A six-foot-plus Bloody Mary?

ALGOMA – Smashed on the Rocks, a seasonal, lakefront bar at Sunrise Cove in Algoma, has long been known for its award-winning loaded Bloody Mary.

Come Saturday, July 4, co-owner Rāna Ninneman hopes the business — now in its 13th year — can create and serve the world’s largest, standing over six feet tall and holding more than 300 gallons of the popular brunch cocktail.

The idea came about after the Bloody Mary Festival in Milwaukee in 2023, where Smashed on the Rocks’ signature drink won the People’s Choice Award for the third year in a row.

“Even though we were invited back, we thought, technically, we have the best Bloody Mary in Wisconsin — according to the people — now we should do the biggest,” Ninneman said. “So we started looking into that. It’s currently held in Canada, 155 gallons, so obviously we have to double or nothing — we’re going for over 300 (gallons).”

Bloody Mary drinks from the custom-made mug will be free beginning around 1 p.m. as part of a day-long celebration for the 250th anniversary of the United States and Smashed on the Rocks’ annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. Live music begins at 9 a.m. and goes until midnight. There will be fireworks.

The stainless steel, food-grade mug holding the ingredients for the world-record attempt has a tap for dispensing and a viewing window so visitors will be able to see it go down as the day turns into night.

“It’s painted and replicated to look just like our Bloody Mary,” Ninneman said. “As long as there’s no waste and it’s consumed, we can break the record not only for the biggest Bloody Mary by volume, but hopefully the most people served.”

Ninneman said admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or make a cash donation.

“We’re raising money for local veterans groups, VIP (Violence Intervention Project) in Algoma and doing a food drive,” Ninneman said. “We wanted to do something big for America’s 250th birthday — something that brings people together, supports great causes and creates a memory people will talk about for years.”

Algoma’s lighthouse and catwalk won’t be in the background for photos this year, but one of the Viking cruise ships is in port that day. Ninneman said she hopes one or more of the ship’s tender boats will participate in the Blessing of the Fleet, staging in and traveling through the Ahnapee River and out into Lake Michigan.

The Algoma Fire Department will provide a water salute for participating vessels, and Ninneman said if it’s not involved in any search and rescue missions, there’s a chance the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter from Traverse City will do a flyover during the event.

Algoma Mayor James Winter will also speak prior to the Blessing of the Fleet.