National Bloody Mary Day
National Bloody Mary Day, observed on January 1st is the perfect excuse to kick the new year with this zesty, delicious cocktail.
This day is dedicated to the savory drink that has been known for its extraordinary combination of flavors and the reputation of it being a potential hangover remedy after the New Year's Eve celebrations.
Whether you enjoy it as a cocktail or just a remedy for its revitalizing after effects, National Bloody Mary Day is all about expressing your gratitude to this miraculous cocktail.
The origins of National Bloody Mary Day, celebrated on January 1st, are somewhat mysterious and full of fascination.
The Origin of The Name
There are a few theories about how the Bloody Mary got its name. Some believe it was inspired by actress Mary Pickford, while others think it was named after a waitress from a Chicago bar called the “Bucket of Blood.” Another idea is that it was named after Queen Mary I of England, who earned the nickname “Bloody Mary” due to her persecution of Protestants. There's also a theory that the name came from a mispronunciation of a drink named after Vladimir Smirnov, from the Smirnoff vodka family.
The Interesting History of Bloody Mary
The history of the cocktail is rich and somewhat debated, surrounding several stories and theories.
One such story is the story of Fernand Petiot, a French bartender who claimed to be the creator of this drink.
According to a story told by Petiot's granddaughter, In 1921, he made this drink at the New York Bar in Paris (later known as Harry's New York Bar). He just mixed tomato juice and vodka and originally named it “Bucket of Blood”.
Harry's Bar was also popular for whipping up other popular cocktails like “White Lady” and the “Side Car”.
Meanwhile, the New York's 21 Club has two stories that conflicts each other about the invention of the drink.
One of them accredits Henry Zbikiewicz, the bartender, for coming up with the drink in the 1930s and another attributing it to comedian George Jessel. He was a regular at the club and a gossip column mentioned that Jessel had a new drink called Bloody Mary which was half vodka and half tomato juice in 1939.
Petiot later talked about perfecting the drink in 1934 at the King Cole Room in New York's St. Regis Hotel. Petiot added spices and seasonings, condiments like Worcestershire sauce, thick tomato juice, lemon juice, and many more items that made the modern Bloody Mary.
He even shared this recipe in a 1964 interview, saying he served hundreds of Bloody Marys a day. Over the years, the drink also appeared under different names. In 1942, it was called a “Red Hammer” in Life magazine, featuring tomato juice, vodka, and lemon juice.
Observing National Bloody Mary Day
Since National Bloody Mary Day falls on New Year's, you can have this as a special treat to celebrate the festivities.
Hosting a Bloody Mary bar is a fun way to gather friends and family, allowing everyone to create their ideal version of this classic cocktail. Set out a variety of ingredients, garnishes, and spirits, and let your guests mix and match to build their perfect drink. It’s a festive and flavorful way to toast to the new year while embracing the tradition of this iconic beverage.
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