This feature was made possible through a partnership with the Milwaukee Public Market, which is celebrating 20 years of making community in our awesome city.

You probably knew that you could find a Bloody Mary at the Public Market. But did you know that there are as many as 15 different variations available to you, all within the Public Market's District?  It's true.

Here are six to get you started (in no particular order).

1. West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe

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Location: across from Foltz Family Market and Brew City Brand Apparel
(414) 289-8333
westallischeese.com
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West Allis Cheese Shoppe is home to five Bloody Marys. All five begin with Lutz Bloody Mary Mix, a custom blend named for owner Mark Lutz. And they’re all served up with the cutest little can of Hopewell Lil Buddy Lager.

The most popular of the bunch is The Milwaukeean. It features Lutz Bloody Mary Mix, Central Standard Vodka, a bratwurst slider, deep fried cheese curds, Nueske’s bacon, a beef stick, mozzarella whips, a pickle, olive and celery ($13). Becher Meats, a sister company of the Cheese Shoppe in West Allis, makes both the bratwurst and the beef stick.

The Lutz mix has a balanced profile that offers a bit of sweet, salty and a bit of spice. We added a “Hot Shot” to ours (a mix of hot sauces, seasonings and bloody mix), which kicked the heat up to a moderate, but not unmanageable level.

Additional options include: the Basic Bloody (Central Standard Vodka, beef stick, pickle, olive, celery, $10); the Abso-Bloody-Lutely (grilled cheese slider, Nueske’s bacon, beef stick, mozzarella whips, pickle, olive and celery, $13); the Cheesehead (cheese and sausage kabob, Nueske’s bacon, beef stick, mozzarella whips, pickle, olive, celery, $13); and the Breakfast Bloody (bacon infused vodka, hard boiled egg, Nueske’s bacon, a beef stick, mozzarella whips, pickle, olive and celery, $13). 

2. David Alan Alan’s Smokehouse & Saloon

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Location: next to West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shop and across from Thai-namite
(414) 616-1079
daasmokehouse.com
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At David Alan Alan’s you’re treated to a Bloody Mary made with their signature mix. It's a recipe created by David Alan’s wife that features lemon, lime, pickle juice and myriad spices. Beyond that, your vodka choices include: Burnett's, Absolut or Grey Goose. Each Bloody comes topped with a beef stick, celery, a pickle, olive, lemon, lime, smoked mozzarella cheese whips and a whole St. Louis rib ($11).

The flavor profile on this one definitely skews on the salty, tangy side with a good amount of pickle flavor and a decent amount of smoke. The bloody pairs nicely with the rib.  

3. St. Paul Fish Company

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Location: on the east end of the Milwaukee Public Market, next to Thai-namite
(414) 220-8383
stpaulfish.com
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Belly up to the oyster bar at St. Paul Fish Co. and you'll get a small seafood luncheon with your Bloody Mary. Made with a base of locally made Jimmy Luv’s Bloody Mary Mix and Gordon’s vodka (you can sub in your favorite vodka behind the bar). It comes topped with Salmon Crack, shrimp, celery, lemon, lime and a small lobster tail.  Yes, it’s also served with a beer chaser, $16. You can also order everything BUT the lobster tail for $11.

This one is slightly sweet, just salty enough and horseradish forward so it’s perfect enjoyed with the accompanying seafood.

4. Cafe Benelux

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346 N Broadway, (414) 501-2500
cafebenelux.com
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Head over to Benelux and you have your choice of six Bloody Marys. We opted for the most popular: The Milwaukeean, which features horseradish-infused Rehorst vodka, Lakefront Fixed Gear, house bloody mix, bacon and a cheese curd. We also got a pickle, olive, a baby carrot and a beer chaser ($11.50).

Slightly sweet, pleasantly salty and rounded out by the Fixed Gear, the fresh flavor of the horseradish was definitely a highlight in this Bloody. 

Your other Bloody options at Benelux include: The Benelux (vodka, Bloody mix, pickle, carrot and olive, $10; get it gluten-free with Prairie vodka, $11); The Stinking Rose (garlic-infused Rehorst vodka, Bloody mix, beef stick, garlic stuffed olive and shrimp, $13); The “Lux” (Herbs de Provence infused Prairie vodka, Luxembourg mustard, Bloody mix, a blue cheese stuffed olive, $10.50); The Malone (Sriracha, habanero and jalapeno-infused Saint Brady Vodka, Bloody mix, beef stick, shrimp, cheese curd and a biermosa chaser, $12); The Southsider (Rehorst peppercorn-infused vodka, Bloody mix, pickle, carrot, jalapeno stuffed olive, $11).

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By the way, Benelux now has fancy glasses for three of their Bloody Marys which you can take home with you for $6 each. You can have the chaser as well for an additional $4.

5. The Wurst Bar

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Location: at Foltz Family Market across from Oro di Oliva and Marius Bell Floral
(414) 277-5070
foltzfamilymarket.com
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Maybe you’re looking for a spot to hide away for an hour or two. The Wurst Bar is one such spot in the Market. Their Bloody Mary features a housemade mix with your choice of Gordon’s or Tito’s vodka and any beer on tap for your chaser. It’s topped with a skewer of Foltz sausage, a pickle and an olive, $9.

Made with a base of Italian passatta (an uncooked tomato puree) instead of tomato juice, this Bloody Mary is slightly thicker than average with a sweeter, less salty, profile and a more tomato-forward flavor.

6. Margarita Paradise

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Location: across from The Spice House and Anodyne Coffee
(414) 226-2422
margarita-paradise.com
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If you’re looking for spicy, you’ll find your match at Margarita Paradise. Their Bloody Maria is made with tequila instead of vodka along with their housemade Bloody Mary Mix.  It’s served up simply in a glass rimmed with Tajin. Bloody Marias are available in 11-ounce portions for $11 or 24-ounce for $13.

This Bloody is robust, savory, and spicy. Plus, you get the slightly fruity, citrusy, black peppery and vegetal notes from the tequila itself.

Watch for more fun 20th anniversary features on the Milwaukee Public Market at OnMilwaukee all year long.