I needed to get out. Five months of quarantine life in a NYC apartment will do that to you. My requirements were simple: somewhere warm, with a pool, and of course, bloody marys.
Cheap prices, a low Covid-19 rate, and the sweet, sweet call of freshly caught shrimp tacos brought me to Playa del Carmen. While there, I experienced a new kind of bloody mary. The addition of Maggi’s seasoning, lots of lime juice, and a tamarind straw were uniquely Mexican. Plus they had enough Michelada variations to make my head spin.
Restaurants
Coconuts Bar & Grill in Cozumel showcased goblet sized bloody marys, and Welcome to Miami (also in Cozumel, yeah I know…) featured crunchy cubes of celery and cucumber in their bloody marys. I’ve seen goblets at Pinocchio in the Desert in Palm Springs, but never veggie chunks right in my drink.
This is exactly why the bloody mary is beloved by so many. Creativity is what makes this cocktail attractive. Whether you’re a restaurant, home bartender, or event producer, when it comes to bloody marys, your creation is only limited by your imagination.
Festivals
Festivals… well, they’re just not happening. But that hasn’t stopped Wisconsin’s Best Bloody Mary Fest from innovating. On October 24, they will be hosting a drive thru version of their wildly successful bloody mary competition. Participants will receive food and drinks for four people. Drinks include 100 Mile Sauce Bloody Mary Mix, 2 liters of Just Vodka from Yahara Bay Distillers, a case of Drink Wisconsibly’s new beer from Leinenkugels, plus tastings from all the bloody mary mix competitors.
Food includes sliders, cheese curds from Farmer John, Mapleton Mynd Lambsticks, Goodman Center pretzel necklaces, and jars of cocktail carrots, pickles, and Silver Springs Horseradish. Plus, your quaranteam car can also participate in a costume/car decoration contest to win a year long bloody mary box subscription from Christine’s Kitchens.
Makers
Makers such at Savor & Salt and Bloody Mary Obsessed have developed new product lines to further diversify their brands. Savor & Salt’s new Bloody Mary Cocktail Flags allow consumers and restaurants to further express their personalities with custom designs. And Bloody Mary Obsessed’s new clothing and accessory line allows you to show off your love for all things brunch.
Home Bartenders
When it comes to home bartenders, creativity is the number one ingredient. The Bloody Mary Enthusiasts Unite! Facebook group recently held a “Best Home Garnish” contest. Contestants submitted photos of skyscraper-esque bloody marys garnished with everything from donuts, mini pancakes, and spring rolls to hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, and prawns.
These creations were not only diverse in their approach; they also expressed the regionality that bloody marys can often take. Beer backs and cheese whips in the Midwest. Crab claws and lobster claws along the Atlantic Seaboard. And brightly colored, fresh vegetables from California.
When it comes down to “how to make a bloody mary,” it’s clear that whatever you choose to put in it, on top of it, or around it, your inspiration and originality lead first.
