A Bloody Good Time in Nashville (Plus, a Recipe!)
When I meet new people, one of the first questions I ask them is, “Bloody or Mimosa?” If you know me, you already know what the answer should be. What can I say? It’s not even a weekend if it doesn’t include a Bloody Mary.
Growing up, my sister and I spent a lot of time at my Grandma’s house, especially over the summer. There were a limited amount of drink choices available to us. She had Pepsi, Brisk Iced Tea, Sunny Delight, or canned V8 tomato juice. So when the Pepsi, tea, and Sunny D were out of stock, our only option would be water or V8. Naturally, as kids, we would choose the V8 … because who wants to drink water? LOL JK (kind of).
At first, V8 was a difficult choice and def not a favorite, tbh. But little by little, year by year, it started to grow on me. Later on, I even learned a trick from my sister. Secretly, I think she was trying to make the V8 into a Michelada. I would watch as she slowly cut a lime and rubbed it along the edge of the can. Next, she would add salt as a rim. BOOM! The start of our Bloody Mary obsession at the age of six.
Confirmation of the family obsession continued. Thanksgiving 2022, we visited Uncle Jose and Aunt Sandy in Dallas. On Friday morning, we went to breakfast and Jose ordered a coffee and a cup of tomato juice. My eyes widened. I was curious. When the glass arrived, he quickly grabbed salt, pepper, and a lime and made himself a little drinky drink! I leaned to Steven and said, “Now you know where I get it from.”
So why am I going on and on about tomato juice? Well, here’s the thing. I do love a Bloody Mary, but it needs to have hints of tomato rather than tasting like a shrimp cocktail. IYKYK. Each of the places I’m recommending are those I have personally been to, and they all check the box when it comes to taste. For me, flavor > garnish.
If you’re in the Nashville area, check out these SOC hot spots.
1. Von Elrods (German Town):
Come for the Bloody, stay for the “Big Ass Mimosa.”
Okay, so I know I said you are either a Bloody person or a Mimosa person, but if you like both, then this is your place. This beer garden is truly one of our favorite places to go, especially if we have visitors in town. The Bloody comes in the perfect sized stein, with just the right amount of spice, and pairs well with their pretzels and bratwurst. But what makes this one of our favorite places is the atmosphere, and the fact that Steven can get a mimosa. (Yes, he’s the Mimosa to my Bloody.) And this one is crazy! The BAM is truly a BIG ASS MIMOSA with a full bottle of champagne served in a massive stein. With a dog-friendly beer garden, Bloodys, BAMs, brunch, live music in the summertime, and 35+ beers on tap, you can please everyone in your party.
2. Henrietta Red (German Town)
Come for the Bloody, stay for the oysters.
The Bloody at Henrietta is refreshing, with a punch. It is lighter, so you don’t get full with your breakfast juice. What makes this Bloody super fun is the fact that it’s served at the one place in Nashville I would actually recommend the oysters. Pairing a Bloody with oysters is the ultimate heaven. The oysters at Henrietta are not your typical Gulf oysters from the South. BINGO! As you know, Steven and I lived in the New England area where Matunuck, Chatham, and Wellfleet oysters were easily accessible. So when we saw the oysters were directly from the NE coast, we couldn’t resist but to indulge.
3. Love and Exile Winery Bar (East Nash)
Come for the Bloody, stay for the ‘Gram.
Love and Exile is an influencer’s paradise! Their super chic atmosphere is well-suited for Sunday Fundays. Not many tourists have found out about this place yet, which is great for me and Steven. We love it here. The outdoor patio is fun for hanging out and playing games in the summer, and perfect for our pooch friends. Inside is a super cozy, East Nash vibe with fireplaces, neon signs, and cool artwork. Start your experience with their traditional Bloody, or mix things up with the “Liquid Diet,” served with a full charcuterie skewer making it, of course … Instagram worthy! Keep the party going with their trendy cocktails and locally sourced wine. After my Bloody, I made a switch to the “Pizza Wine,” a canned sparkling red that pairs well with pizza.
4. Butcher and Bee (East Nash)
Come for the Bloody, stay for brunch.
Butcher and Bee is a staple and must-go in East Nashville. We have been here several times for dinner and have never been disappointed. Order the “Chef’s Choice.” TRUST US. If you find yourself away from the rooftops of downtown and looking for a place to fixate on food, this is your spot. When we found ourselves at B&B for brunch, I had to grab their Bloody. Perfectly blended with the just right amount of mix and zero horseshoe radish, it absolutely did not taste like a shrimp cocktail. (Def a hit.) But even more exciting was the brunch experience. Check out their website for the most updated menu, but if they have the biscuits and avocado crispy rice (add chicken and easy egg) you’ll have a true Summer of Carlos experience.
5. The Treehouse (East; 5-Points)
Come for the Bloody, stay for the “FUN!”
We love “The Treehouse!” If you are ever wondering where we might be on a weekend brunch, chances are it’s here. Indeed, we are known by our names and our version of a brunch “Cheers” at The Treehouse. Plus, the Bloody here is spicy, and they have a special green chili vodka that makes it SOC-worthy! For those that are extra bold, they do have a whiskey version of a bloody…, but why mess with a classic, in my opinion. We have a particular love for the area, and 5-points can be dangerous for us. With Red Door and RBQ just around the corner, this could be a brunch that turns into a wild Sunday Funday. Fun for everyone! Check it out and tell Dani that Carlos and Steven sent you.
Well, you made it this far! You deserve a Bloody. If you’re in Nashville, we hope these staple SOC spots will satisfy your taste buds. And if not, here’s how you can make one at home – the SOC way. (That’s me watching Steven make it for me LOL.)
SOC Bloody Recipe (By the Glass)
Ingredients
Cocktail mixer or pint glass
1 shot vodka (if you’re weak)/2 if you mean business (We use Tito’s)
Splash of pickle juice (we have a spicy homemade batch from Uncle John Fortier, but the juice from Wickle’s Wicked Pickle Chips works perfectly as well).
Dash of A1 sauce - TRUST ME
2-3 dashes of Cholula sauce
Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix - this is clutch, no others are acceptable. Fight me.
Directions
Because we are usually a one-and-done kind of couple, we normally make our Bloody Marys by the glass. To make that perfect drink, you want to fill a pint glass to the top with ice. Add the vodka, splash of pickle juice, and dashes of A1 and Cholula sauce. From there, all you need to do is fill the rest of the glass with Zing Zang and mix or shake thoroughly. The rest is totally up to you. Of course, we love a salted rim and lots of olives but everyone has their go-to garnish. Do what feels right.
*updated on 2.25.24 to account for Emery Wood Fire closing Feb 2024