Best Bloody Marys in San Diego, 2017
2017 was a fabulous year! Bloody Mary Obsessed has had the pleasure of trying a multitude of diverse and tasty bloody marys from all over San Diego. My liver may not be thanking me, but you will, when you read my top picks for 2017! The list is in no particular order, so you'll have to try them all!
Cafe 21
Cafe 21 delivers not one, but three incredible bloody marys, all made from the freshest ingredients and completely from scratch! That's right, even the juice itself is made #farmtobar; fresh and sourced from local and sustainable produce. Fresh, to death. Ol' Yello' Mary is my top pick but neither will disappoint
Nolen Rooftop
Do you love blue skies, unbelievable views and great food and drinks? Look no further than the 14th-floor rooftop destination bar, The Nolen, for “The Sunday Requirement.” With a diverse menu of four bloody marys with unique spins on the traditional bloody, I say choose the Sunday Morning Remedy or Penelope. Breath in the fresh air and sip away your hangover in style.
Farmer's Table
The Barnyard Mary at Farmer’s Table is quite literally one of the most outrageous bloody marys I’ve had, ever. The farm-to-table restaurant brings the whole farm to this bloody and some friends from the sea. Yes, that is an entire rotisserie chicken on top! They also have four other "smaller" bloody marys if you're not feeling a whole chicken at 9:00 a.m.!
La Valencia
One of the best bloody marys in La Jolla combined with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean make La Valencia’s bloody mary menu too good to pass up. My pick is the Bayou bloody with a fried oyster and jumbo shrimp on top! Feeling a little sassy? Go for the Bloody Maria with tequila!
The Roxy
If you are headed up to north county San Diego then you can’t pass up The Roxy, in Encinitas! The “Everything but the Kitchen Sink,” bloody has a super-secret house-made mix that is delicious and is literally topped with everything but the kitchen sink. It also comes with a Miller High Life pony, a Midwestern staple for bloodys!
Cali Comfort BBQ
Bacon lovers rejoice. The Monster Mary from Cali Comfort BBQ is topped with a hot, aromatic, dripping piece of candied bacon! Need I say more? The food and bloody marys are a labor of love at Cali Comfort.
OB Surf Lodge
Beach, breeze, bloodys are all one needs. OB Surf Lodge looks right out into the ocean and the OB Pier. Not only are the views stunning but the Kitchen Sink bloody is 100% vegan and the garlic, horseradish, and veggies are freshly squeezed and grated daily for the mix! Yum!
Cucina Urbana
This Italian restaurant is not a brunch spot but low key, they have the most delicious bloody mary. You won’t find this completely from scratch cocktail on the menu (made with the days Specialty Produce delivery), you just need to know to ask for it! You’re welcome!
1909 Temecula
It may be a little out of San Diego in Temecula, but if you’re headed up to wine country it’s worth stopping in! The Carnivore has a 30+ ingredient mix, topped with meaty goodness. They save plastic by using a beef jerky straw to sip your massive cocktail! If meats not your thing they have several other options delivered straight to you by a table-side bloody mary cart, bartender included!
Craft & Commerce
Prefer Gin over vodka? Well I have great news for you! The Queen Mary at the quirky and hip Craft & Commerce is made with gin. The gin gives the bloody a great floral note and complexity. It’s spicy and balanced. Oh, and let’s not forget about the crispy and juicy Korean BBQ wing!
Draft
This bar doesn’t just have great beers on tap (and they have a lot) they have an excellent bloody mary. The vodka is infused with chili de arbol peppers to spice up your life and the abundant spices pack the bloody mary with flavor. I love to sit on the couches with the open windows and take in the views of the ocean and boardwalk.
Davanti Enoteca
San Diego’s best build your own bloody mary bar is in the heart of Little Italy. Some of the toppings include an extensive amount of hot sauces, pickled veggies, hard-boiled eggs, and prosciutto wrapped asparagus. The best part is you have a bloody mary assistant who builds your cocktail for you, to absolute perfection!
JRDN
JRDN is beachside in the Tower 23 Hotel. The bloody mary is elegant and they use cilantro and jalapeños to infuse the vodka. It’s not too spicy, light and refreshing, which is perfect for those beach days! Sit on the patio and soak up some sunshine while you sip your classy beverage.
Fruitcraft- Fermentery & Distillery
Fruitcraft, where the Eau de Vies spirits are fermented from fruit and not grains! The spirits are herb-infused and the cocktail is perfectly balanced. Fruitcraft is employee owned and has a long-term goal of reinvesting in local startups. Bloody marys driven by a mission just taste better!
Breakfast Republic
You can’t go wrong with the Jurassic Pork Bloody at Breakfast Republic. There’s nothing archaic about this bold, tangy, peppery, savory bloody mary. The thick piece of bacon would satisfy any carnivore. Lucky for you they have several locations to choose from so you’re always close by a Breakfast Republic!
So there you have it folks! My favorite bloody marys of 2017 in San Diego. Tasting all these bloody marys is a tough job but someone has to do it! Make sure you follow me on Instagram @bloodymaryobsesed for all the best bloody mary and brunch spots in San Diego! They say you are what you eat, so, here's to another year and hoping I don't turn into a tomato! Cheers!
Liz McCray is a featured food blogger for Free to Dream Magazine
