One Drink, Five Ways: Bloody Mary

Great Jones Cafe | Cajun Mary

Since 1983, this pint-size Noho eatery with Big Easy flair has fed countless New Yorkers Cajun favorites like jambalaya, blackened catfish and scads of overstuffed po’ boys, best scarfed while raucous tunes boom from the jukebox. Fittingly, the down-on-the-bayou vibe extends to brunch, with andouille-sausage omelettes served alongside jalapeño cornbread and the even spicier Cajun Mary, which kicks like a vicious mule. The Cajun is concocted with jalapeño-steeped vodka (it spends two weeks infusing in a freezer) and garnished with a tart lemon. If you’re lucky, your bartender will be Mark Ibold, the former bassist for indie-rock legends Pavement. Oh, and if you can’t hit brunch, don’t fret: The Cajun's offered all week. ($8.50; $9.50 for infused Stoli vodka)

Verdict: 5 stars. The bloody is full-bodied, with a gentle sweetness that balances out the lip-tingling—and lip-smacking—jalapeño kick. I could drink these from morning till night.

Great Jones Café (54 Great Jones St. between Lafayette and Bowery, 212-674-9304)