Archive for August 31, 2026

Summit, WI: Highwater Bar & Grill

Posted: August 31, 2026 in Uncategorized
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Sometimes a Bloody Mary starts with a drink, and sometimes it starts with spotting a bar from your paddleboard and deciding you need to come back. That was the case with Highwater Bar & Grill on Upper Nemahbin Lake.

We spotted the bar from the water while paddleboarding and immediately made a mental note to stop. The only problem? We didn’t have our wallets with us. So once we were done on the lake, we made it a point to drive over and check it out.

The Bloody Mary was simple but delicious. It came with a pickle and two olives, along with a beer chaser. No giant skewer or over-the-top garnish—just a straightforward Bloody that let the mix do the work.

And at only $7, it was an excellent value. The flavor was really good, and the relaxed lake atmosphere made it even better. When we stopped in, rugby was playing on the TV, which added to the casual, laid-back bar feel.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Really good flavor
• Fixin’s: Pickle, two olives
• Chaser: Beer chaser
• Presentation: Simple and classic
• Price: $7

If you’re out on Upper Nemahbin Lake, keep Highwater Bar & Grill in mind. We literally spotted it from the water and went back specifically to try the Bloody—and I’m glad we did. Sometimes the best Bloody Mary stops are the ones you discover along the way.

Oconomowoc, WI: Stolley’s Hog Alley

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Tucked between Upper and Lower Nemahbin Lake, just off I-94, Stolley’s Hogg Alley is one of those classic Wisconsin bar-and-grill spots that feels like it has been there forever. With its laid-back, up-north atmosphere and genuinely welcoming vibe, it’s the kind of place where you can picture settling in for a drink, some food, and a little time with the locals.

Their Bloody Mary was a really pleasant surprise. For $10, it came with a beer chaser and a fun lineup of fixin’s: half a pretzel rod, several pieces of sausage, a piece of cheese, a pickle, and an olive. It’s not the biggest garnish I’ve seen, but there was plenty there to snack on.

The real standout, though, was the mix. It had a really interesting flavor that almost made us wonder if there was some kind of seafood or Clamato involved. Naturally, we asked the bartender, and she confirmed there was no seafood, Clamato, or anything along those lines. It was one of those Bloodies where you keep taking sips trying to figure out exactly what you’re tasting. Turns out it was a cucumber lime infused vodka that created a unique flavor that I really enjoyed.

And that’s what made this one memorable. The combination of a flavorful Bloody, a beer chaser, a few classic Wisconsin bar snacks, and the relaxed atmosphere made for a great overall experience.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Really flavorful with a unique, savory quality
• Fixin’s: Half a pretzel rod, sausage, cheese, pickle, olive
• Chaser: Beer chaser
• Presentation: Classic Wisconsin bar Bloody with a solid lineup of garnishes
• Price: $10

If you’re looking for a classic Wisconsin bar experience, Stolley’s Hogg Alley is worth a stop. You don’t have to be a biker to feel at home here—and you definitely don’t have to be a Bloody Mary expert to appreciate this one. The mix alone makes it worth trying.

Hartford, WI: The Pour House

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The Pour House on Main Street in Hartford, Wisconsin wins the award for cheapest Bloody Mary in this round of reviews—and at $4.50, you’re really not in a position to complain.

I ordered this one on a Sunday (let’s be real… at this price I ordered THREE!) and let’s just say you get what you pay for. There was no chaser, no lemon or lime, and no garnishes at all. It was essentially tomato juice and vodka, and I honestly don’t even know if anything else was mixed into it.

But here’s the thing: it was $4.50. At that price, who’s going to complain?

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Very basic—essentially tomato juice and vodka
• Fixin’s: None
• Chaser: None
• Presentation: About as basic as it gets
• Price: $4.50

Was this the best Bloody Mary I’ve ever had? Absolutely not. But was it worth $4.50 on a Sunday? Also absolutely. Sometimes you don’t need a gourmet cocktail—you just need a cheap drink, and The Poor House delivers exactly that.

Avalon, WI: Prairie Woods Golf Course

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Prairie Woods Golf Course in Avalon, Wisconsin served up a very average Bloody Mary—but sometimes average is still pretty satisfying, especially when it arrives in a giant glass.

This one was simple: a pickle, lemon, and lime, served in what felt like an extra-large portion. There was no beer chaser, but the sheer size of the glass certainly made up for some of that.

