A Bloody Mary and a good breakfast before a round of golf? That’s a pretty solid way to start the day.
This Bloody was made with Rush Creek Vodka and Zing Zang mix, with celery salt, two olives and a lime. No chaser was offered, and we’re unsure of the price.
However, most importantly, the bloody was good, and the breakfast was excellent. If you’re heading to Geneva National for a round, this is a great way to fuel up before hitting the course.
Vodka: Rush Creek Vodka Mix: Zing Zang Garnish: Celery salt, 2 olives, lime Chaser: None offered Price: Unknown Our take: A good Bloody Mary paired with an excellent breakfast before golf.
Schmidtys Off the Rail in Brookfield is one of the newer spots in town, having opened in 2024. The place has clearly been refreshed a bit, and from the looks of it, they’re aiming to be a lively neighborhood hangout with live music, specials, and plenty of events on the calendar.
Naturally, I had to check out the Bloody Mary. Served in a standard pint glass, this one kept things simple. There was no rim seasoning, but it did come with a few classic fixin’s: a beef stick, a chunk of cheese, and an olive. You can also choose any chaser you’d like, which is always a nice touch and a very Wisconsin move.
The Bloody itself was pretty average—nothing particularly bold or memorable, but perfectly drinkable. Sometimes that’s all you need, especially when you’re settling in at a big bar with a lot going on around you.
Schmitty’s looks like it has the potential to be a fun gathering spot, especially when the live music and events are in full swing. If I’m back in the area, I’d definitely pop in again to see what’s happening.
The Bloody Mary
• Spices/Flavor: They used Jimmy Luv’s mix and doctored it up a bit • Fixin’s: Beef stick, cheese, olive • Chaser: Your choice • Presentation: Served in a pint glass, no rim • Price: Unknown, probably about $10 or
If you’re in the Brookfield/Menomonee Falls area and looking for a lively bar with music and events, Schmidtys Off the Rail could be worth a stop. The Bloody Mary may not steal the spotlight, but it’s a solid companion for a casual afternoon.
While visiting Florida’s west coast, I stopped by La Croisette, a beloved breakfast spot known for its beachy charm and mouthwatering morning fare. Naturally, I had to sample their Bloody Mary—and while the food stole the show, the drink held its own as a solid sidekick.
Priced at $10.40, this Bloody is made with Zing Zang mix and vodka, and comes garnished with crispy bacon, a sturdy stalk of celery, and a fresh lime wedge. It’s a no-frills take on the classic, without a chaser option, but it fits the laid-back, Florida-coast vibe of the restaurant.
The flavor was classic Zing Zang—savory, a little spicy, and reliably tasty—though not particularly bold or unique. Still, it paired well with the rich and flavorful breakfast dishes the spot is known for. (Pro tip: come hungry!)
Whether you’re fueling up for a day at St. Pete Beach, or just soaking in the vacation vibes, La Croisette is definitely worth a stop. While the Bloody isn’t the star of the show here, it plays a solid supporting role in a delicious brunch experience.
If you’re brunching in Tampa and craving a comforting Bloody to kick off your day, La Croisette offers just that—with a side of sunshine and great eats.
As the name of our blog suggests, Out for Bloodies, and if you’re a loyal reader, you already know—we typically like to go out for Bloodies. Whether it’s finding the best ones in our city or discovering new favorites while traveling, the thrill of the hunt is part of the fun. However, there are definitely times when we want to enjoy a quick one at home or on the go. That’s where Fore Craft Cocktails’ Bloody Mary comes in.
Fore Craft Cocktails lets you bring your Bloodies out and about.
Fore Craft Cocktails, known for their golf-inspired canned cocktails, has taken on the classic Bloody Mary, offering a convenient, ready-to-drink version for golfers, travelers, and anyone who loves a good Bloody without the hassle of mixing one up. At $45 for a 12-pack on their website or approximately $12.99 for a 4-pack if you find them in your local store, these cans are an easy option to keep stocked for those early tee times, tailgates, or brunches at home.
Now, if you know me, you know I have very high standards when it comes to Bloody Marys. I’ve had more than my fair share, and I take my Bloodies seriously. So, how does Fore Craft Cocktails’ version stack up?
Taste Test
Fore Craft’s Bloody Mary is artfully crafted from natural flavors and premium vodka, promising a “deliciously consistent taste no matter where you tee it up.” The flavor is bold, with a noticeable tang from the spices, making it a solid option for those who like their Bloodies flavorful, though I wouldn’t quite label this as spicy by any means. The vodka is well-balanced, and the tomato juice has a smooth texture—neither too thick nor too watered down, though I would recommend pouring it over ice if you can.
While you won’t get the extravagant garnishes or custom spice blends that come with a handcrafted Bloody from your favorite bar (unless you add your own like I did!), this canned version delivers a satisfying, peppery, and slightly tangy sip that gets the job done. If you’re on the course, at a tailgate, or just looking for an easy option at home, it’s a convenient way to enjoy a Bloody Mary without any prep.
Final Verdict
Would I trade a trip to my favorite Bloody Mary bar for a can of Fore Craft’s version? Probably not. But would I keep a few of these on hand for a quick and easy Bloody in a pinch? Absolutely. It’s a solid choice for a no-fuss option when you’re short on time or on the move.
Have you tried Fore Craft Cocktails’ Bloody Mary? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
It’s been quite awhile since we’ve traveled anywhere, much less by plane. But there’s something about an early morning flight that makes one crave a Bloody Mary and that hasn’t changed.
Thus, during our layover in Atlanta, we had to seek one out. We were unpleasantly surprised to find many of the dining options in our terminal at Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson International Airport closed or open with limited hours, but fortunately, we were able to grab a seat at the bar at LongHorn Steakhouse right when it opened.
