What makes the Bloody Mary so popular? Do you think it’s the eclectic mix of tangy and smooth from the tomato and vodka blend? Or is it simply that it is one of the few cocktails you can drink guilt free for breakfast? Whatever your reasoning for choosing a Bloody Mary, we have to say, we’re partial to one every now and again too. Let’s take a look at the Bloody Mary cocktail in more detail and explore some newer twists on the original classic.
The History of the Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary was originally created by a bartender called Fernand Petiot. Working in Harry’s Bar in New York, the young man decided to combine tomato juice, vodka and a bit of spice to see if he could create a drink that tickled the tastebuds of his clientele. No one is sure of the reasoning behind calling it a Bloody Mary, although some suggest it may have something to do with the Tudor Queen of England, Queen Mary. Queen Mary was seen as a dictator during the 1500s and was responsible for thousands of unnecessary deaths. It’s thought that the red blood combined with the spice alludes to her fiery temper and the deaths she was responsible for.
While we still use the same Bloody Mary recipe, many adjust the measurements of the spices to suit their tastes and as such, the Bloody Mary can be as unique as a fingerprint and personalized to suit anyone’s palette.
Bloody Mary Recipes
The Original Bloody Mary Recipe
Ingredients for a pitcher;
- 100 ml vodka
- 500 ml tomato juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- a dash of Worcestershire sauce
- a dash of tabasco sauce
- a pinch of pepper
- a pinch of salt
- ice
To garnish: a celery stick, neatened at both ends.
How to make your Bloody Mary: fill a large jug or pitcher halfway with ice. Pour the vodka and the tomato juice over the ice and stir. Then add the Worcestershire sauce, the tabasco sauce, the salt and the pepper. These are rough measurements, so you can add more or less of one of these if you prefer. Stir again until the jug is cool. Strain the drink into a tall glass and then add the celery stick as a garnish if desired.
The Spicy Bloody Mary
Ingredients for a pitcher;
- 100 ml vodka
- 500 ml tomato juice
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- a dash of tabasco sauce
- a dash of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp horseradish
- 2 tbsp pickling vinegar
- 1 tsp of olive brine.
To garnish, add cooked shrimp, a lemon slice or celery.
How to make your Spicy Bloody Mary: As with the original recipe, start with a jug half full of ice. Add the vodka and tomato juice and stir. Then add the remaining ingredients, while adjusting the quantities to taste. Finally, pour the liquid into a tall glass and use the garnish of your choice.
The Clear Bloody Mary (or The Ghost of Mary)
Ingredients:
- 40 ml vodka
- 200 ml tomato consommé (for the consommé; 4 garlic cloves smashed, ¼ white onion chopped, 6 minced tomatoes, a chopped lemon, thyme and ¾ cup of white vinegar)
- a dash of pepper
- a dash of tabasco
- ice
How to make your Clear Bloody Mary: to start, make the consommé. To do this, you will need to boil all the ingredients of the consommé for 15 minutes and leave them to cool afterwards. Strain the liquid several times to ensure that there is no debris left behind and let it chill. Add some ice to a tall glass, pour over the vodka, then the consommé and stir.
The Bloody Mary will continue to be a classic staple of every bar menu and will forever be seen as a drink for everyone. Why not have a go at experimenting with some of the recipes listed above and see how spicy you like yours?
To expand your portfolio of cocktail recipes, also check out our articles on the Cosmopolitan and the Daiquiri!
Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by Editorial Team
