Vamprio (Bloody Maria) at Mamasita
This Mexican inspired take on the classic Bloody Mary is a surefire summertime hit. Served as an icy granita, this experimental iteration comes stocked with high quality El Jimador tequila, fresh tomato juice, chipotle, tamarind and lime. For a garnish, they’ll even top it with a prawn skewer. That’s the thing about a good Bloody Mary. It’s all about taking on seemingly incompatible ingredients to shock your body into instantaneously feeling better. Science, right?
Level 1/11 Collins Street. (03) 9650 3821.
Kevin Bloody Bacon at Sweetwater Inn
Remember that thing about disparate ingredients? Well, if this doesn’t wake you up then no alcoholic concoction ever will. The madcap bartenders down at Sweetwater have stirred up a Bloody Mary featuring bacon, beetroot and green chilli infused vodka, hot sauce, Worcestershire, tomato and all the necessary mojo to make this the greatest, dirtiest cocktail this side of the Yarra.
1/60 Bray Street, South Yarra. 0487 916 082.
Le Bon Ton Bloody Mary at Le Bon Ton
Ketel One vodka, house smoked tomatoes, char-grilled capsicum, fresh citrus and Old Bay seasoning comes together with pickle juice, jalapeño hot sauce and a splash of red wine to give this Bloody Mary a sophisticated interpretation over at southern style speakeasy Le Bon Ton. Stick around to try their Texan beef brisket cooked in their smokehouse, or their blackened fish and crab cakes that come straight from the Louisiana Gulf Coast.
51 Gipps Street, Collingwood. (03) 9416 4341.
Queen Isabella at Black Pearl
The crew at Black Pearl have crafted a Bloody Mary inspired by Spanish gazpacho. And yes, there’s enough gazpacho for all. Named after the 19th century Queen of Spain, this is based upon a cold soup of bread, tomatoes, cucumber and green capsicum before being spiked with high quality vodka.
304 Brunswick Street, (03) 9417 0455.
Bloody Maryśka at Borsch Vodka and Tears
As well as offering up a perfectly balanced traditional iteration, Borsch Vodka and Tears have crafted their own version of a Bloody Mary. Made with rosemary vodka, horseradish, lemon and Worcestershire, the Bloody Maryśka is garnished with caperberries. Personally, I don’t know what a caperberry is, but I know that it sounds delicious. Styled after a Kraków cellar bar, Borsch is a romantic bohemian enclave – an ode to a time where cocktails were strong and the nights were hazy. To cap it off, you can rest easy knowing your hangover is being nursed with some of the best imported Polish vodka in the country.
173 Chapel St, Windsor. (03) 9530 2694.
Bloody Mary at Three Monkeys
True story. The first Bloody Mary I ever tried was at Three Monkeys, and it blew my god damn socks off. How could something so cool and refreshing be so spicy at the same time? Find out for yourself while enjoying the top notch mix of reggae and dancehall music the in-house DJs are spinning. To round out the chilled vibe, the hidden oasis out the back is perfect for a Sunday session. And you know the best way to start a Sunday session? A tall Bloody Mary with an oversized garnish protruding eight inches out of the glass, that’s what.
210 Chapel Street, Prahran. 95215694.
The Ernest at Eau de Vie
Winner of Ketel One vodka’s Bloody Mary bartender competition, this is not your typical Bloody Mary. Named after founding father behind the Bloody Mary, Ernest Blyfield, this cocktail is crafted from homemade tomato juice, picked onion puree, pimento and vodka. To finish it off, The Ernest is garnished with a celery stick and pickled onions before being served in a custom designed, retro can. For when only the fanciest hangover cure will do.
1 Malthouse Lane, Melbourne. 0412 825 441.
Kodiak Caesar at The Kodiak Club
The Northside bourbon specialists also know how to turn out a mighty fine cocktail or two. Their take on the Bloody Mary is Canadian style, featuring Ketel One Vodka, Calmato juice (that’s a mixture of clam broth and tomato juice), lemon juice, hot sauce and secret spices. While you’re down there, enjoy their quality range of boutique bourbons and boilermakers or take on their spicy buffalo wing challenge.
272 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. (03) 9417 3733
Bloody Mary at Pillar of Salt
Sometimes you don’t want to got to a bar to get a nice Bloody Mary. Sometimes you just want to have some pancakes and a spicy cocktail to get your morning started, all in the same place. Pillar of Salt aren’t reinventing the wheel with their version of a Bloody Mary, rather sticking to fresh ingredients and balanced flavours. If it ain’t broke – don’t fix it.
541 Church Street, Richmond. 9421 1550.
Muddy Mary at The Catfish
The Catfish is a top notch local, serving equally top notch brews without pretence. Taking that into consideration, their Bloody Mary is exactly how you’d imagine – a non-fuss take on a classic. House made spice mix, the perfect amount of kick and a Sunday discount. Just what the doctor ordered to kick off a stella night of live music and some of their famous cheesesteaks.
30 – 32 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. (03) 9417 6420.
BY JAMES DI FABRIZIO
