Sharing The Love
Charles Lovejoy has tended some of the best bars in the Twin Cities over the past 25 years, and during that time, he’s continually honed his much-loved bloody mary mix.
After a minute or two of conversation, you feel Charles’ cool, kind-hearted nature. He’s thoughtful and generous as well… $2 from each bottle of Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix sold is donated to help support Face2Face – an organization that provides a variety of services to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
ln 2018, The Happy Gnome, where Charles was then bartending, won top prize at a bloody mary festival with his Thai Basil Pho Broth based bloody mary mix. In 2019, they won “Best Bloody Mary – Original Mix” with the original Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix that we’re talking about today. (As a judge for the 2019 event, I’m proud to share that this delicious mix whole-heartedly received my vote!)
And check this out… Charles is currently developing the aforementioned Thai Basil Pho Broth-based bloody mary mix for mass production! Sign me up – I’m so looking forward to this!
The Happy Gnome, a long-time neighborhood favorite, closed in December of 2019. The Gnome Craft Pub, which is opening in its place this very month, will also be serving Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix! You can currently find Charles at Holman’s Table in St. Paul – a beautiful restaurant uniquely situated on an airfield, with a lovely patio right on the tarmac!
Charles considers his all-natural, gluten-free, vegan mix a classic, lighter bloody mary mix that’s “cheffy.” It’s delicious right out of the bottle. No doctoring up needed. Vodka optional. And, yes, Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix is on the menu there too!
Unique and “Chef-y”
Earlier this year, Minnesota’s much-loved Chef Justin Sutherland also gave some serious love to Lovejoy’s small batch, handmade, vegan and gluten free Burn Yo Face Hot Sauce on Hooches and Smooches, a virtual happy hour with Mpls. St. Paul Magazine’s Steph March.
Rumor has it that Charles is also working on a bloody mary rim salt recipe. It’ll undoubtedly be as “chef-y” as his other stand-out products, and I know I’m not the only one looking forward to trying it!
Quick to offer kudos and praise to others, Charles credits many friends, customers and colleagues who contributed to his “crowd sourced recipe” over the years. And it’s a unique recipe, indeed.
Among the ingredients, Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix includes lemongrass for brightness, Tamari and shiitake mushrooms for depth and umami, and strawberries – an ingredient suggested by his friend, José, because they’re often added to bloody marys in Mexico to create a lighter, fresher mix.
Lovejoy’s is a Certified Minority Business Enterprise which produces out of GIA Kitchen – a community of food producers located in St. Paul. Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix is handmade in micro batches. It’s vegan and gluten free, and each 25 oz. bottle makes 4-5 cocktails.
Hot Sauce
If you do want to add a little something, you’re in luck! Charles has also created Lovejoy’s Burn Yo Face-Off Hot Sauce which just happens to pair beautifully with his mix – and anything else you want to splash it on.
He created it for a guest who challenged him to make the hottest sauce he could. Surely, that guest appreciated Charles’ efforts, because it’s really good stuff! My husband and I like it so much that I’m working on a spicy appetizer recipe that uses it.
Putting It All Together
How is Lovejoy’s best enjoyed? Well, Charles will tell you that “With all things bloody mary, personal preference is the rule… To each their own!” He personally prefers a lightly hopped ale, and Summit Extra Pale Ale has been his go-to chaser for years. To change things up, however, he’s recently started using stouts as a beer back.
Although I’ve enjoyed Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix at several Twin Cities bars and restaurants, working on this feature was reason enough to whip up some bloodies for Sunday brunch at home in the name of “research!” And for that, I happily followed Charles’ personal preferences:
Vodka: Prairie Organics Cucumber Vodka. Always ask the maker! I didn’t think it was possible to love this mix any more, but the cucumber vodka took it to the next level!
Garnishes: Pickled green beans, pearl onions, and garlic-stuffed olives in addition to a nice, big lemon wheel (lemon is a MUST in my book). In honor of the mix ingredients, I also added fresh strawberrie, shiitakes, baby carrots, and cherry tomatoes for the win. So good! I topped it off with Bongards Horseradish Cheese (it’s like a sharp white cheddar with a great horsey kick), because it’s a fave bloody mary bite in our house.
As much as I love crazy garnishes on occasion, I also appreciate simpler approaches that allow us to enjoy what’s in the glass. And in this case, what’s in the glass is very enjoyable all on its own!
Get in Touch!
Wondering how you can get your hands on some Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix? Because Lovejoy’s believes in supporting local, you can order it at a number of Twin Cities bars and restaurants.
You can also buy the mix and hot sauce at some great local markets, including Cathy Mackenthun’s Meats and Deli — one of my personal favorite markets. With all the locally-made pickles, meats, cheeses, condiments, and snacks they carry, it’s a one-stop shop for bloody mary lovers!
To order online, visit LovejoysBloodyMaryMix.com. You’ll also find a full list of restaurants and bars that serve the mix, and the markets where you can buy Lovejoy’s! And feel free to reach out via Instagram at @lovejoysbrand.
Michele Phillips
Contributor
Michele is a Minneapolis-based Food Blogger and Recipe Developer at BaconFatte.com, and a Freelance Writer, Photographer, and Content Creator. She provides marketing and social media consulting and management services to small, independent restaurant, retail, and service businesses. In her spare time, Michele can be found in the kitchen (naturally!), in the garden, traveling – and Instagramming about all of it! @BaconFatte
