Whether you’re pregaming for an early kickoff, in the mood for some leisurely Sunday sipping or looking to recuperate your electrolyte count, look no further than the bloody mary. These spicy tomato-based elixirs (dotted with a shake or two of liquor) are designed to induce tingles and alleviate trembles.
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On my sip-n-search mission to bring you the Augusta River Region’s best bloodies, I sought out several non-negotiables. They must
▪︎be flavorful
▪︎have good consistency, and
▪︎have a balance of acid and heat.
But for me, it’s a strong garnish game (read flamboyance) that can make this cocktail a standout. So I bring you three well-adorned bloody marys, full of flavor and flair.
In a tall glass rimmed with red pepper flakes and salt, DiVino’s pours a delightfully zesty Zing Zang-based bloody mary. It is then adorned with crispy bacon, citrus and celery. And those colossal briny olives? Brine stimulates the liver to detox, and the bacteria from fermentation soothes an irritated stomach. Can I prove it? Absolutely not. I’m no doctor-just a superior hypothesizer.
Brunch is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
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DiVino Ristorante Italiano
465 Railroad Avenue #100
North Augusta
(803) 426-8675
At Frog & the Hen, the Hen Ultimate Bloody Mary is also appropriately nicknamed Breakfast in a Glass. This powerhouse starts with a long pour of vodka and housemade bloody mary mix, and then it is fortified with a bastion of bacon, a spice-sprinkled deviled egg and a southern fried Joyce Farms chicken wing. That’s right. Three proteins. Why is that important? Because protein helps your body defend itself against the potential effects of over-imbibing. (And who doesn’t need a safety net when bad decisions are being made?)
Brunch is 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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Frog and the Hen
466 Flowing Wells Road, Suite 4
Martinez
(706) 755-2767
The folks at Southbound Riverside craft what they call the Austin-tacious Bloody Mary, adoringly named for one of their best guys. Using Durty Gurl Bloody Mary Mix as a base, they stack this tower of love with celery, citrus, olives, bacon, and an Almost Famous chicken wing. Perhaps it’s my imagination, but this bloody mary tastes a little more boozy than the others. But fear not! That’s actually a good thing. You see, alcohol contains methanol, and methanol affects how the body processes alcohol. So those two can quibble it out while you fly off into the sunset on your hangover-free dragon.
Southbound Riverside
1009 Center St.
North Augusta
Brunch is served at noon each Sunday.
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The bottom line is this: the right bloody mary can be a veritable smorgasbord of invigorating goodness. High in sodium, vitamin C and protein, it’s a vegetable- based blanket for your stomach and/or can restore you to your pre-tequila shots self. Oh, come on, now! Can bloody marys really do that? Maaaaybe. At the very least they’ll soften the blow of your withdrawal. If it even works just a little, isn’t it worth it?
Chime in below with your favorite bloody mary spot. I’m always in search of satisfying sips.
Ann Beth Strelec is known around town as the Naked Epicurean, sampling the finest cocktails known to Augustans. Find out about adult beverages at The Augusta Press on the first and third Friday or on Instagram @NakedEpicurean
