It's Sunday morning, you overdid it last night, and you're craving brunch and a bloody mary. Luckily, there are tons of terrific bloodies around town to get you back in order, with some tasty brunch dishes offered alongside. Here are six of our favorites, from mixology masterpieces to build-your-own creations.
Freedmen's
West Campus
This beer garden, cocktail lounge and smokehouse offers a popular smoked bloody mary ($9), which comes with your choice of spirit, smoked tomato, lemon Worcestershire sauce and "magic." But if you need to stop a hangover in its tracks, call in the big guns in the form of a Holy Mary ($24)—a quart-sized, whiskey-based bloody topped with a half-pound wedge of brisket, sausage, and spare ribs.
Frank
Downtown/Warehouse District/King William/Southtown
Frank's may be known for its hot dogs and sausages, but don't sleep on its excellent housemade bloody mary. The Red Headed Stranger features bacon-infused Tito's vodka and seasoned salt, topped off with more bacon, cheddar cheese, a jalapeño-studded olive and pepperoncini. A 12-ounce Stranger runs $10, but most drinkers go for the supersized 16-ounce version, which is only $2 more.
Alcomar
South Austin/Bouldin Creek/S. 1st St. District
This Mexican seafood restaurant is known for its sweet and spicy bloody mary, which is made with a housemade mix, serrano-citrus infused vodka, and a chile salt rim. It's only $6 at brunch (Saturday-Sunday, 10-3pm), and $9 the rest of the time.
Swift’s Attic
Downtown
Since it emphasizes creativity on its small-plates menu, it's no surprise that this hot spot lets Sunday brunchers build their own bloodies. For $8, you'll get a choice of two different mixes and a variety of toppings, including peppers, cubed cheese, pickles, bacon, ginger, hot sauce and more.
South Congress Cafe
South Austin/S. Congress Ave/Bouldin Creek
Brunch is served daily at South Congress Cafe, but the best time to drink a bloody there is actually during happy hour (weekdays from 4-7pm), when it will run you just $5. The secret to the cafe's bloody is its special infused Tito's vodka, marinated with a mix of bell peppers, onions, celery, lemon, lime, garlic and jalapeños. Combined with housemade mix, it makes for a spicy and refreshing drink.
Casino El Camino
Downtown
Casino El Camino may be known for its Guy Fieri-approved burgers, but its bloody mary ($8.50) is equally epic, thanks to an ever-changing array of garnishes that may include sandwiches, meatballs, chicken nuggets, olives, sliders, mini-tacos, and corn dogs. (The earlier you get there, the more extensive the topping combination.) They'll also adjust the spiciness level for you on a scale of 1-10, but watch out: anything hotter than a 5 includes ghost peppers.
