Posts Tagged ‘bloody Mary’

West Allis, WI: Natty Oaks

Posted: November 30, 2025 in Uncategorized
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If you’re looking for a no-frills, classic-style Bloody Mary, the version at Natty Oaks fits the bill—but doesn’t do much more. Served with a simple garnish lineup of a pickle, olive, lemon, and lime, it’s as basic as they come. The salted rim is a nice touch and adds a little extra flavor, but beyond that, there isn’t much to set this one apart.

The mix itself is straightforward and drinkable, but nothing memorable. No beer chaser was offered, which feels like a missed opportunity in Wisconsin, where a chaser is pretty much a state tradition. I wasn’t able to confirm the price, but based on the presentation and experience, this is a standard, bare-bones Bloody that gets the job done but won’t top any must-try lists.

If you’re already at Natty Oaks for food or drinks, it’s a fine option. But if you’re on the hunt for a standout or creative Bloody Mary, you’ll want to keep looking.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Classic, love a salted rim!

• Fixin’s: Olive, Pickle, Lime, Lemon

• Chaser: None

• Presentation: Simple, functional, cruise-perfect

• Price: Unsure

Norwegian Cruise Lines: Aboard the Joy for The Hallmark Christmas Cruise

Posted: November 21, 2025 in Uncategorized
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There’s something magical about sipping a Bloody Mary while floating in the ocean. I should know. Thanks to the drink package, I had several over the four days I sailed from Miami to Cozumel on the Hallmark Christmas Cruise aboard the Norwegian Joy. I bopped around to many of the ship’s bars and restaurants, including poolside, a pub, and a fine dining spot to test ‘em out.

These Bloodies were plain, simple, and consistent across the ship, but that’s all I needed. They had the perfect balance of flavor, olives, and lime, with just enough garnishing. My mom even discovered she enjoyed Virgin Bloody Marys, which was a fun twist.

Obviously, they tasted better when served in a glass, but even in disposable cups at the pool, they hit the mark. I’m not sure what mix Norwegian Cruise Lines uses, but it was decent, and these bloodies served their purpose perfectly on a trip full of holiday fun.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Classic, smooth, consistent

• Fixin’s: Olives, lime

• Chaser: None, but I had the drink package so I could’ve ordered one easily.

• Presentation: Simple, functional, cruise-perfect

• Price: Included in drink package

A cruise essential—these Bloody Marys weren’t fancy, but they were reliable, tasty, and exactly what you want at sea.

Catch of the Day: Miami, FL

Posted: November 21, 2025 in Uncategorized
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Miami, sun, and Bloody Marys—it’s the perfect trio. I stopped at Catch of the Day Seafood Bar & Grill for lunch and a Bloody Mary while soaking up some patio vibes.

This Bloody is made with Zing Zang mix and comes garnished with a jumbo shrimp, celery, olives, a wedge of lime, and supposedly a beef jerky straw. I didn’t get the jerky straw this time (a personal disappointment because those are amazing), but the carrot and celery were a nice substitute. The salted rim was a definite plus. Flavor-wise, it was solid, perfectly balanced, and refreshing under the Miami sun.

Price-wise, at $16.99, it’s on the higher side—but you’re paying for the view, atmosphere, and quality seafood lunch too. No chaser was offered, which isn’t surprising given the location. Overall, a very good Bloody Mary and a perfect companion to a sunny patio lunch.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Good, balanced, Zing Zang base

• Fixin’s: Jumbo shrimp, carrot, celery, lime, olives

• Chaser: None

• Presentation: Classic, patio-perfect

• Price: $16.99

If you’re in Miami and want a solid, classic Bloody Mary with a seafood twist, this is a great stop.

Grand Lux Cafe: Las Vegas, NV

Posted: October 27, 2025 in Uncategorized
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Vegas is known for over-the-top drinks, but this Bloody Mary at Grand Lux Café, located inside the Venetian… not so much.

We flew in on an early morning flight and were starving by the time we hit the Strip, so breakfast and Bloody Marys seemed like the perfect first stop. Unfortunately, this was a quick reminder that my long-standing opinion about Vegas Bloodies still holds true: Vegas simply lacks outstanding Bloody Marys.

I just don’t get it. In a place known for excess—flashy food, extravagant cocktails, and general overindulgence—you’d expect the Bloody Mary scene to be next-level. But time and time again, it’s the same story: basic, boring, and overpriced. I did spot a few more elaborate options, but at $40+ a pop? No thanks. Especially when so many people in this city are battling hangovers, you’d think there’d be a better Bloody Mary effort.

