This is the chronicle of two men who share the same last name and penchant for putting alcohol into their tomato-based beverages. Two brothers from different mothers, who are united—not by blood—but by bloody. My name is Todd Hanson—maybe you know me from my Instagram pictures of Bloody Marys (#toddsbloody)? Maybe not. My friend and drinking companion on this quest is Justin Hanson, who is not only one heck of a guy, but also one heck of a bloody aficionado himself. Follow us around Winona and beyond as we seek out the best Bloody Marys this area has to offer and report back our findings in the greatest detail our bloody addled memories will allow—one drinking hole at a time. It’s a tough calling, but somebody’s got to do it.
Pooter’s Sports Bar
Location: 14 S Main St, Altura, MN
Price: $7 for 16oz / $8 for 20oz
Other info: Pooter’s offers a variety of infused vodkas including basil/cilantro/tomato/peppercorn, jalapeño, and peppercorn. They also offer a horseradish bloody. On Sunday, the bloodys are on special for $6 for 16oz / $7 for 20oz.
Justin: I haven’t been to every establishment in the area but this was one of the better bloodys that I have had. The Bloody Mary drink itself was really delicious. It had a great compliment of garnishes to go with the tasty mix. I spoke with Pooter, who made our drinks, and found out that the vodka was infused with their own recipe. They have two recipes of infused vodkas with one being spicy, and the other is more of a non-spicy, yet flavorful vodka. I had the non-spicy infused vodka with the mix that was originally created as a combination of Pooter and his wife’s mix. Overall, the Bloody Mary was unique, delicious, and worth the short drive.
Todd: After hearing about this bloody via an email from Jeanna Ellinghuysen and then from one of the actual bar owners that heard about our bloody blog—we decided we should probably go and check this one out. I got my bloody made by Pooter himself. It turns out, he doesn’t even drink bloodys—though you’d never know from the mix they make there because it’s really good. I guess it’s kind of like how Stevie Wonder doesn’t need to see the piano to play the hell out of it, or something to that effect. Not only was the mix on point, you’ve also got a meal in there including some local Kickass beefsticks, and I love a good rimmer (you know what I’m talking about you perverts). Pooter asked me whether I wanted a 16oz or a 20oz and whether I wanted it spicy or regular. I wanted it spicy and the big one, obviously. All I have to say is, the price and the trip there was well worth it and I’d make it again to have another. Maybe I’ll go for their horseradish bloody next time.
Steiny’s Bar
Location: 501 W 4th St, Winona, MN
Price: $3.75
Other info: Get their standard bloody anytime and on Sundays get their “Megabloody” for only $3 which has a lot more food in it and is served all day until gone.
Todd: We had multiple people comment about the Steiny’s bloody on our facebook page after we did our first bloody post, so Justin and I headed down there. Previously, my only experiences at Steiny’s involved drunken nights at their former Thursday night karaoke (RIP), trolling their Touch Tunes, and downing spicy pickled eggs (which might make a good bloody companion). Their Bloody Mary is deceptively simple and classic, but their made-from-scratch-every-time mix hits the spot just right and the price is right for a bloody and a beer chaser too. Also, I will add the pickle in there was great and I was feeling that Texas Pete’s. We plan to come back on a Sunday for their “Megabloody” soon.
Justin: I had heard about the Bloody Mary that Steiny’s offered a few times, yet never had the chance to get one until now. The mix in the bloody was full of flavor, which made me curious what was in it. I asked the bartender and she told me that they made their own mix that consisted of tomato juice, Texas Pete’s Hot Sauce, a type of garlic salt, pickle juice, as well as some other seasonings. The bloody mix had a touch of sweetness with a kick. The garnishes that came with were two olives, two different kinds of cheese, a beef stick, and a pickle. This bloody is definitely one to try!
Check back to see our continuing bloody adventures. We’ll try to hit up a few places in each post. Also, be sure to let us know if you’ve got the lead on a must have Bloody Mary near the Winona area. If you do, you can email me and maybe you’ll see it in our next adventure. Until then—stay bloody.
Header photo credit: Ben Steinquist