Prohibition was a dark time in America, as people wavered between thirst and the perils of bathtub gin.
Fortunately, Prohibition ended in December 1933.
Shortly thereafter, the Red Snapper — AKA the Bloody Mary — was born. This famed drink was first served at The St. Regis New York's King Cole Bar in October 1934 by bartender Fernand Petiot.
As the story goes, the barman began tinkering with the recipe while working at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, but didn't fully realize his vision until he stepped behind the new King Cole Bar in 1934. He originally titled the cocktail Bloody Mary, but renamed it Red Snapper to avoid offending the hotel's genteel guests.
The vodka and tomato cocktail quickly took off and became the bar's signature drink. Ninety years later, the King Cole Bar still serves Petiot's original recipe under the Red Snapper name.
To commemorate the drink's 90th birthday, some of New York's most celebrated spots are serving the classic Red Snapper now through the end of October. Participating venues include Caffe Dante, Dante West Village, Delmonico’s, American Bar, Café Chelsea and Perry Street.
While the drink itself is 90, the hotel turned 120 this year and recently unveiled a complete renovation of its public spaces, including the lobby, the King Cole Bar and two new dining locations. Swing by to check it out and to sip a Red Snapper straight from the source. If that's not in the cards, you can make the original drink at home with this recipe.
Red Snapper Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce premium vodka
- 11 ounces signature mix*
- 1 lemon wedge, to garnish
*Signature Mix
- 2 1/2 cans tomato juice
- 3 lemons, juiced
- 5 ounces Worcestershire sauce
- 10 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons ground cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon ground celery salt
Directions:
- Add vodka and signature mix to a shaker with ice, and shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge.
