4 Atlanta bartenders pick the best Bloody Mary

It’s a weekend morning, and you’re completely depleted after the previous night’s bar adventures. We feel you, and asked four Atlanta bartenders where they go for the best Bloody Mary brunch to cure what ails them after a little overindulgence.

“My girlfriend and I typically head to Wrecking Bar for a good Bloody Mary brunch. Between their house-made mix, which includes barbecue sauce, they also put a splash of either Sow Your Wild Oatmeal stout or Slap Your Mamma porter on top. It’s exactly what I need when I’m dragging on a Sunday.” — Ian Cox, craft spirits specialist and U.S. Bartenders Guild-Atlanta president

Wrecking Bar Brewpub, 292 Moreland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404221-2600,

“Definitely Cypress Street Pint & Plate. How much more fun can you make a Bloody Mary than to put a slider on it? It’s cheeky and fun — everything that Sunday morning should be.” — Kaleb Cribb, head barkeep, Holeman and Finch

Cypress Street Pint & Plate, 817 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta. 404815-9243, cypressbar.com. Bloody mary brunch hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

“I am most frequently found drinking a Bloody Mary with gin or tequila at Ration and Dram. Andy Minchow and his team are experts in producing a great mix as well as spicing according to what base spirit I may be requesting, and they always garnish with delicious house-made treats to compound the experience.” — Greg Best, owner, Ticonderoga Club

Ration and Dram, 130 Arizona Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 678-974-8380, rationanddram.com. Bloody mary brunch hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

“I love Bloody Marys, but like mine a little different. I don’t know if there’s a name for it, but I call them mezcal Marys. The General Muir has the best mezcal mary. I love the heat and smoke the mezcal gives the drink, and, let’s be honest, the best part of a Bloody Mary is the pickled veggies. Since the General Muir pickles everything in-house, it’s extra delicious.” — Chasity West, general manager, S.O.S. Tiki Bar and Victory Sandwich Bar

The General Muir, 1540 Avenue Place, Atlanta. 678-927-9131, thegeneralmuir.com. Bloody mary brunch hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

on how to make the perfect Bloody Mary at myAJC.com/dining.

5 things to know about Georgia’s Sunday ‘better brunch bill’

Does a mimosa before 12:30 p.m. make for a better Sunday brunch? Well, Georgia lawmakers sure don’t think so.

For the second year in a row, a “better brunch bill” that would have let Georgia restaurants sell alcohol earlier on Sundays failed to win passage before this year’s legislative session ended last month. Supporters have vowed to try again in January.

In the meantime, here’s what you need to know:

1. Georgia formerly banned any sort of purchase of alcohol on Sundays in deference to the state’s once-powerful religious lobby, but lawmakers over the past several years have allowed Sunday sales at retail package stores and restaurants as long as they were made after 12:30 p.m.

2. Senate Majority Leader Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, blocked the brunch bill (House Bill 535) in his chamber, saying it would upset what he called a “fragile compromise” between legislative leaders and the faith community over allowing any sort of Sunday alcohol sales.

3. Earlier pouring times on Sundays would produce almost $11 million in additional tax revenue for state and local governments, according to the brunch bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Brett Harrell, R-Snellville. It’s worth noting that government-owned buildings — such as the Georgia World Congress Center or other convention centers — are already allowed to serve before 12:30 p.m. on a Sunday since the current restriction only applies to privately owned restaurants.

4. At least 4,000 Georgia restaurants likely would take advantage if the law changed, according to Karen Bremer, the CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association.

5. An $80,000-a-year increase — that’s how much Jay Kazlow, who owns Dantanna’s in downtown Atlanta, estimates he could earn with earlier pour times on Sundays on just the days when the Atlanta Falcons play home games near his restaurant.