312 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
Brunch is a happy time of the weekend. It’s the time when you get to sleep in late without missing out on breakfasty dishes, even though the clock is technically pushing into the PM.
The brunch spread at Zax’s has an unusual point of difference – their “build your own” bloody mary bar. Which, unsurprisingly, is exactly what it sounds like. They set up a small part of the bar with every ingredient you could ever want to make your own Bloody Mary. You’re given a tall glass filled with ice and a shot of their infused pepper vodka, and directed to the bar to begin creating.
There’s great attention to detail here that really allows you to concoct a highly customised beverage, including a selection of base juices (V8, Clamato, tomato juice).
The range of available ingredients includes olive brine, horseradish, celery salt, lemon juice and various salts and peppers. I was also pleasantly surprised by the generous offering of garnish options – after all, eating from your drink is half the fun.
and the finished product was a thing of olive-centric beauty:
The only criticism I have is their use of infused vodka (which I shall rant about in another post) and that despite the spread, there were still two ingredients missing for my perfect Mary (IE cajun spice mix and my preferred brand of hotsauce). I also couldn’t figure out how exactly you’re supposed to use the salt rimmers since your glass already comes with liquid in it.
Zax opens for brunch at 11am and the DIY BM bar is available on Saturdays and Sundays. You can make a reservation, but it was easy for us to get a table. Since they don’t have “brunch seatings” like some places, you also don’t get rushed out the door. Extra props to the extremely friendly staff, both our server and the lady behind the bar who was eager to walk me through the DIY and checked that I had everything I needed.
The whole concept of a DIY Bloody Mary bar still leaves me in two minds – on the one hand, it’s awesome knowing you’re not going to get a terrible drink. On the other, there’s no element of surprise, and no real reason you can’t just do that at home. Though I suppose you don’t have to clean up after yourself. So, maybe it is a winning system after all!
Posted on Sep 26, 2011
Yah that server was mighty helpful
AND AWESOME!!!
I mean I know it’s called BurgerMaryATX but you should really focus more on me
Glad to see the post!
And by the way, those large metal shakers behind the Juice are where you pour your liquid concoction in to and then rim your glass and then pour the concoction back in your glass!