The Spicy Bloody Mary at Social Haus in Menomonee Falls keeps things fairly traditional but brings enough heat to make it interesting. Made with Absolut Peppar vodka, their had a noticeable peppery kick without overwhelming the drink.
The garnish lineup is straightforward — pickle, olive, lemon, and lime — but well executed. And the generous beer chaser adds value, especially in a state where that’s practically expected.
It’s not overly elaborate, but it’s dependable and drinkable — a solid choice if you’re already there for brunch or drinks.
We were also impressed with the variety on their breakfast menu… and the fact that you can get free pancakes with the purchase of a beverage!
It’s been a while since we last reviewedMatty’s Bar and Grill in New Berlin, and after a recent stop, it’s clear why this place continues to rack up accolades. Their website proudly claims Home of Milwaukee’s Best Bloody (2019, 2020, 2021, voted at teh Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation’s Best Bloody Contest) and the Bloody Mary Festival’s 2022 People’s Choice Award — and honestly, there’s a reason for it.
Matty’s doesn’t just serve a Bloody Mary. They’ve built a reputation around it.
From their website:
We offer 2 different sizes of Bloody Marys:
Pint Size, or as we call it the Baby size (when you see all 3 you would agree the name suits it.)
The Matty Mary which is for the Bloody lover; this biggin is 25 oz. and is garnished with the following:
Celery, Cucumber, Kosher Dill Pickle, Pepperoncini, Olive, Sausage Beef Stick, and a Mozzarella Cheese Whip…..and of course served with a chaser of your liking.
The Ultimate Matty Mary This beauty is the same whopping 25 oz. as our Matty Mary, with all the same delicious Fixin’s. What makes this one really special is the topping that is added to this already monstrous concoction! It rotates weekly and is always a crowd-pleaser. Past toppings have included: a Mini Brat, a Tamale, Bourbon Glazed Meatballs……the list just goes on and on!
Spread the word, your Bloody Mary destination has just been found!
The last time I was here, I was also amazed to learn that they have their Bloody Marys on tap. In a state where consistency and efficiency matter (especially during busy brunch hours), having it on tap is a power move.
This one deserved a more thorough spotlight than we gave it before.
The Bloody Mary
• Spices/Flavor: Smooth, refreshing, balanced — award-winning for a reason • Fixin’s: See above. • Chaser: See above. • Presentation: On tap; available in pint or giant size • Price: Unsure
If you’re keeping a Milwaukee-area Bloody bucket list, Matty’s isn’t just a stop — it’s a staple.
After a morning hike at Lapham Peak in Delafield, Wisconsin, the Bloody Mary at the Lumber Inn feels less like a cocktail and more like a reward. Hearty and generously garnished, this one almost doubles as an appetizer. The variety of sausages and the unexpected artichoke make it stand out from the typical lineup.
The mix itself is solid and drinkable, and the tiny can beer chaser keeps things very Wisconsin. For the price, this is a well-rounded, satisfying option—especially on a Sunday morning.
The Bloody Mary
• Spices/Flavor: Classic, savory, brunch-friendly • Fixin’s: Three types of sausage, artichoke, mini gherkin, cheese, olive, celery • Chaser: Tiny can of Miller Lite • Presentation: Garnish-heavy, meal-in-a-glass vibes • Price: $11.50
The Gingerbread House in Muskego serves up a Bloody Mary that feels both classic and a little playful, just like the restaurant itself.
In keeping with the farmhouse theme of the restaurant, this bloody is presented in a mason jar and generously garnished; it definitely leans into the “more is more” philosophy. The addition of shrimp and pretzels gives it a fun twist while still keeping the overall flavor traditional and approachable.
The mix itself is very flavorful and easy to drink, and the full can chaser makes it feel like you’re getting a little extra bang for your buck. It’s the kind of Bloody that fits perfectly with a cozy brunch outing.
We stopped in just before Christmas to check out this newer all-day brunch café located at the Corners of Brookfield in Brookfield, Wisconsin — and of course, we had to test the Bloody.
If you’re looking for a flavorful, well-balanced brunch Bloody Mary, the version at Waking Daisy is a solid choice. Made with their house mix and served with a classic lineup of garnishes, this one delivers good flavor without going over the top. The addition of a beef stick and a touch of what tasted like barbecue sauce on the olive added a little personality without straying too far from tradition.
It’s a straightforward, enjoyable Bloody that pairs perfectly with brunch. While the overall menu leans a bit on the pricier side, the drink itself feels fair—especially with the included chaser, which always earns bonus points in Wisconsin.
The Bloody Mary
• Spices/Flavor: House-made mix, well-balanced, flavorful • Fixin’s: Pickle, beef stick, olive with BBQ-style drizzle, celery, cheese • Chaser: Shorty of Miller High Life (included; $2 off without) • Presentation: Classic brunch-style build • Price: $12 with chaser
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).
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.
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.
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.
🎉 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
Sometimes you stumble across a Bloody Mary that surprises you—not because it’s the best you’ve ever had, but because it exists at all. That was the case at Pier 290 in Williams Bay, just off Lake Geneva. We visited via boat on a perfect summer Saturday morning and were amused to find that the Bloody Mary isn’t actually on their menu—but they made one for us anyway. (I mean, really, what type of establishment in Wisconsin doesn’t serve one?!?
The drink came with three cheese curds, a beef stick, an olive, and both a lemon and lime. Flavorful and fine, but nothing mind-blowing. No chaser was offered. Price? Probably around $15. The real charm was the pier and the lake views—sometimes that’s all you need.
