Bloody Marys and Clamatos are two popular tomato-based alcoholic drinks. Both are made with tomato juice and vodka, leading some to believe they are the same thing. However, there are some key differences between traditional Bloody Mary mix and Clamato juice.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ingredients, flavors, and uses of Bloody Mary mix versus Clamato. We’ll compare and contrast the two, so you understand exactly how they differ. We’ll also provide recipes so you can taste the distinction for yourself.
What is Bloody Mary Mix?
A Bloody Mary is a cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and other spices and flavorings like horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, black pepper, celery salt, and lemon juice. It may also contain vegetables like celery stalks or olives for garnish.
The term “Bloody Mary mix” refers to a pre-made mix containing tomato juice and all the spices needed to create the signature Bloody Mary flavor. This allows you to simply add your own vodka and garnishes.
Here are some key ingredients commonly found in Bloody Mary mix:
Tomato Juice
The base of a Bloody Mary is tomato juice. The tomato juice provides the signature red color as well as tomato flavor.
Horseradish
Horseradish is a spicy root that adds a punch of heat and pungency. It’s a key ingredient that sets a Bloody Mary apart from just a vodka tomato juice cocktail.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce brings umami, sweet, and tangy flavors. It’s made from fermented anchovies, vinegar, molasses, and other ingredients.
Hot Sauces
A variety of hot sauces like Tabasco add heat and vinegary tartness.
Black Pepper
Fresh cracked black pepper adds spice.
Celery Salt
Celery salt provides both salty and herbaceous notes.
Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon brightens up the flavor.
So in summary, traditional Bloody Mary mix contains tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauces, black pepper, celery salt, and lemon juice as core ingredients. It has a strong tomato flavor along with spicy, tangy, savory, and tart notes.
What is Clamato Juice?
Clamato is a portmanteau of “clam” and “tomato.” As the name suggests, it’s made with both clam juice and tomato juice.
Clamato was invented in the 1960s by Mott’s, which remains the most popular brand today. It was originally marketed as a hangover cure but soon became popular for mixing cocktails like the Clamato Chelada.
Here are some key ingredients in Clamato juice:
Tomato Juice
Like Bloody Mary mix, the base is tomato juice for color and flavor.
Clam Juice
Clam juice provides savory, briny, and umami notes. The clam juice gives it a more seafood-like taste.
Vegetable Juice
Some brands use vegetable juices like carrot and celery juice for extra flavor complexity.
Spices
Clamato has a blend of spices like black pepper, celery seed, sea salt, and paprika.
So in summary, Clamato juice contains tomato juice plus clam juice, vegetable juices, and spices. It has a lighter and cleaner taste compared to a Bloody Mary, with more prominent seafood and vegetable flavors.
Nutritional Comparison
Here is a nutritional comparison between 6 ounces of Bloody Mary mix and Clamato juice:
| Nutrient | Bloody Mary Mix | Clamato Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 45 | 40 |
| Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 750mg | 460mg |
| Potassium | 540mg | 500mg |
| Carbs | 9g | 9g |
| Sugar | 6g | 7g |
| Protein | 2g | 2g |
As you can see, the nutritional profiles of Bloody Mary mix and Clamato juice are fairly similar. The main differences are Bloody Mary mix contains more sodium while Clamato juice contains more sugars.
Flavor Profiles
Now let’s compare the overall flavor profiles of Bloody Mary Mix versus Clamato Juice:
Bloody Mary Mix
- Robust tomato flavor
- Sharp horseradish bite
- Umami from Worcestershire sauce
- Heat from Tabasco and black pepper
- Tartness from lemon juice
- Savory taste of celery salt
- Thick and bold seasoning
Clamato Juice
- Mild tomato profile
- Briny clam juice flavor
- Vegetable sweetness
- Savory spices
- Clean and refreshing
- Subtle overall flavor
As you can see, Bloody Mary mix has a much bolder, spicier taste compared to the more subtle flavors of Clamato.
How They Are Used in Drinks
Bloody Mary mix and Clamato juice are used in similar ways to create alcoholic drinks, but result in different flavors:
Bloody Mary
A Bloody Mary is made by combining Bloody Mary mix with vodka and serving over ice with garnishes like celery, olives, lemon wedges, etc. This gives you the full-flavored Bloody Mary cocktail known for its tomato richness and spicy kick.
Clamato Chelada
A Chelada is made by mixing Clamato with beer and serving over ice with lime. The Clamato adds a light salty, briny flavor to beer. Sometimes Worcestershire sauce or hot sauces are added to make a spicier michelada version.
Caesar
A Caesar is Canada’s version of the Bloody Mary, made with Clamato instead of tomato juice for a cleaner, clam-flavored drink. Vodka, spices, and garnish are added.
So in cocktails, the choice of Bloody Mary mix versus Clamato makes a big difference in the intensity of tomato flavor versus clam brininess you’ll taste. Bloody Mary is bolder while drinks made with Clamato are more refreshing.
Homemade Mixes
You can make easy homemade versions of Bloody Mary mix and Clamato juice at home with simple ingredients:
Homemade Bloody Mary Mix
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon horseradish
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1⁄2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
Combine all ingredients, adjusting amounts to taste preferences. Shake or stir well and store chilled until ready to use.
Homemade Clamato Juice
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 1 cup clam juice
- 1⁄4 cup vegetable juice like carrot or celery
- 1⁄2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1⁄2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1⁄4 teaspoon celery salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
- Dash of paprika
Stir together all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Adjust seasoning if needed. Refrigerate until ready to use in cocktails.
Making your own mixes allows you to control the exact flavor and spice level.
Price Comparison
Here is a price comparison between store-bought Bloody Mary mix and Clamato juice:
| Product | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| McCormick Bloody Mary Mix | 32 oz | $3.99 |
| Mr & Mrs T Bloody Mary Mix | 32 oz | $4.99 |
| Jimmy’s Bloody Mary Mix | 32 oz | $9.99 |
| Mott’s Clamato | 48 oz | $3.69 |
| Campbell’s Clamato | 48 oz | $3.29 |
| Chelada Clamato Picante | 32 oz | $3.99 |
On average, Bloody Mary mix costs about $1-2 more per 32 oz compared to Clamato juice per 48 oz. However, you can find generic brands of both products for around $3. So there is not a major price difference between the two.
Conclusion
In summary, here are the key differences between Bloody Mary mix and Clamato juice:
- Bloody Mary mix has a bolder tomato flavor while Clamato has a milder tomato profile.
- Clamato contains clam juice which gives it a briny, seafood taste.
- Bloody Mary mix is more heavily spiced with horseradish, hot sauce, and pepper.
- Clamato has a cleaner, crisper flavor.
- A Bloody Mary highlights the flavors of a Bloody Mary mix. A Chelada or Caesar highlights the clam taste of Clamato.
- While their ingredients differ, their nutritional profiles are fairly similar.
- Both can be easily made at home to control flavors and spice level.
- Bloody Mary mix and Clamato juice are typically around the same price point.
So while Bloody Mary mix and Clamato juice both contain tomato juice and work well in cocktails, they have distinct ingredients, flavors, and uses. The choice depends on whether you want a strong tomato-horseradish profile (Bloody Mary) or a lighter clam and vegetable profile (Clamato). Whichever you choose, they make tasty brunch cocktails!