By Jack Smith
The origin of the Bloody Mary revolves around two of the world’s greatest bars. The tale begins in the roaring twenties at the famous New York Bar in Paris (later known as Harry’s New York Bar), one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite haunts. There, bartender Fernand ‘Pete’ Petiot is said to have conceived the first rudimentary version. After prohibition, Petiot moved to the U.S. where he refined his invention at one of my favorite bars, the King Cole Bar, located in the St. Regis Hotel in New York. There, in 1934 it is said Pete enhanced his creation by adding a few dashes of salt, pepper and cayenne, along with Worcestershire Sauce and lemon juice, to the vodka and tomato juice, which he served shaken over crushed ice.
The story of how the cocktail got its name is as unclear as the libation itself, but my favorite version of history is that Pete named it so, after a patron remarked that it reminded him of his girlfriend Mary who was a dancer in a cabaret called a Bucket of Blood. No matter the history, today the Bloody Mary is one of America’s most beloved cocktails… perhaps that is because we can drink it, guilt free, before noon!
Cheers to the Bloody Mary!
Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant
5551 N Lagoon Drive, PCB | (850) 234-2225
captandersons.com
Is there anything more decadent than buttery Scallops? Their rich flavor makes an exceptional accompaniment to a Bloody Mary. They can also bring down the heat a little bit, especially if you have a heavy pour on the Tabasco! Try Capt. Anderson’s super colossal Seared Sea Scallops with a traditional Bloody Mary!
Schooners
5121 Gulf Drive, PCB | (850) 235-3555
schooners.com
You can never go wrong with the White Cheddar Cheese Curds Appetizer and a Bloody Mary! Cheese always makes an excellent accompaniment to tomato and its gooey nature contrasts nicely with the horseradish in the Bloody Mary. Enjoy it with a view at Schooners!
The Wicked Wheel
10025 Hutchison Boulevard, PCB | (850) 588-7947
thewickedwheel.com
The Wicked Wheel serves up a wicked great Bloody Mary with their “Wicked Mary.” This Bloody Mary comes with 3 ounces of copper distilled Tito’s Vodka mixed with Whiskey Willy’s Bloody Mary mix in a 20-ounce souvenir glass for you to take home. Garnished with greens & served ice cold.
Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
14501 Panama City Beach Pkwy, PCB | (850) 588-1996
rudysbbq.com
The same original recipes that built Rudy’s reputation in Leon Springs, Texas, are now available throughout the South. Come in and enjoy our famous Texas-style Bar-B-Q, beans, chili, corn on the cob and much more. Celebrate the next holiday Texas-style.
The Pancakery
13800 Panama City Beach Pkwy, PCB | (850) 588-5077
thepancakery.com
The Pancakery started in Destin and opened it’s doors March 2011. After a huge success, The Pancakery expanded down the coast to a second location in Panama City Beach in 2017. Come check out what makes The Pancakery the Florida Panhandle’s FAVORITE breakfast spot! Nothing says “good morning” like a bloody mary and a pancake. Hey, relax, you’re at the beach.
Señor Frogs
15005 Front Beach Road, PCB
senorfrogs.com/panama-city-beach
Come for the food, stay for the fun. Our fiesta taco salad is a party in your mouth with a crispy flour tortilla, beans, rice, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, queso fresco, with chipotle dressing and your choice of chicken, shrimp, arrachera or carne asada. Or try our seafood gumbo with shrimp, scallops, crawfish, crab, andouille sausage, okra and steamed rice.
San Marcos Mexican Grill Pier Park
101 Bluefish Drive, Suite 105, PCB | (850) 708-3097
www.sanmarcosmexicangrillpierpark.com
San Marcos Mexican Grill is a family-owned and -operated Mexican restaurant. The family is committed to serving authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex fare including handmade corn tortillas and homemade, tableside-prepared guacamole! Pair the delicious dishes with a range of margaritas, or a draft or bottled beer. You can even have your furry friends join you on the pet-friendly patio! Any day is a good day to chill at the grill.
Boon Docks
14854 Bay View Circle, PCB | (850) 230-0005
boondocksfl.com
Located under the mighty oaks on the Intracoastal Waterway just 5 minutes from the beaches in West Bay, Boon Docks offers you a delicious array of local and regional seafood prepared in a variety of ways. We use a special blend of spices that gives our grilled items a taste like no other! Our unique breading recipe gives our fried seafood a special and original flavor. And we’re always serving ice cold beer and the best Bloody Marys on the beach!
