Bloody Mary, perhaps the cocktail with the most powerful name that can be found on cocktail menus. And, without a doubt, one of the best combinations. Because the salty touch with the spicy point are great. The ideal drink for Brunch. Many are the stories that revolve around this cocktail based on tomato juice and vodka, both about its creation and invention as well as its name .So, if you want to know the reason for this curious and original name, join us to discover its origin. Today we are going to tell you why the Bloody Mary is so called and receives this name.
But before we begin, what is the Bloody Mary?
The Bloody Mary is a cocktail made with tomato juice and vodka, which is accompanied with lemon juice, Tabasco, salt and pepper. The combination of this original salty cocktail, with that spicy touch, makes it the perfect choice for aperitif time. It is also said to be ideal for whetting the appetite. And it also has anti-hangover powers. Be that as it may, it is a perfect savory drink for the most original Brunch and with a great combination of flavors.
But do you know the reason for its curious name? Well, join us to find out why, while you take a sip of the delicious Bloody Mary.
Why the Bloody Mary is so called
Although there are as many versions of its name as there are theories about its origin, we will try to look at some of them and come up with the most feasible theory.
The cocktail was named after a popular client of Fernand Petiot, its creator.
Although it is true that there are several versions about the inventor of the Bloody Mary, everything seems to point to the fact that it was Fernand Petiot who came up with this popular mixture. The waiter worked in a French bistro, which had been opened by a New York businessman. This young businessman emigrated to Paris because of Prohibition in the United States. This happened around the 1920s.
There, Fernand Petiot combined tomato juice and vodka for the first time. Thus creating the original Bloody Mary.
Later, Fernand Petiot emigrated to the United States when the dry law was abolished. There he wanted to try his luck as a waiter. Of course, he took his star drink with him, although this very basic Bloody Mary did not really catch on among New Yorkers, who considered it a rather bland drink. To give it the same form and popularity he achieved in Paris, he decided to add Tabasco, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Thus was born, finally, the authentic Bloody Mary.
One of his regular customers was singer Roy Barton. Roy met a stunning woman at Fernand’s who immediately captivated him. The woman he was in love with had the nickname Bloody Mary. As soon as Barton tasted Petiot’s recipe, it reminded him of her. So he told the young bartender about it and they immediately decided to baptize the new cocktail with this name.
What if its inventor had been the comedian George Jessel?
There is another version, less popular, because it clashes with the most accepted story about the origin of the Bloody Mary, which says that its creator would have been the comedian George Jessel. It seems that there has been a confusion, because Jessel, in the decade of the 40’s, used to go out in his performances with a Bloody Mary.Since he was a real fan of this drink. Therefore, there are those who say that Jessel was really its creator and even those who claim that he himself claims the authorship of this cocktail.
Around this new version about the origins of the Bloody Mary, we find another theory about the reason for its name. Jessel would find himself trying drinks from his minibar in the hotel room where he was staying. Bored of always drinking the same ones, he decided to start combining them to try new drinks. He immediately mixed vodka and tomato juice. Amazed by the result, he wanted to share it with his friend Mary, who was in the next room.
When he gave a glass of the new mixture to his friend, she inadvertently spilled it. To which Jesse exclaimed, “Bloody, Mary!”, which means, “Damn it, Mary!”. Thus, this new drink got its popular name.
It is true that this story, both about the creation of the Bloody Mary and why it received this name, is much more vague and has fewer details than that of Fernand Petiot. In addition, according to the story, it was later, as it would occur 20 years after the real creation of the Bloody Mary.
And finally, the most accepted version: Queen Mary I of England.
And finally we come to the most popular version. Everything points to the fact that the name of this drink is due to Queen Mary I of England. Also known as Mary of Tudor; who reigned between 1553 and 1558. Mary of Tudor was nicknamed Bloody Mary for the bloody repression and persecution she carried out against Anglicans and Protestants to restore Catholicism. This was undoubtedly one of the most terrifying and bloody periods in England. Bloody Mary, meaning Bloody Mary, carried out a terrible bloody battle against many, many people. For this reason, this cocktail was baptized with the nickname of Mary of Tudor. Since its color recalls her bloodthirsty reign.
And you, with which story do you prefer? Have you heard other explanations about the reason for the name of the Bloody Mary? If you want, you can leave them in the comments, or tell us your opinion, ideas?
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