Maybe someday I’ll move out there and open a 24/7 build-your-own Bloody bar that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg… because clearly, there’s a market gap waiting to be filled.

The Bloody Mary: a salted rim, a stalk of celery, and maybe a hint of lime.

Flavor-wise, it was fine—nothing offensive, nothing memorable. And in Las Vegas, where every cocktail carries a hefty price tag, this one felt overpriced and underwhelming. Sometimes, simple isn’t synonymous with satisfying.

The Bloody Mary

  • Spices/Flavor: Mild, uninspired
  • Fixin’s: Celery, lime (maybe?)
  • Chaser: Not listed
  • Presentation: Simple, clean
  • Price: $$$ (Vegas standard)

A decent breakfast companion but far from the show-stopping Vegas experience you’d expect.

Perspective Brewing Co: West Allis, WI

Posted: October 27, 2025 in Uncategorized
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Perspective Brewing in West Allis isn’t your typical Bloody Mary destination—they’re a craft brewery. But a one-time special I happened to catch on Facebook this October in celebration of Spooky Season, called Sunday Bloody Sunday, was a feast.

The Bloody itself likely featured Cholula, not my favorite base, but honestly, the fixings stole the show. For $15, you got a build-your-own kit loaded with fixings: a deviled egg (dyed black and made with avocado), chicken salad on a cucumber slice with a little skull-shaped piece of mozzarella on top, trail mix, cheese, tortellini, and a variety of meats. You could then pick a chaser from any of Perspective’s offerings. I paired mine with a pumpkin beer chaser, complete with a whipped cream squirt, and it was Halloween-perfect, delicious, (and far better than any over-priced Vegas cocktail I had earlier this month).

The Bloody Mary

  • Spices/Flavor: Medium, Cholula-based
  • Fixin’s: Deviled egg, chicken salad on cucumber, trail mix, cheese, tortellini, meats
  • Chaser: Pumpkin beer with whipped cream
  • Presentation: Over-the-top, festive, build-your-own
  • Price: $15

If you want a Bloody Mary that doubles as brunch entertainment, keep an eye on their social pages for future specials—it’s a one-time experience you don’t want to miss.

Blondie’s Sports Bar & Grill: Las Vegas, NV

Posted: October 27, 2025 in Uncategorized
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Blondie’s Sports Bar & Grill, located inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood might just be one of Nevada’s best sports bars, and their Bloody Mary proves it… especially if you’re hunting for value.

This one came with a salted rim, a pepperoncini skewer, and is offered during a morning special for just $1.99 (between 7–11 a.m, Monday-Friday.). It’s not huge, but for that price, you can happily order multiples. The flavor is solid, the presentation simple, and it pairs perfectly with Blondie’s decent breakfast and bar menu. Definitely one of the best Bloody Mary deals in Las Vegas.

The Bloody Mary

  • Spices/Flavor: Solid, classic
  • Fixin’s: Pepperoncini skewer, salted rim
  • Chaser: Not listed
  • Presentation: Simple, classic sports bar
  • Price: $1.99 (morning special)

A steal for Vegas and worth a stop if you’re in the area early.

John Willard’s Bloody Mary Seasoning – Wisconsin

Posted: October 27, 2025 in Uncategorized
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Sometimes, a Bloody Mary isn’t a drink—it’s the secret weapon behind one. I discovered John Willard’s Bloody Mary Seasoning at the Brat Haus Golf Outing at Wanaki Golf Course, and it’s officially earned a spot in my home bar.

This isn’t your typical Bloody Mary review because, well… it’s a seasoning. But trust me, this little 10-ounce bottle packs punch. Made in Wisconsin, gluten-free, and “waking up friends since 1972,” it’s versatile enough to turn any vodka-and-tomato combo into a proper Bloody Mary masterpiece. Bonus: it also makes a killer steak rub, elevates grilled dishes, and can sneak into your cooking routine in so many ways. The flavor is robust, savory, and perfectly balanced. I left the outing with a bottle in hand, and it’s already becoming a staple.

The Bloody Mary (from a bottle!)

  • Spices/Flavor: Bold, savory, versatile
  • Fixin’s: Up to you—seasoning allows full creativity
  • Chaser: None required; your drink is only limited by imagination
  • Presentation: DIY perfection
  • Price: $14 for 10 oz from the company website; you can also find it select local grocery stores.

