Sundays. Bloody (Mary) Sundays.

Sunday. Bloody Sundays.

Ok, I live in Asheville. Really, I live in WEST Asheville (hence the blog, folks.) My town: Beer City, food central, cocktail haven. To be honest, a year or so ago I had scored a free years subscription to Food and Wine Magazine via some sort of online marketing site, and each month I was Amazed that Asheville was mentioned in some form or another! Not to beat a dead horse, as they say, but for those of us that are locals, now; after the 10th time Asheville is on some “destination” or “best of” list, it becomes the norm or even boring. For me, and a lot of others, when West Asheville eateries and chefs started hitting these lists, or being recognized; this was major! Like, “hey, I’ve been there, I can walk there” kind of thing.

So with all of this eatery and drinking glory, I come to this: Bloody Mary’s. Oh, how I Adore a good Bloody Mary. Especially on a Sunday. Make my heart and insides warm with your delicious spicy and hearty alcoholic wonder, you, that special savory beverage Bloody Mary. Yeah, I could write a few poems, especially after indulging in one or more. I’m not sure where my love for these weekend cocktails came from: the olives, the booze? Maybe it’s in part of my Dad’s love and perpetual consumption of V8 juice when I was a kid or that he couldn’t be anywhere without his Tabasco sauce, (oh, and Dad, I wish you could have been around for the Sirachi craze, you would have Loved it!)

So, here’s the thing, I want my Bloody Mary made for me, and made right. I don’t want to go to a “make it yourself bar,” I don’t want to stir crap in or add stuff or pay $15 because, in my mind, if I’m going do all that work, I could do that at home!! The beauty is being served the perfect cocktail. All I ask is, please, forget the crazy garnishes. No pickled okra, onions, celery or stuffed whatever: give me Olives and olives only. And make the cocktail Right! Too much to ask?

That said, in West Asheville, I have found that The Best Bloody to be had is at The Universal Joint. Here, they make two varieties: spicy and regular both served in a Pint a Glass!!! If you Love spicy, which I do, they make their Bloodys with Absolut Peppar and Sirachi hot sauce. Made with Zing Zang bloody mix, UJ also adds a splash of olive juice and Guinness into all of their bloody Marys. And they take my requests for olive only garnishes. Seriously, it doesn’t get better than this. So here is the kicker, my hubby loves mimosas. Fortunately, Universal Joint also serves one of the best mimosas, with a Cava Brut and OJ, also served….wait for it…in a Pint glass!

Now, I have heard that many other West Asheville eateries/bars serve amazing Bloodys and mimosas; but I kind of think that once you fall in love, there’s no need to keep looking. But, I’m willing to try if anyone wants to challenge me. When it comes to a good a Bloody, I’m up for a challenge, just don’t take me to a “do it yourself Bar.”