While this was a standard bloody at best, somehow all bloodies at the airport just seem to hit the spot.
Spice & Mix: We didn’t have the chance to inquire, but we ordered ours spicy. There was a hint of an Asian-inspired spice that we couldn’t quite place. The bartender also talked us into making it a double (they use Helix Vodka).
Fixin’s: You get one olive and you’ll like it.
Chaser: None offered.
Price: $13.99 for a double
Of course, everything is also overpriced at the airport where they have you captive, but at this point in time, it was worth it. We also slept quite well on the second leg of our journey.
Moral of the story… if you’re looking for a Bloody at the ATL airport, you might have trouble finding one in the COVID-19 era, but in a pinch, LongHorn’s in Concourse C will do.
Between going “out for bloodies” and my travel schedule, it is usually hard for me to find time to make Bloody Marys at home, but Ballast Point Brewing is certainly trying to change that!
Known for its craft brew, Ballast Point Brewing out of San Diego, California, also has branched into mixers and spirits.
Its famous Ballast Point Bloody Mary Mix (available in Mild or Spicy)– a signature blend of ripe tomatoes, spicy peppers, exotic spices and amber ale–for example, has been a popular seller.
They’ve since taken their cocktail game one step further, canning the mix along with Fugu Vodka for the quintessential Bloody. Yes, you read that right…. A Bloody Mary in a can!
As the description on their site says, “Like the venomous namesake fish this Fugu Bloody Mary packs a sting. We’ve combined our signature Fugu Vodka with our award-winning Bloody Mary mix, featuring ripe tomatoes, exotic spices and a heavy dose of pepper, to make a spicy cocktail that is dangerously drinkable.”
We had never had the good fortune to try their mix on its own; however, the company was nice enough to send a four-pack of cans our way to for us to taste test.
We were intrigued. One can poured perfectly premixed into a pint glass, along with some ice cubes and we added our own garnishes:
While the mix had a nice consistency and the vodka-mix ratio was spot on, the one thing that struck us was how spicy this beverage was. We usually love a kick to our drinks, but this one (not even labeled a spicy variety) was a little tough to take. It left our lips stinging!
Still, it’s a taste that we could probably get used to (or maybe water down a bit) and the convenience factor definitely is intriguing to us! Bloodies on the go!
If you find Ballast Point mix, or the Bloodies in cans, we definitely recommend giving it a try!
Buffalo Betty’s is, according to their site, “The world’s first buffalo-style bloody mary mix,” and bills the mix as “Mary’s hotter sister.” The mix comes in a 32oz jar for $6.99 and it is gluten-free.
I used this mix for Bloody Marys on Christmas morning:
To keep the sample pure, we just used regular vodka and did not add any spices or fixin’s. It tasted very fresh and definitely had the distinct buffalo style taste from the Wing-Time Buffalo Spices it is made with.
I didn’t feel the need to add anything to the mix—it was perfect.
If you like buffalo wings, you will LOVE Buffalo Betty’s. Give this mix a try when you find it in your local store!
Between going “out for bloodies” and my travel schedule, it is usually hard for me to find time to make Bloody Marys at home, and I owe George’s Mixesa big apology for the delay in this review.
The Maryland-based company sent us a Spicy and Mild mix to try awhile back and we finally got a chance to “Taste the Chesapeake” as the brand implores. According to their website, George’s Mixes was born in a small bar in Annapolis and cultivated over the years on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
This mix had a great consistency (I like my mix to be a little thicker) and while we really didn’t find this to be spicy in a hot sense (we tested the mild first), you can definitely taste the spices in the mix, especially the horseradish and celery salt. It also had a slightly “fish”y taste that did indeed evoke Maryland to me.
The same day, we happened to be making chili and added the mix to our batch to give it a little something special…delicious!
If you find George’s Bloody Mary mix, we definitely recommend testing it out for yourself! You can also purchase it directly on their website.
We are definitely not the first to cook with George’s and we most certainly won’t be the last. On their site, you’ll also find tons of recipes–including one for chili–that incorporate the mix.
Between going “out for bloodies” and my travel schedule, it is usually hard for me to find time to make Bloody Marys at home, but when I found this jar of McClure’s Bloody Mary Mix at World Market, I couldn’t resist.
I had heard rave reviews from friends about McClure’s, such as “You can’t even taste the vodka” and “best Bloody Mary mix ever,” plus, they also make the Bloody Mary Potato Chips, so I was eager to test it out for myself.
I broke out this mix for a special occasion: Easter Sunday with the family.
To keep the test pure, I sampled the mix with an unflavored Skyy vokda. I did not add any spices, but I topped the drink with olives, celery and cheese.
This mix had a great consistency (I like my mix to be a little thicker). Although the jar was labeled “spicy,” I really didn’t find this to be spicy in a hot sense, but you can definitely taste the spices in the mix. My dad thought it was a peppery taste, while I tasted more pickle juice. Whatever the case, I couldn’t taste the vodka, just as my friend had warned me. This went down easy and was quite good.
The only problem for me personally is the size of the jar, I was able to make just three Bloody Marys from this jar.
Did you know that January 1 is National Bloody Mary Day? Makes sense on many levels–deal with the hangover from New Year’s Eve, start the new year off on the right foot with the best drink ever concocted, etc.
Well, this year, we were lucky enough to receive a care package from V8, containing their Bloody Mary Mix, Svedka Citrus Vodka, a pint glass and a mixer, to help celebrate the ocassion.
We will admit that we have not yet tried these items, but we’re looking forward to doing so in the not too distant future.
Here at Out For Bloodies, we hope all of you had a safe and wonderful holiday season and we wish you the best for 2015.
