Posts Tagged ‘Nevada’

Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill inside Harry Reid International Airport was our final stop of our most recent trip to Las Vegas—fittingly during a delay, which is prime time for one last Bloody Mary.

This one is their signature hand-shaken Bloody, made with Ketel One vodka and Element’s Bloody Mary elixir. It’s garnished with pepperoncini, celery, and a pickled olive, finished with a chili lime salt rim and a fresh lime wedge. So on paper, it checks a lot of boxes.

Flavor-wise, it delivers. It’s got a nice spice to it, well-balanced, and easy to drink—exactly what you want while killing time at the airport. The chili lime rim adds a little extra kick, which works well with the overall profile.

That said, it’s Vegas—and airport Vegas at that. At $22.50, it’s definitely on the pricey side, especially considering it’s not a particularly large pour. But at this point in the trip, that almost feels expected.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Spicy, well-balanced, and flavorful
• Fixin’s: Pepperoncini, celery, pickled olive, lime
• Chaser: None
• Presentation: Classic with a chili lime salt rim
• Price: $22.50

If you find yourself stuck at the airport, this is a solid way to wrap up a Vegas trip. It may be expensive and not oversized, but it delivers on flavor—and sometimes that’s exactly what you need before heading home.

Bourbon Steak by Chef Michael Mina inside the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas delivers a top-tier dining experience, and their cocktail program absolutely matches that level. Naturally, when I spotted Diane’s Bloody Martini on the menu, I had to give it a try.

This isn’t your traditional Bloody Mary—it’s a completely elevated, reimagined version. Made with Grey Goose vodka and Bombay Sapphire, it blends both vodka and gin with a jalapeño Bloody Mary mix, olive and pepper brine, plus celery and fire bitters. So right off the bat, you know you’re getting something layered and complex.

Presentation-wise, it leans martini-style. It’s served chilled with a side of ice rather than over it, along with a garnish set of cocktail onion, olive, red pepper, and lemon. It’s clean, intentional, and a big departure from the overloaded Bloody presentations you see elsewhere.

Flavor-wise, this is where it really stands out. It’s bold, briny, slightly spicy, and incredibly unique. You get that familiar Bloody essence, but refined and sharpened through the martini format. If you’ve been getting into martinis—or even if you just appreciate a creative cocktail—this one hits a really interesting middle ground.

At $24, it’s definitely in line with Vegas high-end cocktail pricing, especially at a place like Bourbon Steak. And while their cocktail list (not to mention the wine selection) is extensive enough to tempt you in other directions, this is absolutely worth ordering at least once.

Diane’s Bloody Martini

• Spices/Flavor: Bold, briny, slightly spicy with a refined edge
• Fixin’s: Cocktail onion, olive, red pepper, lemon (served on the side)
• Chaser: None
• Presentation: Martini-style, served chilled with side ice and garnishes
• Price: $24

If you’re a Bloody Mary fan—or a martini fan looking to try something different—this is a standout. It’s creative, elevated, and one of the more memorable takes on a Bloody you’ll find in Vegas.

As I mentioned recently, bloody marys hit differently at certain locations and, outside of airport bloodies, golf courses are the next best thing. Something about being out on the course, drink in hand, just elevates the whole experience.

Especially if you’re golfing in Vegas, after having spent a night out in Vegas…

At Serket Golf Club in Henderson, at the recommendation of a local, I went with a Bloody Caesar, a bloody mary made using Clamato. I’ve these before and it’s great because they bring that slightly briny, savory depth that a lot of people swear by. This one was really solid, especially for a grab-and-go golf course drink.

Then over at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City—completely different story in the best way. The Bloody here was phenomenal. The cart girl made it, and while I didn’t get to ask what mix she used, it stood out immediately. One of those where you take a sip and think, what is this? in the best possible way. Super flavorful, unique, and easily one of the better mixes I’ve had in a long time.

