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There may be no other cocktail quite as accommodating as a bloody mary. Keep some semblance of a vodka, horseradish and tomato juice base and you can put anything in there as a “garnish” — meat, vegetables, cheese, potato chips and even other types of booze. In addition to transforming itself into a veritable meal in glass — and in combination with its power as a folksy hangover cure — it’s the yang to the mimosa’s yin in a world of breakfast cocktails. It’s also kind of healthy? And the best chance to get some people to eat their celery. These local establishments offer big brunch bloodies to jumpstart your weekend. And if you aren’t ready to get day drunk, we tossed a couple of “detox” drinks in the list as well.
The Anchor-OTR // The Longshoreman’s Bloody Mary consists of tomato juice, horseradish, pickle and olive juice, four different hot sauces, citrus, spices and a touch of umami with Old Bay seasoning. The garnish showcases the restaurant’s fresh seafood, with the option to add a lobster claw, shrimp, an oyster — or all three — for an upcharge. 1401 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, theanchor-otr.com Photo: Hailey BollingerCrazy Fox Saloon // The Crazy Fox bloody mary changes every Sunday, but always features outrageous garnishes like cinnamon rolls, sliders, sushi and falafel (though, sadly, not all at once). The mix is made with San Marzano and fire-roasted tomatoes, and the horseradish, hot sauce and Worcestershire are added based on personal preference. 901 Washington Ave., Newport, 859-261-2143. Photo: Brittany ThorntonThe Eagle // This bloody mary is made with Tito’s vodka, a bit of Guinness stout and housemade mix. The garnish feels pleasantly light in comparison to other big bloodies, with kale, a slice of candied bacon, olives, pickles and peppers. 1342 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, theeagleotr.com. Photo: Hailey BollingerIncline Public House // Served only during Sunday brunch, the Ultimate Mary uses a housemade mix as a base and comes topped with bacon, jumbo shrimp, a pickle, an olive, a cherry tomato, celery and housemade crispy onions. 2601 W. Eighth St., inclinepublichouse.com. Photo: Hailey BollingerMaplewood Kitchen and Bar // Maplewood’s Roasted Tomatillo Bloody switches it up by going green. Tito’s vodka is blended with housemade roasted tomatillo bloody mary mix and house-pressed, earthy Super Green juice (spinach, pineapple, romaine, kale, parsley, celery), served with a garnish of kale, an olive, a cheese cube, tomato and celery. 525 Race St., Downtown, maplewoodkitchenandbar.com. Photo: Hailey BollingerNorthside Yacht Club // The bar’s secret bloody mix is infused with Tito’s vodka and citrus juices and then topped with an obscene smörgåsbord of meat: a house breakfast sausage slider on a Sixteen Bricks bun, American hickory bacon, a house-smoked Amish chicken wing and a piece of celery, obviously. 4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, northsideyachtclub.com. Photo: Catie VioxMetropole // The 21c’s Metropole offers a take on
“healthy” breakfast cocktails with its Detox/Retox menu, which combines gin, tequila or vodka with fresh fruit, veggies and electrolytes. The Killer Tofu has vodka, beet juice, lemon-rose-lavender simple syrup and Greek yogurt — like a booze smoothie. The Wascally Wabbit features tequila, Cappelletti (the apertivo, not the pasta) and carrot-apple-ginger shrub. And the Just Argula Guy has a gin base with argula and citrus. The restaurant also offers a build-your-own mimosa option with flavors and toppings including orange blossom water and sparkly liquid mercury. 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com. Photo: Hailey BollingerRooted Juicery + Kitchen
If you want to detox without the alcohol (but you want to add caffeine), Rooted’s downtown location has a line of espresso drinks made with house-pressed nut mylks and boosters like activated charcoal, plus drinkable latte “remedies” featuring turmeric and ashwagandha, tulsi moringa tea, goji berry, matcha or dandelion. 17 E. Sixth St., Downtown, rootedjuicery.com. Photo: Phillip Heidenreich