Tips for setting up this delicious Holiday Bloody Mary Bar with Spicy Maple Bacon at your next festive brunch!

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While it’s awesome to enjoy a delicious cocktail with dinner or for dessert, my favorite cocktail is actually a spicy Bloody Mary with my favorite brunch dishes on a Saturday or Sunday around noon. Summer 2018, we visited St. Petersburg, Florida for the first time, and we went to this fun brunch restaurant in the downtown area that made a Bloody Mary flight I could not resist. The flight included four different Bloody Mary varieties for just $9, but what was most important is that I learned an awesome lesson about making the perfect Bloody Mary that day — ditch the vodka and try a dry gin instead. I was never much of a gin drinker, but in a Bloody Mary, it is absolute perfection! Here is a fun way to put together a Holiday Bloody Mary Bar featuring my go-to Mr & Mrs T® Bloody Mary Mix to entertain guests with a tasty Spicy Maple Bacon that makes a delicious edible garnish for your merry cocktail.

Hover over the image below to purchase these items at Walmart.com to make this Holiday Bloody Mary Bar with only a few clicks!

To assemble the Holiday Bloody Mary Bar

There are so many choices to make when setting up a Holiday Bloody Mary Bar. Here are some of my pointers:

Offer two or more alcohol choices. Like I said above, I like gin in my Bloody Mary, but vodka is such a classic option. You can even try tequila which is a tasty twist on a traditional recipe.
Offer two or more mixer choices. I purchased the Mr & Mrs T® Bloody Mary Mix in Original and Bold and Spicy at my local Walmart. It is also available in Horseradish and Fiery Pepper. Each variety has a unique flavor that will add zing to your Bloody Mary!

Set out a shaker. Some people simply pour their cocktails, while others prefer to shake them. Set out a shaker
Make it look festive. I went with a traditional Christmas theme – forest green, bold red, and black and white checker. I kept the decor simple and elegant, but true to the holiday theme. Using glass jars to serve your drinks and a fun accents like the twine with cardboard trees and patterned paper straws adds to the whimsical appearance.

Add tasty garnishes. I like to pair my Bloody Mary cocktails with lots of delicious toppings. Some of my favorites include blue cheese stuffed olives, celery, hot sauce, seafood seasoning, and Spicy Maple Bacon. Check out that recipe below!

When your guests have prepared customized cocktails, have fun sipping them along with delicious brunch items. A Bloody Mary pairs so well with egg dishes, biscuits, shrimp cocktails, grilled cheese, and so many more tasty brunch specialties!

To make the Spicy Maple Bacon

Preheat your oven to 375°F. On a cookie sheet lined with a rack, lay half a pound of bacon in a single layer. Brush the top side with maple syrup, sprinkle with a great smoked chili powder like chipotle or ancho and black pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, flip the bacon, repeat the process of brushing with maple syrup and sprinkling with chili powder and black pepper, and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Allow the bacon to cool completely before moving it.
Head to Walmart where you can purchase a variety of ingredients to build your Holiday Bloody Mary Bar {or for any other Holiday needs!} I found the Mr & Mrs T® mixes conveniently in the mixer aisle. I suggest grabbing at least two varieties so you can really offer your guests the ability to customize their holiday cocktails. You can count on Walmart’s everyday low prices to make holiday shopping easy, whether you are buying gifts for family members or entertaining friends.