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Bloody Mary, Swank Cocktail #18

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Bloody Mary cocktail.
Bloody Mary cocktail

Bloody Mary is cocktail number 18 on the Swank Cocktail Guide.

Bloody Mary cocktail history

Creation of the Bloody Mary is attributed to at least three individuals – Fernand Petiot at the New York Bar in Paris (later known as Harry’s New York Bar), Comedian George Jessel, and Henry “Yes Sir” Zbikiewicz, a bartender the “21 Club”in New York.

Maybe they all came up with a vodka and tomato juice concoction with various additional additives? A 1956 article says Petiot invented the drink, but Jessel named it…

“Talk Around Town, Newest Hangover Cure, the b blood Mary,” newspaper article, The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania), 25 Nov 1939, p. 10, col. 3.
“Talk Around Town, Newest Hangover Cure, the BloodyMary,” newspaper article, The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania), 25 Nov 1939, p. 10, col. 3.
"Vodka Revolution in America,” newspaper article, Alabama Tribune (Montgomery, Alabama), 30 Nov 1956, p. 2, col. 8.
“Vodka Revolution in America,” newspaper article, Alabama Tribune (Montgomery, Alabama), 30 Nov 1956, p. 2, col. 8.

Fernand Petiot’s family held true to his claim to the very end, with the cocktail featured in his 1975 obituary.

“Fernand Petiot, 74, Cocktail Inventor,” obituary, The Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio), 7 Jan 1975, p. D5, col. 1.

Bloody Mary cocktail recipe

Bloody Mary cocktail recipe
Bloody Mary cocktail recipe

1 jigger Vodka or Gin, 2 jiggers Tomato juice, 1/3 jigger Lemon juice, 1 dash W’cester Sauce, salt, pepper, shake well with ice and strain.

Ingredients used:

  • Tito’s Vodka
  • Campbell’s Tomato Juice
  • Lea and Perrins Worcester Sauce
  • Fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Bloody Mary cocktail review

Our ratings (1-5 🍸) Rating scale

Greg: 🍸🍸🍸
Kim: 🍸🍸🍸

We’ve consumed hundreds of Bloody Marys ranging from fabulous to dreadful (Hillstone’s/Houston’s may be the worst). This recipe was so mild that it left us both reaching for the Tabasco sauce and a bit more Worcester. Maybe an okay base, but it needs a bit of livening up.

Next up… Cocktail #19, Blue Devil

Swank Cocktail Guide: 80 cocktails in 80 days

Press and guest articles

1890 New Bedford Photo Album featured in South Coast Today | Standard-Times
MyHeritage Guest Article by Kimberli Faulkner Hull
MyHeritage Guest Article by Kimberli Faulkner Hull

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