CROIX VALLEY: Bold n Spicy Bloody Mary Seasoning | 355ml (12oz) bottle

Turn Up The Volume On Your Bloody Mary

Down in Hudson, Wisconsin, the Croix Valley family didn't set out to reinvent brunch — they just got tired of watery, one-note Bloody Marys standing between them and a good cook-off morning. With nine World BBQ Championship titles between them, this crew knows how to layer heat and umami without losing balance, and that pitmaster instinct is exactly what went into this bottle. Bold n Spicy is built for people who want their Bloody Mary to fight back a little.

The flavour

Front: a rush of ripe tomato and cracked black pepper hits first, savoury and thick. Middle: horseradish and a slow-building chilli heat move in, backed by a garlic-and-worcestershire depth that rounds out the savoury profile. Finish: a warm, lingering pepper burn that sits on the back of the tongue and calls for another sip rather than a glass of water.

How to use it

• Shake well and pour over ice with your vodka (or go virgin) — 3-4 tablespoons per glass is a solid starting ratio, then adjust to taste
• Use it as the base for a big-batch Bloody Mary bar at your next brunch or footy morning — let guests build their own from there
• Splash into a michelada or bloody caesar for an instant savoury-spicy upgrade over plain tomato or clam juice
• Left-field use: whisk a spoonful into a steak marinade or burger mix — it's basically a seasoned tomato-chilli concentrate and works hard outside the glass

In the bottle

A deep brick-red, slightly cloudy liquid with visible flecks of cracked pepper and herbs suspended throughout — give it a firm shake before pouring, as the spices settle toward the base.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients (from the brand's label): Tomato Concentrate (tomatoes, sugar, water, spice, onion), Tapioca Syrup, Worcestershire Sauce (distilled vinegar, molasses, tamari [water, soybeans, salt, sugar, cornstarch], sugar, spices, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder), Balsamic Vinegar, Granulated Garlic, Herbs, Spice.

Contains: soy, mustard (as declared on the brand's label).

Dietary: Vegan, gluten free and no MSG (brand-stated) — always check the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

This mix doesn't tiptoe around brunch — real chilli heat, horseradish bite and a proper thick tomato base built to wake you up faster than the coffee will. Keep the fry-up honest by shaking Fancy Hanks Chicken Salt Seasoning over your bacon and eggs, so the whole plate matches what's in the glass. Pour it generous and sip slow — that pepper burn builds after the first mouthful, not before. Rim the glass with Misty Gully Chilli Salt if you want the heat on the outside too.

Questions answered

How spicy is the Bold n Spicy Bloody Mary Seasoning?

It's got a genuine chilli kick — noticeably spicier than a standard Bloody Mary mix, though not eye-wateringly hot. If you're heat-sensitive, start with less than you think and build from there.

Do I still need to add vodka or tomato juice?

This is a seasoning mix, not a pre-made cocktail — mix a few tablespoons into tomato juice (and vodka, if you like) rather than drinking it straight.

Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Croix Valley describes it as vegan and gluten free (it declares soy and mustard) — always check the physical label before assuming.