The Drop Shot Wins People’s Choice at Bloody Mary Festival

Bloody Marys are making a comeback—but not the traditional V8-based versions many people remember. Today’s takes on the classic cocktail are more creative, elevated, and often served as a full experience.

This nationwide event takes place in multiple cities across the country. At this year’s 8th Annual New York City Bloody Mary Festival in Brooklyn on March 21, the only bar representing Queens came from an unexpected place—a beachside pickleball club. The Drop Shot Bar, located inside Rockaway Beach Pickleball & Golf on Beach 97th Street, not only represented the borough but also took home the People’s Choice award for Best Bloody Mary.

The win wasn’t just about taste, they were equally impressed by the drink’s presentation.

Lori Tellone, co-owner of The Drop Shot Bar with her brother, Mike Tellone, John Walsh and Justine Moriarty, credits the recipe to a family legacy. “My Uncle Steve created a version of this mix back in the 1970s,” she said. “I’ve been serving Bloody Marys on Sundays at the bar ever since we opened in June.”

What sets their drink apart is its over-the-top garnish and hearty composition. “It’s really a meal in a cup,” Tellone explained. “A Rockaway version of surf and turf—caramelized bacon, shrimp, pickled vegetables, and a homemade crouton—all for $13 and only on Sunday’s.”

Her brother and co-owner, Mike Tellone, added with a laugh, “It’s our version of Gatorade. What better way to get your electrolytes back after a two-hour open play than with a Bloody Mary and a snack on top?”

The drink is officially named Uncle Steve’s Bloody Mary Mix, a Rockaway Beach recipe that pays tribute to its roots and the man behind it. “I learned from the best,” Lori Tellone said. “Of course, I had to name it after him.”

Despite Rockaway Beach Pickleball & Golf and The Drop Shot Bar only opening in June 2025, the team entered the competition with confidence—though not without nerves. “We were up against some of the best bars out there,” Tellone admitted. “But as a sports club and a new community hub, we knew we had to make an outing out of it,” added co-owner John Walsh. “Our Rockaway extended community really showed up and supported us.”

Other winners at the festival included Morgan’s Brooklyn BBQ, a lobster roll entry from Montauk for Best Traditional Bloody Mary, and LaBonne’s Markets for Best Bottled Mix—placing The Drop Shot Bar among top-tier Bloody Mary contenders in New York.

For the Tellones, however, the recognition goes beyond the award.

“One of the main reasons we opened the facility and the bar was to build community,” Walsh said. “We want people to know the Rockaways is a place you can come year-round, meet great people, and feel at home.” With a winning cocktail, a growing pickleball scene, and a strong sense of local pride, The Drop Shot Bar is quickly becoming a destination—not just for players, but for anyone looking to experience the flavor of Rockaway Beach.