The flavor was nothing particularly memorable, but it was perfectly drinkable and did the job on the golf course.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Average, but enjoyable
• Fixin’s: Pickle, lemon, lime
• Chaser: None
• Presentation: Giant glass with simple garnishes
• Price: Approximately $9

Not every Bloody Mary is going to make the Hall of Fame, but a giant glass of one after a round of golf still isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Springfield, IL: Motorheads

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Motorheads Bar & Grill was a stop during my trip to Springfield for the Illinois State Fair, and this Bloody Mary was a very pleasant surprise.

It came with a salted rim and a simple but satisfying lineup of garnishes: a sweet pickle, olive, piece of salami, and cheese. The sweet pickle was a little different from the traditional dill I’m used to seeing on a Bloody Mary, but it worked—and we enjoyed it all the same.

The Bloody itself was very good and hit the spot after spending time exploring Springfield and the State Fair. Sometimes a Bloody doesn’t need a mountain of toppings to be memorable, and this one kept things simple while still delivering on flavor.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Very good and flavorful
• Fixin’s: Sweet pickle, olive, salami, cheese
• Chaser: None
• Presentation: Classic with a salted rim and traditional garnishes
• Price: Not listed

If you’re visiting Springfield, Motorheads is worth adding to your list, especially if you’re looking for a solid Bloody without all the unnecessary fuss.

Kewaskum, WI: Hon-E-Kor Golf Club

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Hon-E-Kor Golf Club in Kewaskum, Wisconsin is another example of a Bloody Mary that can hit the spot even when you’re drinking it out of a plastic cup at a golf event.

I had this one during a golf outing, so presentation was understandably pretty basic. It came with a pickle, an olive, two mushrooms, and lemon and lime. No chaser was offered, but honestly, the drink itself didn’t need much else.

The Bloody was delicious—a really enjoyable mix that made for a great companion during the outing. Since drinks were included with event tickets, I don’t know what the regular price would be, but I’m certainly not complaining about a complimentary Bloody on the golf course!

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Delicious and well-balanced
• Fixin’s: Pickle, olive, two mushrooms, lemon, lime
• Chaser: None
• Presentation: Plastic cup, appropriate for a golf outing
• Price: Unknown (included with event drink tickets)

Sometimes you don’t need an elaborate Bloody Mary to make an impression. A good mix, a few classic garnishes, and a golf outing are a pretty great combination.

West Allis, WI: Wisconsin State Fair (Pop’s)

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If you’re a Bloody Mary fan and a mac and cheese fan, the Bloody Mary Mac Daddy at Pop’s Paradise at the Wisconsin State Fair is pretty much made for you.

This was a 2026 Sporky entry, combining two Wisconsin State Fair favorites into one very indulgent dish. The creamy mac and cheese is infused with Pabst and reduced Bloody Mary mix, then topped with house-made Bloody Mary relish, chopped cheese, and a sprinkle of tomato powder. Basically, all the best parts of a Bloody Mary turned into comfort food.

And it was delicious. I liked it enough that I had it twice during my visits to the fair this year—which is saying something when there are approximately a million things to eat at the Wisconsin State Fair.

The Bloody Mary flavor was definitely there, but it didn’t overpower the mac and cheese. Instead, it added a savory, slightly tangy twist to an already rich and creamy dish. The Bloody Mary relish and tomato powder on top really helped bring the whole concept together.

At $16, it’s definitely a splurge for a serving of mac and cheese, but this is the State Fair, where calories don’t count and everything tastes better on a paper tray.

The Bloody Mary Mac Daddy

• Spices/Flavor: Creamy, savory, with a noticeable Bloody Mary-inspired kick
• Ingredients: Pabst-infused mac and cheese, reduced Bloody Mary mix, Bloody Mary relish, chopped cheese, tomato powder
• Presentation: Classic State Fair comfort food with a Bloody Mary twist
• Price: $16
• Sporky Entry: 2026

And one more Bloody Mary-related discovery at this year’s fair: Bloody Mary entries actually showed up in the food and vegetable competitions (Grand Champion Eats & Treats)! I’ve never noticed that before, and seeing them included among the entries definitely caught my attention. Maybe I’ll have to consider entering one myself someday…

If you’re at the Wisconsin State Fair and want to try something a little different, the Bloody Mary Mac Daddy is absolutely worth seeking out. I went back for it twice, so clearly it made an impression.