitely should get started at least two hours in advance, so the mixture will be properly chilled. Popping your tomato juice and tequila in the fridge the night before is a good call, too.

It’s best, though, not to juice your citrus until about an hour before serving—orange and lemon juices will oxidize and taste off if they sit too long after juicing.

WHAT KIND OF GLASS SHOULD I USE?

Any tall glass will work, but I like pint glasses for this.

HOW SPICY IS THIS DRINK?

The base recipe is medium-spicy, but you can add more hot sauce if you like!

HOW SHOULD I GARNISH A BLOODY MARIA?

You do you! Some people like a simple Bloody Maria with just a citrus wedge, but feel free to load it up with fresh cilantro and skewers of cocktail onions, pickled carrots, crisp radishes, crunchy, tart tomatillos, or whatever your heart desires.

If you can figure out how to balance a taco on top of the drink, more power to you.

MEXICAN RECIPES THAT GO GREAT WITH THIS DRINK!