Both were served in to-go cups, which isn’t ideal for presentation, but totally expected on the course. Neither had garnishes, which normally would be a knock—but again, golf course logistics get a pass here. And honestly, the flavor carried both.

The Bloodies (Golf Course Edition)

• Spices/Flavor:
 - Serket: Savory, slightly briny thanks to the Clamato
 - Boulder Creek: Standout, unique, and incredibly flavorful
• Fixin’s: None (to-go course style)
• Chaser: None
• Presentation: To-go cups, simple and functional
• Price: Not listed

If you’re golfing in Vegas, don’t skip the Bloody Mary. These two prove that great flavor can show up anywhere… and sometimes the most memorable ones come mid-round.

Brasserie B Parisian Steakhouse at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is a popular brunch, lunch and dinner spot from Bobby Flay.

The vibe here is, according to Mr. Flay, “a mix of brasserie staples and flavor surprises I’ve become known for over the years.”

The bloody mary definitely sits in the “staples” category. Served with a classic lineup—a celery stick, lemon wedge, and olive—it’s definitely more of a no-frills Bloody compared to some of the over-the-top options you’ll find elsewhere in Vegas. No towering garnishes, no extras—just the basics.

One thing that I’ve mentioned several times before is the lack of chasers, not just in Vegas, but in most parts of the country. Coming from Wisconsin, it feels a little strange, but it’s just not part of the culture outside of the midwest. This one was no exception.

That said, the flavor delivers. It’s well-balanced, easy to drink, and exactly what you want alongside your brunch experience (I had the avocado toast and it was another excellent staple). Nothing groundbreaking, but it gets the job done.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Balanced and solid, a dependable brunch Bloody
• Fixin’s: Celery, lemon, olive
• Chaser: None (typical for Vegas)
• Presentation: Clean, classic, no-frills
• Price: Not listed

If you’re at Brasserie B for brunch, the Bloody Mary is a reliable choice. It may not steal the show, but it fits the Vegas brunch vibe—simple, solid, and satisfying.isn’t just a drink—it’s an experience. Come hungry, bring a friend (or don’t), and be ready to fully commit.

Alexxa’s—located inside Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino—fully leans into the “go big or go home” Vegas mindset, and their Colossal Bloody Mary is exactly that.

This isn’t just a drink—it’s a full-on production. Served as an entire pitcher, it’s essentially two-and-a-half drinks in one (per the waitress), but the real headline is everything piled on top. And honestly, the menu description (“basil-infused vodka, king crab leg, shrimp, peppered bacon, pickled peppers, olive, cheese, okra, tomato, celery, cucumber, lime”) and pictures don’t even come close to doing it justice.

We’re talking crab legs, shrimp, bacon (a lot of bacon), okra, celery, pickle, cheese, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, cucumbers… it just keeps going. It’s overflowing with garnishes to the point where it genuinely replaces a meal. I didn’t order anything else because, frankly, I didn’t need to.

Flavor-wise, the Bloody itself holds up, which is important given everything going on. It’s bold enough to stand behind the mountain of fixin’s, though let’s be honest—this one is as much about the experience as it is the drink.

At $50, it’s definitely a splurge. But in a city where cocktails can easily run $20–$25 each, getting essentially multiple drinks and a meal makes it feel a little more justifiable. Still, whether it’s “worth it” probably depends on how committed you are to the full Vegas experience.

The Bloody Mary (Colossal)

• Spices/Flavor: Basil-infused vodka and flavors bold enough to hold its own, but not the main event
• Fixin’s: King Crab legs, shrimp, bacon, okra, celery, pickle, cheese, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers (and more)
• Chaser: None
• Presentation: Over-the-top pitcher loaded with a full meal’s worth of garnishes
• Price: $50

If you’re in Vegas and want something memorable, this is it. The Colossal Bloody Mary isn’t just a drink—it’s an experience. Come hungry, bring a friend (or don’t), and be ready to fully commit.

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.

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.