Bacon Wrapped Bloody Mary Pickle Shots

Bacon Wrapped Pickle Bloody Mary shots are one of the most delicious cocktails I've ever tried, and make a fun option for brunch, BBQs, and any special occasion. Many of us already liked to add a pickle spear to our Bloody Marys, but this recipe takes Bloody Mary pickles to a whole new level. They're smoky, tangy, and a blast of flavor!

bacon wrapped pickle shot glasses filled with bloody mary mix and whiskey on a wooden cutting board.

I know this looks like an odd combination (and a lot of work), but believe me, these pickle shots are so worth it! This recipe reminds me of a fun annual trip each year to California. Every February, a number of food social media content creators head out to California to celebrate the birthday of our good friend Tone of TFTIBBQ.

It's always a great time seeing everyone, and we often end up making and recording a bunch of new recipes together. One year, my friend Matt of Cabezon_BBQ mentioned that he had an idea for a bacon wrapped pickle cocktail idea and asked if I’d be interested in taking part. We spent a day or so bouncing ideas off one another, then finally came up with this ultimate brunch item!

Since it was a party, we had Gold Bar Whiskey and Bear and Burtons Blood Mary mix on hand, so we used these products, and they turned out great.

Prefer a more traditional Bloody Mary? Feel free to sub the whiskey for your favorite vodka.

There is no shortage of pickle-themed recipes here. If you're into dills, you're in the right place. Make sure to check out my Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dill Pickles or these Pickle Shots Stuffed with Bacon Cheeseburgers. They're both so good and just the start...There's a lot more where those came from!

What are Bloody Mary Pickle Shots?

Instead of serving a Bloody Mary out of a glass, this recipe incorporates those traditional flavors in one bite-sized, over-the-top treat. The pickles are carved into shot glasses, then wrapped with bacon and smoked, before filling with your favorite Bloody Mary mix and whiskey.

They're great for entertaining and technically count as a delicious snack (albeit a boozy one)!

Why you’ve got to try these Pickle Bloody Mary Shots

Major punch of pickle flavor - For real pickle lovers, it isn't enough to add some dill pickle juice; you need the whole thing!
Crispy, crunchy bacon - Sure, the bacon takes this Bloody Mary recipe over the top, but it also adds a savory flavor and crunch to make it more of a snack.
Perfect for entertaining - Bloody Marys are classic for brunch and breakfast, but these pickle Bloody Mary shots are a fun option for parties and late-night entertaining. They aren't intended to be sipped slowly with your waffles and bacon; they're meant to be downed then eaten as a snack and drink all-in-one.

Equipment

To make these pickle Bloody Mary shots, you’ll need:

Smoker
Cutting board
Small spoon, knife, or a corer tool to hollow out the pickles
Toothpicks

Ingredients

Whole Dill Pickles - These will flattened and cored so they can turn into little shot glasses (and then eaten).
Thin-sliced bacon strips - To wrap around the pickles to smoke.
Blazing Star Scorpion Seasoning - This adds lots of flavor and spice right away. Feel free to use your favorite BBQ rub or Bloody Mary seasoning.
Bloody Mary Mix - We used the Bloody Mary mix from Bear and Burtons. You can definitely DIY it and make your own with tomato juice and spices, but this makes it easier for entertaining.
Whiskey - Vodka is traditional, but whiskey makes a mean Bloody Mary. We used Gold Bar Whiskey.

Get the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.

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How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Bloody Mary Pickle Shots

Preheat your smoker to 400°F.
Cut each whole dill pickle in half lengthwise, and then trim a small portion from the rounded end of each half so that they can stand upright on a flat surface.
Hollow out the center of each pickle half using a small spoon or knife, creating a cavity that resembles a shot glass. Be sure to leave enough pickle flesh around the edges to maintain structure.
Wrap a half slice of bacon tightly around each prepared pickle half, ensuring that the bacon completely covers the pickle. Trim off any excess bacon and secure the bacon in place by inserting toothpicks through the ends.

hollowed out pickle shot glasses for bacon wrapped bloody mary shots.

Sprinkle Blazing Star Scorpion Rub Seasoning generously over the bacon-wrapped pickles, coating them evenly on all sides.
Place the bacon-wrapped pickles directly on the grill grates. Smoke the pickles at 400°F for 40-45 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispiness.
Remove and allow to cool slightly
Fill inside of pickle with 50/50 mix of whiskey and Bloody Mary mix. I like to add the whiskey first, then the Bloody Mary mix. Since the mix is heavier than the alcohol, it will sink and naturally mix together. Remember - these are shots, so they're quite boozy.
Garnish with another sprinkle of Scorpion Seasoning if desired.

Storing Suggestions

These pickle shots are intended to be enjoyed ASAP. They can be made within an hour or two of consuming, but I wouldn't prep them days in advance.

close up image of bacon wrapped bloody mary pickle shots on a wooden cutting board in front of a bottle of whiskey.

Tips & Variations

Use spicy pickles: For extra heat, use spicy dill pickles instead of regular dills. You can also add some extra chili powder.
Garnish: Technically, you could say that these pickle shots are already pretty well garnished, but you can always add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of black pepper, etc.
Make your own Bloody Mary mix: For convenience, I find it easier to use store-bought Bloody Mary mixture. But, it's not complicated to make your own with some tomato juice, lemon juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pickle brine, and celery salt.
Chill out: A good Bloody Mary starts will chilled ingredients. Keep the Bloody Mary mix and the whiskey in the fridge or a container filled with ice cubes to keep them nice and cold.

How to Serve

These pickle bloody Mary shots are a great option for your next brunch since, you know, they're basically breakfast, right? I like to pair them with all my breakfast faves, like Candied Bacon Waffles or these ridiculously good Breakfast Sliders.

FAQs

Do you have to wrap the pickle shots with bacon?

Technically, that's optional. If you're not a fan of bacon or need to shave down the prep time, you can skip that step. It does add a nice texture, though, and really brings the whole thing together.

Can you use whiskey for Bloody Mary shots?

Absolutely. I like how the earthier, spicier flavor of whiskey or bourbon works with the tomato juice and spices, but you can definitely use vodka, if you prefer.

Let's get cooking!

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