recipes

Best Bloody Mary

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Two years ago, it was brunch time.  Matt and I decided to venture outside the Northeast and went to Edina for eggs and bloodies. It was just ok.  Our bloodies were just glorified V8s with a mini pickle.  I left disappointed and thirsty.  After living within a mile from a bar with the Helen of Troy of bloodies for four years, I had yet to find a replacement since I moved to the Twin Cities.

It wasn’t for a lack of trying.  My google history was riddled with “best Bloody Marys in Minneapolis.” And I dragged Matt to try every single one of the proclaimed  best bloodies.  Each one fell short.

bloodies.“Seriously, how hard is it to find the best Bloody Mary in Minneapolis!” I complained on our drive home from brunch. “I’m starting to think the Twin Cities just doesn’t have one.”

And that’s how this blog started. “Why don’t you rate all the bloodies we’ve tried on a blog so other people in the cities can rely on your expertise,” Matt suggested.

spicesThis blog has now transformed from rating bloodies into my outlet to learn to cook.  Nevertheless, my original idea behind this blog hasn’t completely been lost. And as it turns out,  I sleep next to the mixologist who has created the world’s best bloody–Matt.  It took several years of trial and error, but we finally have perfected what we believe to be the greatest bloody recipe.  And it would be a sin not to share that recipe with the world.

celebrated Matt's birthday with a brunch themed party complete with a bloody mary bar.
celebrated Matt’s birthday with a brunch themed party complete with a bloody mary bar.
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lifestyle

The Mother of All Bloody Marys–A Del’s Bloody

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This is the Helen of Troy of Bloody Marys.

The holy grail of bloodies.  The Bloody Mary that I compare all other bloodies to.  This Bloody Mary is from the La Crosse bar Del’s.  I have searched in vain for a comparable bloody in the Twin Cities.  And there is no substitute.  Made with classic tomato juice, a heavy pour of vodka, and spiked with couple shakes from a pepper shaker mixture of 23 spices, it’s smooth and gritty at the same time.  And Del’s does not skimp on the toppings.  Dressed with a large dill pickle, an olive, a pickled brussel sprout, and huge chunk of pepper jack cheese along with any beer on tap (go for the Pearl Street Downtown Brown-another La Crosse classic), this Bloody Mary really is a meal in a glass.

Del’s easily wins as my favorite bar in La Crosse, and whenever I am in town, the visit isn’t complete without a trip for a Del’s bloody.  Still, I miss my Tuesday afternoons spent sipping bloodies and pbrs with Leslie. Gah. Growing up is tough!

And if it is not obvious enough already–Del’s wins 5 out of 5 stars.  Maybe 6.

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lifestyle, twin cities

Chatterbox Bloody Mary

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Today I continued my search for the best Bloody Mary in the Twin cities.  We went to Chatterbox for brunch–it’s a fun restaurant in St. Paul that has board games for you to play while you wait for your food.  The special thing about Chatterbox’s Bloody is that they don’t use vodka.  Instead, it has saki.  This change in alcohol makes the drink much smoother than your average bloody.  Still, the toppings are weak.  No cheese, only a baby pickle, and a cherry tomato?!? Really don’t feel like the cherry tomato is necessary since the entire drink has that overall tomato flavor.  Rather have a brussel sprout that compliments the tomato flavor instead of just piling on more tomato.  Still, the chasers at Chatterbox are excellent.  Any type of beer for no additional charge.  Plus large Bloody Marys are half off during brunch.  Cannot say no to that!

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