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Bloody Mary Prawns

This elegant Bloody Mary prawns recipe takes the classic flavours of the famous cocktail and transforms them into a sophisticated, diabetes-friendly appetiser. The combination of succulent prawns, crunchy celery, and zesty spring onions is brought to life with a punchy dressing of lemon juice, spicy horseradish, and a splash of vodka. It is a wonderfully light way to start a dinner party, offering a savoury kick that is both refreshing and satisfying without being heavy on sugar.

Perfect for entertaining, these bite-sized treats are traditionally served in Chinese soupspoons for a stylish presentation. Choosing high-quality prawns and fresh lemon ensures the cleanest flavours, while the addition of diced avocado provides a creamy contrast to the heat of the Tabasco. This dish is naturally low in fat and packed with lean protein, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious guests who don't want to compromise on bold, punchy flavour.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Bloody Mary Prawns

  • 450g medium prawns in shell, peeled and deveined

  • 150g thinly sliced celery (3 to 4 ribs)

  • 160g thinly sliced spring onions (about 6)

  • 80g ketchup

  • 60ml vodka (preferably Absolut Peppar)

  • 60ml fresh lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons bottled horseradish (not drained), or to taste

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco

  • Equipment: Chinese soupspoons

  • Garnish: diced avocado (optional)

How to make Bloody Mary Prawns

Bring a large saucepan of salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 1.9L water) to a boil. Add prawns, then remove from heat and let stand in water until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Cut prawns into thirds and transfer to a large bowl with celery and spring onions.

Whisk together all sauce ingredients, 1/4 teaspoons pepper, and 3/4 teaspoons salt, or to taste.

Just before serving, stir sauce into prawns mixture. Spoon 2 prawns pieces with vegetables and sauce into each soupspoon and arrange spoons on a platter.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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