The Austin Bloody Mary Hit List

Sweet hangover relief

by Andrea Grimes Updated Dec 29, 2017, 6:47pm CST

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by Andrea Grimes Updated Dec 29, 2017, 6:47pm CST

1 comment / new

A finely made brunch-time Bloody Mary is the most important dish of the weekend, especially when it's not just some Zing Zang and Tito's in a glass for $9. This especially holds true for Austin.

Here is Eater's guide to the best Bloody Marys found in Austin. There are no gimmicks here — for the love of god, please keep that damn cheeseburgers out of the drink — or all-you-can-imbibe specials. These beverages were chosen for craft, quality, and affordability, the finest the city has to offer.

For more brunch needs, here are Eater's picks for essential brunches, the brunch heatmap, barbecue brunch, brunch buffets, and dim sum. And then for cocktails, there are the city's essential bars, hot new ones, and versatile drinking spots.

Everything below is listed in unranked order. If a mighty fine Bloody Mary is missing below, let Eater know over the tipline or over in the comments.

With updates by Nadia Chaudhury.

Launderette

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For a classic Bloody Mary, you can’t do better in this town than Launderette. The beautifully balanced drink is the platonic ideal of Bloodies, rich and tomatoey with just the right amount of salt and sour. You won’t find flashy garnishes, just house-made pickles and a smudge of salt.

2115 Holly St, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 382-1599

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La Condesa

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The unassuming La Condesa Bloody is the sleeper hit of Austin brunch. For the price — $2 — it is literally impossible to find a more impressive and satisfying Bloody Mary in town, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a finer Sunday morning patio on which to enjoy your meal.

400 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701

(512) 499-0300

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Hi Hat Public House

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Damn near better than any of its local vodka-based counterparts, the Hi Hat Bloody Mary features a little spoonful of herbs that makes this sake-based drink land on the palate with such a refreshing splash. And the chunky, garlic-stuffed olive garnish makes for a fine nibble while you wait on your eggs.

2121 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 848-2628

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Weather Up

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The detail-oriented booze professionals at Weather Up wouldn’t be caught dead serving a low-caliber drink at any hour, but the brunch Bloody is an outstanding example of the form. Small but thoughtfully and generously garnished, it’s an instructive exercise in balancing richness and drinkability.

1808 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 524-0464

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Clark's Oyster Bar

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Set sail, or at least pretend to, with Clark’s Oyster Bar’s spicy, sweet Bloody Mary, garnished with a crunchy, sour cocktail onion the size of a quail’s egg. It’s an icy and satisfying beverage perfectly suited to the quiet frivolity of a restaurant dressed up like a yacht club.

1200 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703

(512) 297-2525

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Hoover's Cooking

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Before you tuck into a plate of Hoover Alexander’s show-stopping home cooking, whet your appetite with a surprisingly complex Bloody Mary. The garlic-pepper rim completes the drink, making every sip a little kick in the ol’ hangover.

2002 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

(512) 479-5006

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Frank

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Even if you don’t typically go for a little cheek in your brunch drinks, the sheer charisma of the Frank Red Headed Stranger (available in regular and very-hungover sizes) should win you over. Between the spicy depth of the mix, the bacon garnish and the beer back, you’ll find yourself enjoying this ol’ so-and-so in spite of itself.

407 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701

(512) 494-6894

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