As we’ve established, the Bloody Mary is the one cocktail which probably allows for more variation than any other. From the sublime to the absurd, the things people will attempt with a Bloody Mary, to make it their own, are boundless. But in as much as some will quickly accept the challenge of including an entire Sunday brunch in (or on) their Bloody Mary, so is it a challenge to master the art of simplicity in a Bloody Mary. The best example of this that I’ve found is over the Vilano Beach Bridge (or, more accurately, the Francis and Mary Usina Bridge). Go over the bridge and make a left at the light. Go about two and a half miles and make a left onto Euclid Avenue, and take it to the end.
Welcome to Aunt Kate’s. Aunt Kate’s sits right on the Tolomato River, and is a perfect place to enjoy a nice Sunday cocktail. Manager Candy Cannon and bartender Amanda Evans were all too happy to oblige my request for what would be their “signature” Bloody Mary, known as a “Bloody Matanzas”:
At first glance, the list of ingredients might seem rather sparse:
- Zing Zang Bloody mary Mix
- St. Augustine Distillery Vodka
- Aunt Kate’s Datil Pepper Sauce
While a standard Bloody mary will get you Fleischmann’s Vodka, Cannon explained that the most important aspect of the Bloody Matanzas is in the use of local ingredients. Along with the locally distilled vodka, they also make their own datil pepper sauce from locally grown peppers. This sauce, combined with the mix, gives the Bloody Matanzas a nice body without being too thick.
Evans told me that they will happily add ingredients such as black pepper, Worcestershire sauce and horseradish at the customer’s (that’d be you) request. Mine came adorned with a a lime wedge, a lemon wedge and the all important olive. Beyond that, though, it was just those three simple, yet all so important, ingredients.
Their secret weapon? The datil pepper sauce; a first for me, by the way. The Bloody Matanzas isn’t all too shy about sinking its teeth into you. You feel it plenty, but it relents just in time for the next savory sip.
So, if you’re looking for a Bloody Mary that’s simple but, at the same time, one which will reach out and insist you take notice, pay a visit to Candy and Amanda at Aunt Kate’s. They’ll get you dialed in just right.
Follow along on our #bloodymarymonday taste tour and check out the other stops we’ve visited: World Famous Oasis Restaurant, Mojo Old City BBQ, Tradewinds Lounge, and Arnold’s Lounge
