Bloody Mary's - We Found Charleston's Best
Many moons ago while still living in Myrtle Beach, my now-husband and I woke up one morning thirsty… for Bloody Mary’s. And not just any Bloody Mary, but the BEST. And preferably in a town we hadn’t been living in for 5+ years. So it was decided: a day trip to Charleston—a mere 2.5 hour ride away—for a DIY Bloody Mary tour was in order. Now, 10 years and 2 kids later, many of the places we visited have shuttered, such as Vickery’s downtown. Others remain, and have grown, such as Taco Boy with their spice-rimmed Bloody in Folly Beach. Thankfully, the Bloody Mary trend—and the compulsion to add as many garnishes as structurally possible—has only continued to get more popular, hand-in-hand with brunches, of course. Another popular cause for a well-made Bloody? To cure a raging hangover—you know the ol’ hair of the dog trick. Today there are more options to try than what would be possible during a “sensible” day-drinking Bloody Mary tour. Lucky for us, we live here now and get to taste-test our way through Charleston’s tomato-focused beverage creations whenever we please. As my husband says, “I’m not sure why this combination was ever conceptualized in the first place—but I must assume that the first person to mix tomato juice with a spirit was cut from the same cloth as the curious culinary explorer who decided to drink what came from a cow’s teat, or the one who decided to eat what came from a chicken’s rear. In hindsight, though risky bets, all solid choices. The Bloody Mary pays off; it can go wrong, but when it wins, it wins big.” Weird musings, I know, but I have to agree. Is the Bloody Mary an odd pairing? Yes. Tasty? When done right. Loved by all? No way. A brunch staple? 100%. Here’s where you can get some of the best—and most photogenic—Bloody Mary’s in Charleston.
The Darling Oyster Bar
If Instagram foodie stardom is what you seek, ‘The Captain’ at The Darling Oyster Bar will lead the way . Only available on Sundays—which was a lesson learned the hard way—’The Captain’ combines vodka with Charleston Mix for a simple yet flavorful Bloody Mary. What makes it so desirable? The garnishes. This choose-your-own- adventure experience allows you to add shrimp, hushpuppies, lobster claws, and King Crab legs till your heart ’s content. Lobster claws, y’all.
Miller’s All Day
You have y our pick of flavors at Miller’s All Day with FOUR different Bloody Mary’s to choose from. All made with MAD Mix—a spicy , herbaceous Bloody Mary mix—the base liquor is what sets each apart: Dixie Black Pepper Vodka f or the classic; Cucumber -infused vodka f or the Garden; Chili-infused vodka for the spicy pepper; or the Big Bourbon with bourbon IN IT and a Wild Turkey 101 floater. Don’t you love options?
Handcraft Kitchen and Cocktails
Another one celebrating the flavors inside locally-owned and produced Charleston Mix is Handcraft Kitchen and Cocktails in Mount Pleasant. Their twist, however, is a serrano- infused vodka that lends just enough heat without being overpowering.
Page’s Okra Grill
The people have spoken: Page’s Okra Grill is consistently named as one of the top Bloody Mary’s in not just Charleston—but the entire Lowcountry. Their bacon Bloody Mary is made with Chilled Dill’s vodka and served up with just the right amount of garnishes in a handy mason jar mug.
The Junction Kitchen and Provisions Sake or vodka?
That ’s your call at The Junction Kitchen and Provisions in Park CircleWith their three options—Fat and Juicy , Natural Blonde, or Juicy Blonde— you can pair y our choice of Bloody with an all-day brunch menu that customer’s rave about. The Junction proudly makes their Bloody Mary’s with local mixes.
Taco Boy
While they may be better known for their margaritas, Taco Boy actually serves up a pretty delicious Bloody Mary, too. The spicy rim is the perfect accompaniment to the tomato-based cocktail. That said, when the sun is shining and you’ve just hit the beach all day , a traditional michelada—a beer with tomato juice or mix and a salt rim—always hits the spot.
The Rappahannock Oyster Bar
Scratch-made by bartender Eric Slaughter, the Bloody Mary mix at The Rappahannock Oyster Bar is delicious, balanced, and full of robust flavors. Their secret weapon? Fish sauce! You can enjoy their homemade mix as a traditional Bloody Mary or as an oyster shooter—one of my personal favorites.
Kiki and Rye
Perhaps one of the most different on the list is the blonde Bloody from Kiki and Rye in Mount Pleasant. Made with tequila and Natural Blonde Mix, this smooth brunch cocktail carries its own weight against the traditional vodka Bloody’s. If you want to go big (or crawling back home), there’s always the Ultimate Bloody Mary from Kiki and Rye that is vodka-based, enormous, and obviously Instagram-worthy.
The Crab Shack The Crabby Mary from The Crab Shack is another DIY -mix maker in town, opting to use their own secret ingredients paired with Absolut Peppar Vodka and a seafood-blend seasoning rim.