bloody mary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “bloody mary” mean?
A cocktail made with vodka, tomato juice, and various seasonings, typically served in a tall glass.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cocktail made with vodka, tomato juice, and various seasonings, typically served in a tall glass.
A nickname for the ghost or spirit of Mary I of England; a term for a hangover remedy; a spicy tomato-based drink.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'bloody' is a mild swear word, which can add a humorous or slightly taboo connotation to the drink name. In the US, it's simply the cocktail name without that linguistic association.
Connotations
UK: May carry slight humorous vulgarity due to 'bloody'. US: Neutral culinary term.
Frequency
Equally common as a cocktail name in both regions. The historical reference to Mary I is more likely in UK contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bloody mary” in a Sentence
[Subject] ordered a Bloody Mary.[Subject] is drinking a Bloody Mary.Let's have Bloody Marys.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bloody mary” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We should bloody mary it up with some extra Worcestershire sauce.
- He's bloody marying the mix with too much pepper.
American English
- Let's Bloody Mary our way through brunch.
- She Bloody Mary'd the cocktail with extra horseradish.
adverb
British English
- He drank his tomato juice Bloody Mary-style.
- She prepared it Bloody Mary-ish, with lots of celery.
American English
- They served the oysters Bloody Mary-style, with a spicy tomato garnish.
- Make it Bloody Mary-strong with extra vodka.
adjective
British English
- That's a very Bloody Mary sort of morning.
- He's in a Bloody Mary mood – needs something spicy.
American English
- It's a Bloody Mary kind of day.
- She ordered the Bloody Mary burger with spicy tomato relish.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in hospitality/tourism contexts (e.g., 'Our bar serves fifteen variations of Bloody Mary').
Academic
Rare, except in historical studies of Mary I or culinary studies.
Everyday
Common in social/dining contexts, especially for brunch or as a hangover remedy.
Technical
Used in mixology/bartending with precise recipes and specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bloody mary”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bloody mary”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bloody mary”
- Misspelling as 'Bloody Merry'.
- Using lowercase inconsistently (often capitalized as a proper noun).
- Confusing with 'Virgin Mary' (the non-alcoholic version).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a non-alcoholic version is called a 'Virgin Mary'.
The origin is debated; it may be named after Queen Mary I of England, or a Chicago bartender's customer named Mary.
A Bloody Mary uses vodka and is primarily tomato-based, while a Michelada is a Mexican beer cocktail with tomato juice, lime, and spices.
Yes, when referring specifically to the cocktail as a proper name, it is typically capitalized. In general informal use, lowercase is also seen.
A cocktail made with vodka, tomato juice, and various seasonings, typically served in a tall glass.
Bloody mary is usually informal in register.
Bloody mary: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblʌdi ˈmeəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblʌdi ˈmɛri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bloody Mary (game) – a supernatural summoning game involving chanting in front of a mirror.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Bloody' (red like tomato juice) + 'Mary' (a common name) = a red cocktail.
Conceptual Metaphor
RED IS VIGOR/SPICE (the red drink is invigorating or spicy).
Practice
Quiz
Which ingredient is NOT standard in a classic Bloody Mary?