A great addition to any Bloody Mary lover’s arsenal. Consider it your secret weapon.

Brookfield, WI: Elbow Room

Posted: September 14, 2025 in Uncategorized
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I’d been meaning to check out Elbow Room in Brookfield for awhile after hearing good things about their Bloody Marys. With downtown Brookfield finally growing—shoutout to the new Vennture Brewing—I figured it was the perfect Saturday to make it happen.

We kicked things off at Vennture’s Pickle Palooza (fun, but I was disappointed there wasn’t a Bloody Mary element—missed opportunity, if you ask me). After a pickle marg, we walked down the street to Elbow Room.

No Bloody Mary was listed on the menu, but they happily made one when I asked—served with any tap chaser (a nice touch). Garnishes included a pickle, olive, cheese curd, and a tiny piece of beef stick. Not quite the over-the-top garnishes I’d seen in some online photos, but good enough. Flavor-wise, it was decent, though nothing particularly memorable. Price wasn’t listed, but I’d estimate around $9.

It was a nice spot for a casual patio drink, though the Bloody Mary itself didn’t quite live up to the hype I’d heard.

The Bloody Mary

  • Spices/Flavor: Decent, but nothing special
  • Fixin’s: Pickle, olive, cheese curd, tiny beef stick
  • Chaser: Any tap beer
  • Presentation: Simple, pared down
  • Price: Estimated $9

Elbow Room is worth a stop if you’re nearby, but don’t expect the kind of show-stopping Bloody Mary you might have seen in photos.

West Allis, WI: Wisconsin State Fair – Badger Mary Funnel Cake

Posted: September 9, 2025 in Uncategorized
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🎉 Post #500! 🎉 I can’t believe I’ve written 500 Bloody Mary reviews—but here we are. And what better way to celebrate than with something outrageous, ridiculous, and 100% Wisconsin State Fair?

Ah, the Wisconsin State Fair—a beloved annual tradition of outrageous eats, Sporkie Awards, and food on a stick. This year, Badger Bites at the Tap Yard brought us the Badger Mary Funnel Cake, a “wild Wisconsin twist” on the classic Bloody Mary.

Here’s the deal: deep-fried mozzarella whips in Bloody Mary-infused batter, loaded with bacon, pickles, Bloody Mary aioli, celery salt, and shredded cheese. Sounds intriguing, right? Well… maybe in theory.

For me personally, this one didn’t work. The savory funnel cake was off-putting, the aioli overpowered everything, and the Bloody Mary flavor was basically nonexistent. It was heavy, salty, and just didn’t hit the mark. At $14, it was a unique experience, but I wouldn’t get it again—and I don’t recommend it.

Sometimes, fair food is fun because it’s outrageous, not because it’s delicious. The Badger Mary Funnel Cake falls squarely in the “interesting, but skip it” category.

The Bloody Mary Twist

  • Spices/Flavor: Overpowered by aioli, no noticeable Bloody Mary (or tomato) flavor
  • Fixin’s: Deep-fried mozzarella, bacon, pickles, aioli, celery salt, shredded cheese
  • Chaser: None
  • Presentation: Funnel cake format—shareable
  • Price: $14

Consider this a cautionary tale of Bloody Mary creativity gone a little too far.

Roseville, MN (Minneapolis area): Pizza Luce

Posted: September 9, 2025 in Uncategorized
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Pizza Luce is famous for their pizza (their website boasts “Minnesota’s best pizza”), and rightfully so—it’s fantastic. But on weekends, this small Minnesota chain also lets you take your Bloody Mary game seriously with a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar.

I loaded mine up with cheese, meat, olives, and pepperoncinis. You can also add horseradish, celery, and all kinds of pickled veggies. Want a chaser? They’ve got you covered. At $14 for a fully loaded custom drink, it’s a steal, and it’s worth lingering to craft the perfect combination for your taste buds.

The Pizza Luce Bloody Mary experience is casual, fun, and perfect if you want to go all out—or just try something unique with friends. Pair it with a pizza (or two) and you’ve got a weekend brunch to remember.

The Bloody Mary

  • Spices/Flavor: Customizable, fun
  • Fixin’s: Whatever you want—cheese, meat, olives, pepperoncinis, pickled veggies, horseradish, celery
  • Chaser: Optional
  • Presentation: Your creation!
  • Price: $14

If you’re in the Minneapolis area and a Bloody Mary enthusiast, Pizza Luce is a must-visit for the weekend build-your-own bar.

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