The Bloody Mary is often called ‘the world’s most complex cocktail’ because of the vast number of ingredients it contains, and there are three different claims to who invented it.

The first is a bartender from New York’s 21 Club named Henry Zbikiewicz, who supposedly invented the cocktail in the 1930s. The second, a frequent visitor of the 21 Club, is the comedian George Jessel. But the third comes from Fernand Petiot who claimed to have invented the Bloody Mary before the other two, in 1921, while working at the New York Bar in Paris – later known as Harry’s New York Bar.

Petiot said that he adapted Jessel’s drink from being simply vodka and tomato juice by combining “four large dashes of salt, two dashes of black pepper, two dashes of cayenne pepper, and a layer of Worcestershire sauce”. He then added a dash of lemon juice, ice, vodka and tomato juice before shaking, straining and pouring.

The cocktail’s name is associated with several historical figures – most prominently Queen Mary I of England, who gained the nickname due to the mass executions she carried out while attempting to re-establish Roman Catholicism in England.

Ingredients:
Ice
50ml vodka
½ lemon, juice only
6 dashes Worcestershire sauce
3 dashes Tabasco sauce
150ml tomato juice
Pinch salt and ground black pepper
Celery and wedge of lime to garnish

Method:
1. Place the ice in a tall glass and add the vodka.

2. Add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and tomato juice. Stir well.

3. Season to your taste with salt and pepper, garnish with celery and lime wedge, and serve immediately.

Why not have a Mocktail?
For a non–alcoholic alternative, simply omit the vodka.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY