FOLIO
The Bloody Mary, a cocktail known for its fun (sometimes insane) garnishes and savory flavors, are definitely a hit or miss. With so many different flavor profiles you can create, some classic, some spicy, some pickle-flavored, the possibilities are endless. For this Hunt —although we know it’s really not a one-size-fits-all kind of drink — we wanted to try and find the best here in Northeast Florida for our readers.
Plus, it’s the perfect way to get ready for Brunch Fest on April 7.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Bull & Crown Publick House
Bull & Crown sits on St. George Street, one of the busiest streets in the Historic District of St. Augustine. It’s a bit of a smaller spot, inside seating-wise, but they have lots of patio spots available, the perfect place to stop by on a sunny day. Their location is a bit older and looks similar to a log cabin, but definitely gives off the historic feel of St. Augustine. Although the spot is quite bustling on weeknights and weekends, their full-service bar is first come first served.
Their take on the classic Bloody Mary is one of the Bull & Crown’s specialty cocktails, titled The Crowned Mary and sitting at the top of their cocktail menu. It is prepared with Bacon Vodka, Pepper Vodka, Bull & Crown’s housemade Bloody Mary Mix, and garnished with bacon, okra, celery and green olives.
Appearance-wise, it was a beautiful bright burnt-orange color with lots of spices visible throughout. It had a decent texture, definitely a thinner consistency than what we’re used to, but all of the flavors paired well, personally, we felt like the bacon flavors definitely stood out in this drink, so again, definitely a niche flavor profile. The presentation of the drink was perfect, as everyone knows the garnish is a super important part of giving a Bloody Mary its signature look.
Atmosphere: 3/5
Flavor: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Perfect if you love a smoky and spicier flavor profile for your Bloody Mary, go for it, but if you aren’t a bacon fan or hate the spice, I’d say skip it.
Hoptinger Bier Garden and Sausage House
For this specific scavenger hunt, we chose the Jacksonville Beach location for no reason other than it’s closer to us, and we are lazy. That being said, located on the infamous strip of beach bars, Hoptinger is sitting pretty with a covered patio and tons of seating. As we mentioned, we were feeling lazy and a bit hungover, so we found ourselves a comfortable spot in the back near the kitchen and got right to business.
One of the highlights of Hoptinger’s Bloody Mary is their customizable options. They provide a card loaded with various bases, spice levels and an array of garnishes. For our latest experience, we opted for a classic approach. We started with the original Hoptinger bloody mix (reminiscent of Zing Zang) complemented by muddled jalapeños. As for garnishes, we selected bacon, celery, pickles, olives, lemon and lime – the classics. Though they do offer “The Works’ ‘ which has everything you could possibly imagine: jalapeño poppers, a cheesehead, onion rings, corn dog bites, chicken wings, sausages, sliders… you get the point. It’s basically a four-course meal and a beverage.
Back to business. When our (previously underestimated) Bloody Marys arrived, they exceeded all expectations. The base was smooth with just the right kick of spice. Each flavor harmonized beautifully, none overpowering the other. Remarkably, as we savored the first … and then the second … our hangovers seemed to fade away.
Atmosphere: 3/5
Flavor: 5/5
Overall: 4/5
Perfect for people feeling adventurous with their beverages and need a quick Sunday morning pick-me-up.
Tulua Bistro
What can we say about Tulua Bistro that hasn’t already been said? It’s one of the best brunch spots in Jacksonville Beach for a reason. Located off of Third Street, this traditional brunch restaurant is always packed and not just because the food doesn’t disappoint but because there are about 10 tables that fill the small space. Luckily for us and Jacksonville, Tulua Bistro is on the road to opening its second location in Springfield on April 8.
There are two options of Bloody Marys here, regular and burn-the-back-of-your-throat spicy. Unfortunately, it is a very, very fine line, but the flavor is still amazing — just make sure you have a pitcher of water at the table. The base is your classic Zing Zang, and if you ask for spicy, they include half a bottle of hot sauce. The garnishes are classic: lemon, lime, pickle, olive and a slice of bacon. While the drink itself is nice, there is nothing that stands out. Unless, of course you add the hot sauce, then this drink is unforgettable as you will be recovering from the burn for the rest of the day.
Atmosphere: 3/5
Flavor: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Perfect for people who like to stare at inspirational quotes from Gandhi, MLK and RuPaul while they eat/drink.
City Grille & Raw Bar
Located a couple blocks down from Friendship Fountain, in the heart of San Marco is City Grille & Raw Bar. This is what we like to call a small yet mighty spot. With an unassuming exterior built of white bricks and gold signage, the interior is naturally sunlit, refreshing and honestly looks expensive. Disclaimer: It is expensive. Its menu is innovative and extensive with a wide selection of seafood dishes, steak and seasonal options. Naturally, there’s a wine list and a raw bar for those who don’t like their seafood cooked.
Anyway, let’s get to business …You’re probably at the point of this article where you are starting to question what else could we possibly say about Bloody Marys? That’s probably because you’ve never had a Bloody Mary at City Grille and Raw Bar. Yes, it comes in a regular tall glass, and yes, it’s full of tomato juice and vodka, but what sets this Bloody Mary apart from most are the toppings. Remember the mention of the innovative and extensive menu? Well, this Bloody Mary is no exception. You could go for a regular (boring) Bloody Mary with no toppings or you can add a vegetable skewer OR (what we ordered) the ultimate Bloody Mary that comes with a lobster and shrimp skewer.
To say that this is just a Bloody Mary is an understatement. It’s the whole meal. Sip and snack, it doesn’t get any better than that. And for $15 a piece, the flavor isn’t shy of exceptional either. It was a perfect balance of savoriness in a glass.
Atmosphere: 4/5
Flavor: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Perfect for people who are feeling boujee and want to spend $15 on a Bloody Mary.
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