“You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning!” -Unknown
The Bloody Mary drink is one of the most iconic traditional cocktails in the libation world. Like that other famous iconic drink, the martini, it has several variations that bartenders have developed over the years.
The Bloody Mary history tells us that this tomato, vodka, and spices drink got its start in Paris at Harry’s New York Bar by bartender Fernand Petiot. Petiot, who eventually made his way to New York, continued making the tomato juice cocktail at the St. Regis Hotel. Of course, others claim they created the drink first, but I think we will all agree it’s a classic drink consumed by many.
The St. Regis holds strong to their claim and had Petiot market the drink under the name the Red Snapper, claiming Americans might not drink a cocktail with the name “bloody” in it. Today, the King Cole Bar in the St. Regis in New York, features the drink and its history associated with the hotel.
The hotel also features local varieties at the other hotels featuring the drink. In Houston, Texas at the St. Regis you can order the Harry’s Texas Bloody Mary with tequila and okra & jalapeño garnish. In Shanghai, China you can order the Mary Jing made with dried fig-infused vodka, honey, yellow tomatoes, and a flowering osmanthus that is a scent common in the city during autumn.
It has traditionally been associated with being a hangover cure and has been consumed at breakfast and brunches. However, you enjoy it, traditional or exotic, remember you are enjoying one of the most popular cocktails ever invented.