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BLOODY MARYS IN LARRY
KATE LARRABEE
Ask someone what he or she thinks of Bloody Marys and you are sure to receive a variety of responses. They can range from grimaces at the thought of mixing vodka with tomato juice to adoration from diehard fans who swear by Bloody Marys, like Alex Bergin, a senior from Leawood who loves them because of their interesting and savory flavor. But Bloody Marys aren't just tomato juice and voda — this cocktail can pack a punch and include upwards of 15 ingredients, ranging from more commonly-found additions like Tabasco sauce or celery salt, to oddities like beer or beef jerky. It all depends on how you like yours. Some, like Bergin, like theirs hot, and some like theirs mild, but no matter how you like your 'Mary, you can find one that fits your taste in Lawrence.
LOUISE'S WEST
Alex Krantz, a first-year law student from Overland Park, loves Bloody Marys and has tried creating his own at home, but has yet to find the perfect ratio. When he craves a Bloody Mary, Krantz heads to Louise's West for one of their specialty drinks. Kyle Reynolds, a bartender who has been mixing 'Marys at Louise's for two and a half years, says he thinks the variety of spices that goes into their signature Greek seasoning, a blend that the bartenders at Louise's have been using for at least 10 years, is what makes them so good. Bergin and his girlfriend Leigh Nelson, a senior from Leawood, frequent this local favorite to appease their cravings for Bloody Marys, both agreeing that Louise's has mastered its recipe.
Reynolds won't divulge all of the ingredients that go into one of the cocktails, but he says you can expect to taste Tabasco, pepper and a variety of steak seasonings in your first sip.
Craving one of Louise's Bloody Marys now? They are regularly $3.50, but if you go on a Sunday they are on special for $2.50. LOCATED AT: 1307 W. Seventh Street
THE BOURGEOIS PIG
Affectionately referred to as "The Pig" by regulars, The Bourgeois Pig also has its own, unique formula for Bloody Marys. Ann Iverson, a bartender and 2006 graduate, says
she thinks the fact that each Bloody Mary is tailored specifically to what the drinker likes is what makes their version of the cocktail so great. Kendall Mackey, a graduate from Prairie Village, loves their Bloody Marys because she can have hers as spicy as she likes it. She also thinks they have the best ingredients.
Iverson says the typical Bloody Mary at The Pig includes their house-infused hot pepper vodka, five different spices, fresh lime, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, some tomato juice and a dab of Old Rasputin Imperial Stout. Iverson says she thinks the house vodka, which infuses for two weeks, and the dash of beer is what makes a Bloody Mary at The Pig so special.
They are regularly $6.25 but you can get one on Sundays for $4.75.
LOCATED AT: 6 E. Ninth Street
PACHAMAMA'S
Parashant Patel says when you order a Bloody Mary at Pachamama's, you can expect one that is above and beyond your expectations. Patel, a bartender, says when it comes to Bloody Marys, it's not about the ingredients so much as it is about the proportions of the ingredients. There is definitely a chemistry in creating the perfect Bloody Mary, and Patel says that at Pachamama's, one Bloody Mary can include celery salt, peppers, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lime, Jamaican Pic-aPepper, Tabasco, olive juice, pickled pepper juice and a garnish consisting on a heart of celery, cornishon pickle and olives. Not to mention the tomato juice and, of course, vodka. Patel recommends using a medium-quality vodka and says you don't need a premium because the vodka is already fighting all of the different flavors.
Want to try Pachamama's take on a Bloody Mary? They are $5 every Tuesday through Saturday.
LOCATED AT: 800 New Hampshire
WHERE TO FIND SOME OF LAWRENCE'S MOST POPULAR SPICY DRINKS
Photo illustration Jerry Wang
**Spice it up:** The Bloody Mary is not for the faint of heart. It contains a large variety of strange ingredients, including Worcestershire sauce and tomato juice, and is served in bars all over Lawrence. To try one of the many takes on the spicy drink, visit Louise's West, The Bourgeois Pig or Pachamamas.
BE YOUR OWN BARTENDER:
THE ALGONQUIN BLOODY MARY:
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz. vodka
4 oz. tomato juice
1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
6 dashes Tabasco sauce
Juice of 1/2 lime
Salt
Pepper
1 lime wedge
Ice
>> Pour vodka, juices, sauce and ice into a shaker, adding salt and pepper to your preference. Shake. Strain over clean ice cubes into a highball glass and add lime wedge.
*For a Virgin Mary, don't include the vodka.
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