The iconic weekend brunch cocktail, the Bloody Mary celebrated her 80th birthday this year. I say “her” because the name Bloody Mary refers to Mary Tudor, a particularly bloody queen, (of England in the 1500s) who mercilessly had Protestants executed during her reign. But did you know the origin of the peppery liquored up tomato juice is in Paris, France and it was originally named after a fish? Let me explain.
Picture this: Prohibition. Tired with the feds trying to restrict his alcohol consumption, an American jockey dismantles a New York bar called Harry’s and ships it to Paris. This could be a movie, right? At the same time rich Russian emigres are infiltrating Paris with gallons of vodka and for the first time tinned American tomato juice lands in Europe. An enterprising bartender at Harry’s called Ferdinand Petiot starts experimenting with vodka, tomato juice and spices and comes up with…. A Bucket of Blood. Yeah, well, as I’m sure you can imagine, that name did not catch on… being a bit too graphic, maybe, but the cocktail surely did. Especially when they started serving it at the King Cole Bar in New York City under the less violent name of The Red Snapper. And the cure of cures for hangovers world over was born. And possibly the most sophisticated breakfast beverage ever created.
They still serve “the original Bloody Mary” at the King Cole Bar in NYC (in the St. Regis Hotel.) Here’s the recipe:
Images: Pinterest, Kate Spade NY tumblr.