National Bloody Mary Day falls on January 1, which is convenient for everyone who may have partied a little too much the night before. Ring in the year by celebrating with the famous cocktail that consists of vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire, cayenne, and salt. We’ll note that while it can alleviate hangover symptoms, it can further dehydrate you, so drink responsibly. Still, Bloody Marys are the No. 1 brunch cocktail in the U.S. Take that, mimosas.
National Bloody Mary Day timeline
- September 2018
The largest Bloody Mary was made
The Ontario Plowmen’s Association in Canada made the largest Bloody Mary cocktail, coming in at about 155 gallons. Celebrity chef Bob Blumer presided over the event.
- 1960s
The Bloody Mary gained a celery stick
The idea of adding a celery stick to garnish a Bloody Mary originated at Chicago’s Ambassador East Hotel by accident. A customer didn't receive a straw, so he wound up with a celery stick to mix. Boom.
- 1921
Bartender Fernand Petiot created the Bloody Mary
While working at Harry's New York Bar in Paris, Petiot mixed the tomato concoction. It wasn't alway called a Bloody Mary. Original names of the drink included Red Snapper and Bucket of Blood!
4 Possible Women Behind The Name Bloody Mary
Queen Mary I of England
The first Queen Mary was nicknamed Bloody Mary because of the way she tried to bring back the Catholic church to England — by executing Protestants.
Film star Mary Pickford
A Canadian-born actress and filmmaker during the age of silent pictures, she was known as "America's Sweetheart."
A waitress named Mary
She supposedly worked at the Bucket of Blood bar in Chicago.
A customer's girlfriend named Mary
Some say the name came about when a bar patron said the cocktail looked like his girlfriend Mary — whom he met at the Bucket of Blood cabaret.
National Bloody Mary Day Activities
Brunch it out with some Bloody Marys
You might need some sustenance, which means making it to brunch. If there's a restaurant near you, make sure they have Bloody Marys.
Invite friends over to make some with you
Get the basic ingredients, plus some goodies like bacon and olives to garnish. Then let your friends create their own unique Bloody Marys. If you were out all night, it might be nice to stay in and drink the cocktail with friends from the comfort of your own home. Sounds like a great way to start off the new year!
Create a Bloody Mary bucket list
Find the best Bloody Marys in your city and rank them. This way, you'll have a set list for visiting guests and your local foodie squad. Make sure you plan accordingly (for example, have a designated driver), and don't try them all in one day.
Why We Love National Bloody Mary Day
We get to toast new beginnings at the beginning of the day
Most of us don't wake up ready to drink, but this savory cocktail gives us permission. It's acceptable to have a Bloody Mary at brunch, and that's something to celebrate.
It's a cocktail and a possible hangover cure
While it can dehydrate you further, a Bloody Mary is thought to cure hangovers due to its combination of a heavy vegetable base, salt, and alcohol. This combination together can help settle the stomach, replenish electrolytes, and relieve body aches.
Bloody Marys have potential health benefits
Even if you're not trying to power through a hangover, Bloody Marys are actually a great source of antioxidants, thanks to the tomatoes.
Also on Wed Jan 1, 2025...
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