Probably, all of us had ‘Bloody Mary’ sometime or the other. While this is truly a morning drink, its not very uncommon to see people enjoying their bloody mary in evenings or nights. The cocktail is very simple, vodka and tomato juice but try mixing these two at home and it just wont taste as good as you have it in the bar few blocks away. I have even tried putting salt on the brim of glass but to no great effect. So lets find out the secrets behind making this cocktail as good as it can be.
Bloody Mary
History
First some facts or legends behind the history of this cocktail. After researching on internet, what I could conclude was that the initial vodka-tomato drink was created by George Jessel. You can read more about him by clicking here. He was a great actor and a very popular man at gatherings. He would often be called the ‘Toastmaster General’ (which rhymes with Postmaster General) as he would usually end up with being the master of ceremonies. He has a star to his credit in that famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.
While Jessel, created the combo, there was another bartender who really made it into a real cocktail by adding black and cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and lemon juice. This person is called ‘Fernand Petiot’ and was a very famous bartender at ‘King Cole Bar, St. Regis’. So that was simple. The other aspect is on it being called ‘Bloody Mary’. There are many stories and I could not find enough evidence to truly believe any one of them to share with you. But I would give you some details. One links it to ‘Queen Mary 1 of England’. Readers who are familiar with the history of England would be able to relate the ‘Bloody’ part of it. Another story has a relation to one of the boys at King Cole bar. The drink reminded him of a certain Mary at ‘Bucket of Bloody Club’ at Chicago. To me a good reason is the color of the drink. So add the color to the taste which is neither sweet, nor tangy, it gives you that neutral Mary kind of feeling. Anyway, do not get carried away.
Preparation
– 2 oz vodka
– 3 oz Tomoto Juice
– 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
– Black Pepper & Salt
– 3 dashes Worcestershire
– 2 drops tabasco sauce
– Garnish: Lemon Wedge, Celery
– Glassware: Highball Glass
Shake all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a highball glass over crushed ice. Garnish with the lemon wedge.
If you can’t get hold of all the ingredients then at least ensure that after shaking, you strain the drink in a highball glass which is filled with crushed ice. Thats one big thing which must be done. Never just shake/mix and serve in the same glass. The other thing is to ensure that the Vodka which you are using. Better to use a non-flavored Vodka. If you do not have one then skip Lemon wedge.
What else, well nothing much and enjoy your drink.