National Bloody Mary Day
About National Bloody Mary Day
When is National Bloody Mary Day? This holiday is always observed on January 1
Got a hangover on New Year’s morning? Are you ready to swear off drinking? Hold off a minute on that oath. You’re in good company. Now, all you need is a cure for the aftereffects of too much champagne. That’s exactly why National Bloody Mary Day exists. This January 1 holiday couldn’t occur at a better time. So, if you want to feel better quickly, as the saying goes “take a hair of the dog that bit you.”
This healthy drink cocktail helps to minimize the effects of too much alcohol. Amazingly, an alcoholic drink can remedy a hangover. Researchers will tell you that it only masks the effects of too much alcohol while your body recuperates. Well, I don’t care about the research because I feel better already.
How Did The Bloody Mary Get Its Name?
There are many claims as to how the name came about.
First, tomato juice is a deep red color, somewhat resembling blood. So, it seems reasonable and likely that most people believe the word “Bloody” in the name simply comes from this fact.
Many historians believe the drink was named after a woman in Chicago, Illinois, who worked at the Bucket of Blood saloon in the early 1900s.
In 1921, Fernand Petiot is credited with first creating the drink at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. Originally called Bucket of Blood, Petiot gave it the name “Bloody Mary” in the late 1930s.
Another theory is the drink was named after Queen Mary I of England (1516 – 1558), the only child of King Henry VIII. She was a bloody ruler. Referred to as “Bloody Mary, she executed hundreds of people, primarily Protestants, for heresy. Here’s an interesting note: While the drink possibly bears her name, tomatoes were first introduced to Europe in the 1600s long after her death. Tomatoes are native to South America and were originally considered poisonous.
In the 1920s and 1930s, several others laid claim to creating the drink and giving it its name.
The History of Bloody Mary Drinks
Here is a history of America’s favorite cocktail:
- The first record of tomato juice being made was in 1917. However, it likely existed long before this time.
- In 1921, Fernand “Pete” Petiot concocted the first Bloody Mary while working at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris France.
- The cocktail was not called “Bloody Mary ” until the late 1930s.
- In the 1960s, bars began to add a celery stalk to the drink as a stir stick.
- In 1976, McIlhenny Company added their Tabasco sauce to the ingredients of the recipe.
- In 2018, the Plowman’s Association in Ontario, Canada made the world’s largest Bloody Mary. It was 155 gallons.
The Classic Bloody Mary Recipe
It’s hard to say with certainty the original Classic Bloody Mary recipe. Everyone who posts a “classic” recipe has slightly different recipe ingredients or amounts.
Here is our Classic Bloody Mary Recipe:
- ice cubes
- 8 ounces tomato juice
- 2 ounces vodka
- 3-4 dashes Tabasco Sauce
- 3-4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 pinches celery salt
- 2 pinches ground black pepper
- 2 pinches garlic powder
- 3-4 dashes lime juice
- Lime wedges, celery stalks, and olives for garnish
Variations of Bloody Mary Drinks
Some people call the following drinks variations of the Bloody Mary. Technically, they are different drinks as they use different types of alcohol. Hence, they have different names.
Bloody Caesar – Clam juice is added to the ingredients. Or, Calmato is used. If you like clams, you’ll love this cocktail. The drink originated in Canada in the late 1940s or early 1950s.
Bloody Maria – This drink uses tequila instead of vodka. Often, it is made with more or stronger hot pepper sauce. Sometimes, a Jalapeno is added as a garnish. This strong alcoholic beverage really has a drink a kick.
Red Snapper – Gin is substituted for the vodka in this tasty cocktail. The other ingredients are the same. You can taste the difference as vodka is largely tasteless.
Virgin Mary – There is no alcohol in this cocktail. All of the other ingredients are included. It is a healthy non-alcoholic drink. Kids like it, too.
Ways to Participate in National Bloody Mary Day
Everyone can participate in Natioanl Bloody Mary Day. Even the kids. You can make Virgin Marys for kids and those who do not consume alcohol.
Here are some ways to enjoy this day:
- Drink a Bloody Mary or two.
- Alter the ingredients to create a different variation.
- Share pictures of the cocktail on social media.
- Hold a brunch and serve this cocktail.
- Buy Bloody Mary mix and give it as a gift.
- Dare we suggest you enjoy this cocktail at breakfast, lunch, and dinner today!? Sure we do!!
Bloody Mary Trivia
As you slowly recover from last night’s New Year festivities, sit back and enjoy this Bloody Mary trivia.
- Move over Mimosa. Bloody Marys are America’s favorite cocktail.
- Scientists tell us that Bloody Marys and other alcoholic drinks do not actually cure a hangover. But, they do make us temporarily feel better until the aftereffects wear off.
- The drink should be stirred, not shaken. It does make a difference.
- A “Snit” is three to five ounces of beer consumed after drinking a Bloody Mary.
- Americans consume an average of 1.6 Bloody Marys per year. But, like any statistic, some people drink more, while some never touch it.
- Thanks to the tomatoes, this drink is healthy for you. However, the non-alcoholic Virgin Mary is even healthier.
- Tomatoes are native to South America.
- Tomatoes contain Lycopene. This polyphenol helps to prevent prostate cancer.
- Just about every ingredient in the drink is good for you.
- Some researchers suggest drinking a single Bloody Mary a day can lead to a longer, healthier life.
- Dieticians recommend 5 servings of vegetables per day. Tomato juice is a great start on this goal.
What do you really know about tomatoes? See Tomato Trivia.
Today's Quote
“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad. However, this fruit is great in cocktails.” – – Author Unknown
Thought for the Day: If tomatoes are technically a fruit, is ketchup a smoothie?
History and Origin of National Bloody Mary Day
We traced the creation of this holiday back to 2015. And, we certainly can speculate why this holiday was created. However, our research has not uncovered who the creator is. Perhaps, he or she had a few too many of these cocktails on New Year’s Day and simply forgot to document it.
There is no evidence to suggest that this is truly a “National” day, which requires an act of Congress. and/or a presidential proclamation. We suspect that the government, along with the rest of the general population, was too hungover to address the issue of making this a national day.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is important to distinguish true National days.
Related Holidays
People who like this holiday will also appreciate:
International Hangover Day – The day after International Beer Day in August.
More January 1 Holidays
More About Today
Flower of the Day: Nasturtium
Recipe of the Day: Tomato Bread
Holiday Insights, where every day in January is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. January holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.