A Good Bloody Drink

bloody mary_2.jpg Gothamist has been on a perpetual quest to find the perfect Bloody Mary for about 3 years now. Perhaps this quest has been created as an excuse to drink before noon, but it seems that in a city with over 2,000 brunch options, finding a good Bloody Mary has resulted in the Goldielocks complex. They have been too spicy, too bland or have enough horseradish in them to choke, well a horse. Recently, Gothamist’s luck has changed – and it’s about bloody time.

Back to back, Gothamist has had two great Bloody Marys that have renewed our love of brunch and has made waking up early on a Sunday morning – dare we say it, a pleasant experience. Clinton Street Baking Company and Blue Ribbon Bakery serve up a Bloody Mary that almost justifies that two-hour wait to get in. While the criteria for a great Bloody Mary varies from person to person – what’s too spicy for some may be just right for others – they key to what makes them so great at these two restaurants is the fresh ingredients and balance of flavors. A great Bloody Mary has layers of spices, not just heat. Fresh horseradish is a must and while some may say the vodka doesn’t matter, we say, you’re probably right but for some reason it just seems to taste better with Ketel One (damn marketing).

Another place worth mentioning is Essex. Sometimes one Bloody Mary just isn’t enough (ok, most times) and this place get bonus points based on quantity. Each brunch option, for only $15, comes with 3 Bloody Marys – so even if the first one wasn’t your favorite, by the third you’ll be kissing the bartender (perhaps that was just us, and perhaps we should have stopped at two).

Our search is certainly not over, and our recent discoveries have just added fuel to the fire. With 1, 492 brunches left to try we understand that more disappointments are bound to happen. But the hope of finding that perfect Bloody Mary – is what gets us up in the morning…before 2pm. Where's your favorite Bloody Mary?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Tamara Lover in Food on December 12, 2005 10:24 AM

Comments [rss]

Jen

Nolita House on Houston and Mott. Coupled with the awesome bluegrass brunch, it rocks.

scazza

Another one who can't beleive Prune wasn't even mentioned in this entry. They don't just have one Bloody Mary, they have a whole menu of them, all amazing. Being a Chicagoan, I'd reccommend the Matchbox.

bronxelf

I'm rather fond of the Bloody Marys at Jacques-Imos on 77th and Columbus.

And they serve theirs with a whole produce section. It comes with a mountain of stuff coming off the top.

spinachdip

pastoralia - Ah, but if you get there at 10 on Sunday, you can't be served alcohol for 2 hours, no?

anonymous

Temple Bar, on Lafayette btwn Houston and Bleeker, makes a killer Bloody. I recall some balsamic in there, like a delish boozy salad. mmmm good.

ann

alias, on clinton street

they inherited some menu items from AKA cafe, but i always preferred their (alias') brunch anyway

best hangover cure ever?

their double bloody + a side of goetta

Mark

I was surprised to find that the Bloody's at Cocotte in Park Slope (5th Ave and 4th St) were quite good. Served in a huge glass stein and nicely spiced.

WB

Daddy-O on bedford makes a lovely bloody and has a bunch of different varieties (gin, tequila, etc). They also have a surprisingly tasty brunch and it's never crowded.

pastoralia

A word to the Prune novices: Get there early on Sunday (they open at 10am). If you don't you'll be waiting at least an hour. You may think, as you stand outside watching really bad handball players across the street, that it isn't worth it- it is.

ed_Extinct

My friend Meghan at Twist Lounge in the Amertania Hotel in mid-town on 54th and Broadway mixes an amazing bucket of blood, er I mean Bloody Mary. The bar is caters to specialty martinis, but ask Meghan for a never-to-forget Bloody Mary.

Josh

Spicy/wimpy is fine for criteria, but what about the accoutrements? A bloody mary needs an elegant stick of celery to win my vote. I hate it when they toss on a lemon.

Erin

Ace Bar, hands down.

Nice and thick, a bit of spice. No fishy taste and generous with the spirits.

Anonymous

great jones, nice 'n' spicy

atwood

I wholeheartedly agree - Prune takes the cake. My favorite is the one w/ wasabi and a big piece of beef jerky. The wasabi comes as a big lump on a long stick that's sticking out of the glass, so you can mix it in yourself, depending on how spicy you like it. Thinking about it makes me thirsty.

jennie

I must now try the Prune bloody mary. My fave is at Dos Caminos. They use peppers-infused vodka. Good lord. My only complaint is it's smallish and i require at least 3.

Jean

Paris Commune/Essex can't be beat...I also love the BMs at Voyage in the west village.

JS

Reubens

Employees Only

Hara Adams

I highly encourage everyone to check out Brian's Bloody Mary at Public. A very nice variation. There is also a bartender (a real one. Not a model or actor) named John Byrd who arguably makes the finest Bloody in all of Manhattan as he has honed his skill with 10 years of expierence and passion for the drink. The traditional and his version of an "asian" Bloody Mary are both phenomenal. He also works at Public. Prune also gets a big thumbs up!

Laren

I heartily agree with both Prune and Great Jones Cafe.

girlacross

Two great bloody marys come to mind: the ones at Beast in Prospect Heights (best effing brunch ever) and at Kings County in East Williamsburg/Bushwick. They make their marys with a bazillion ingredients including capers and Guinness.

Shley

Superfine in DUMBO. Paired with the New Mexico Green Chile Brunch, it makes any Saturday night pains history.

hashashin

I second the vote for Prune; I recently tried their "Danish Bloody Mary," made with Aquavit and a marinated anchovy and I couldn't believe how good it was.

Matt

I highly recommend Iggy's on Ludlow, all though not your traditional Bloody Mary, the add some Old Bay Seasoning, a really nice blend and oh so nice for the Sunday hangovers or fro getting started on a Tuesday...

kowgurl

Look for the new trend: bloody mary bars. they're all over Silicon Valley. twenty different tomato juice variations, 20 diffrent veggie-stick stirrer variations, plus add-in and 20 different vodka flavors. A little overkill if you ask me.

cal

The ones at the Plaza Oyster bar were the best in Manhattan. But alas they are gone.

stephanie berger

if there's only one bloody mary place worth mentioning then let it be Great Jones Cafe. this place serves the BEST bloody mary in the city. there's fresh horseradish, lots of tabasco and worcestshire (probably mispelled) and the overall combo is supreme.

NY'er

Your search will not end until you go to the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis. The bloody mary was introduced to New York there and the wonderful recipe remains the same. The original drink was invented at Harry's Bar in Paris, and I believe it was a bartender from there that came over to work at the King Cole bar.