The NYC Bloody Mary Festival returned to Brooklyn this past Saturday for its 8th annual celebration of the city’s most creative and crave-worthy Bloody Marys bringing together standout bars, restaurants, distilleries, and mix makers from across the NYC region and beyond. With hundreds of Bloody Mary lovers in attendance, the 2026 festival once again proved why it has become the largest and most anticipated Bloody Mary event in the country.
After an afternoon of spirited sampling and enthusiastic voting from both attendees and expert judges, in a very closely scoring race, this year’s winners are:
Best Bloody Mary – Traditional Recipe:
Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue (Prospect Heights, Brooklyn)
A rich, slightly smokey, expertly balanced – with just the right amount of heat – classic recipe, earned top marks for authenticity and flavor.
Best Bloody Mary – Original Recipe:
Filthy Diamond (Bushwick, Brooklyn)
The “Bloody Filthy”, a deliciously inventive twist that captivated the judges.
Best Garnish:
Crif Dogs (Greenwich Village, Manhattan)
Known for their legendary hot dogs, Crif Dogs delivered an unforgettable bacon-wrapped hot dog garnish that perfectly complemented their Bloody Mary and stole the spotlight.
Best Bottled Mix:
Labonne’s Gameday Bloody Mary Mix (Connecticut)
The judge’s awarded this bold, savory blend with balanced spice, and rich tomato flavor,
People’s Choice Award (Voted by Attendees):
The Drop Shot Bar at Rockaway Pickleball (Rockaway Beach, Queens)
This 40-year-old recipe from a bar located in a pickleball club in Rockaway Beach was a true crowd favorite, earning the most votes from the attendees.
People’s Choice Award – Best Bottled Mix:
Sunday’s Bloody Mary Mix (Pennsylvania)
A standout among bottled entries, delivering smooth, balanced flavor that impressed the attendees.
The 2026 competition featured an impressive and diverse lineup of participants representing neighborhoods across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. This year’s contenders included:
Participating Bars, Restaurants & Distilleries:
Bar Revival (Lower East Side)
Crif Dogs (Greenwich Village)
Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue (Prospect Heights)
Medusa Bar BK (Bushwick)
Bar Chuzo (Bay Ridge)
Chela (Park Slope)
Halftone Spirits (Park Slope)
The Armory (Park Slope)
Filthy Diamond (Bushwick)
Lunch Lobster (Long Island)
The Drop Shot Bar at Rockaway Pickleball (Rockaway Beach, Queens)
Participating Bottled Mixes:
Sunday’s Best (Pennsylvania)
Labonne’s Gameday (Connecticut)
Each participant brought their own unique interpretation of the iconic cocktail – from classic, spice-forward recipes to creative and unexpected flavor profiles – making for an unforgettable tasting experience.
“With so much talent across the five boroughs, it says a lot that Brooklyn took home both top honors this year,” said festival founder Evan Weiss. “And it’s no surprise as so many of this year’s participants came from Brooklyn. There’s a real passion here for craft and creativity, and you can taste it in every pour.”
The judging panel, composed of respected voices across media, hospitality, and the culinary world, included Courtney Iseman, drinks journalist, consultant, and author of the newsletter “Hugging the Bar”; Alejandro López, founder of Toma Beverage Co.; Anna Kate DeBerardino, NYC-based food entrepreneur and seasoned culinary competition judge; and Shauna Farrell, Bloody Mary expert behind @alldaymary. Each brought a unique perspective to the evaluation process, offering insight into the evolving trends shaping the Bloody Mary category. Lopez says, “It was an honor to return to The Bloody Mary Festival as a judge after winning Best Bottled Mixer in 2023 with Toma. The creativity this year—from bold flavor combinations to standout garnishes—made it an especially exciting and delicious experience.”
The 2026 NYC Bloody Mary Festival was proudly supported by a diverse group of brands spanning spirits, specialty foods, and craft beverages, including: Pretzel Jerky, Fort Hamilton Distillery; Bronx Bull Bourbon; Reif Rum; Polar Seltzer; Tipsy Scoop; Montaukila Tequila; Pierre’s Spicy Peanut Butter; Pinaq Liquor; Achilles Heat; SWRL; Pastazerts; Swoon; and Smokehead Whiskey.
For upcoming festival inquiries, including sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities in Austin and Portland, please contact Laura Garcia at laura@thebloodymaryfest.com or call 210.569.9764.
About the NYC Bloody Mary Festival
What started as a neighborhood competition has grown into a nationally recognized tasting event, celebrating the best Bloody Marys across multiple cities. The festival brings together local bars, restaurants, and mix makers while supporting community engagement and showcasing cocktail creativity.
