People are often amazed to find that the Bloody Mary
cocktail – so popular at New Orleans brunches,
lunches, teas, dinners, midnight
snacks, parades, kindergarten graduations and funeral services – was not developed here and is not a New Orleans drink. The origins of the Bloody Mary can be traced
to a Parisian bartender (and notorious name dropper) by the name of Fernand Petiot. He made many claims to have originated the drink, however in the two stories between which he most often vacillated famous names, such as Ernest Hemingway and the “Toastmaster General” George Jessel, found their way into the mix.
 |
| Fernand Petiot |
 |
| George Jessel |
In one version of
his story, Petiot claimed to have created the drink in the Roaring 20’s at
Harry’s New York Bar in Paris
where Ernest Hemingway hung out. A
couple of customers from Chicago
said the drink reminded them of a waitress back home named Bloody Mary and
the drink was so christened. Later, his story
changed when he brought George Jessel into the picture. In 1925 Petiot moved to the United States and he served libations at the King Cole Bar in the St.
Regis Hotel
from 1934 to 1966. In 1964 he told The
New Yorker “I initiated the Bloody Mary of today…George Jessel said he
created it, but it was really nothing but vodka and tomato juice when I took it
over.” In this version, Jessel’s drink
was nothing more than equal parts tomato juice and vodka. Petiot claimed to have taken it further by adding
salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. According to Petiot, “We serve a hundred to a
hundred and fifty Bloody Marys a day here in the King Cole Room and in the other restaurants and
the banquet rooms.”
Whether the drink was created in Paris
or New York, it made its way to New Orleans where it
slipped right in with its jazzy Creole sass and, certainly, oysters manage to
slip down very easily when chased with a Bloody Mary. Here is my favorite recipe for the mix; it
comes from Emeril Lagasse and, while you will notice it contains no cayenne or Tabasco sauce, the
Worcestershire sauce gives it just the right kick.
BLOODY MARY MIX
1 lg can tomato juice*
1 cup beef bouillon
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp celery seed
1 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. lime juice
5 oz. Worcestershire sauce
Mix well; chill. Makes
32 oz. (Double the recipe for a gallon.) Best when made a day or two in
advance. For cocktail, mix 4 parts mix
to 1 part vodka.
