Ahh, the bloody Mary. An exciting name….one that instantly gets you into a partying mood before you even know what – leave alone if – you are celebrating. The Bloody Mary is one of those cocktails that everyone has heard of and even more people have ordered, but, how many of you know how to make it properly?
I know many who, just like me, have stared at a Bloody Mary and thought, “Who looked at a tomato and decided it belonged in a cocktail?” No really, whose idea was it to begin with? Yet against all odds, this savory, spicy, bright red drink has become one of the most beloved cocktails in the world.
Its name is just as mysterious as its ingredients. According to legend, the drink was named after England’s Mary I of England, whose bloody reign earned her the infamous nickname. Another theory suggests it was named after a waitress called Mary who worked at a bar frequented by the drink’s creator. Like many cocktail legends, the true story has been lost somewhere between happy hour and history.
What we do know is that the Bloody Mary was created in the 1920s by Fernand Petiot, a bartender working in Paris. The original version was simply vodka and tomato juice(!) Over time, bartenders began adding spices, sauces and seasonings, transforming it into the flavorful brunch classic we know today.
Ingredients
- 50ml vodka
- 120ml tomato juice
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- 2–3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2–3 dashes hot sauce
- Pinch of celery salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Ice cubes
- Celery stalk and lemon wedge for garnish
How to Make It
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Add the vodka, tomato juice and lemon juice.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt and black pepper.
- Stir gently until everything is well combined.
- Taste and adjust the spice level if needed.
- Garnish with a celery stalk and a lemon wedge.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
The Secret to a Perfect Bloody Mary
Like all cocktails, the trick is balance. The tomato juice should be fresh and flavorful, the lemon juice should add brightness without overpowering the drink and the hot sauce should provide a gentle kick rather than setting your mouth on fire. If you want your Bloody Mary to be perfect (bold and savory) the please balance without overpowering with the spices. .
Regardless of if you’re enjoying one at brunch or simply curious about one of the world’s most unusual cocktails, the Bloody Mary proves that sometimes the strangest combinations make the best drinks.
Cheers to the coming weekend! 🍅🍸
