Come Sip the Original Bloody Mary at the St. Regis New York’s King Cole Bar: The Perfect Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Clearly I’m on a Halloween kick with my last post about the best places to celebrate Halloween in New York City. During my research, it of course occurred to me that what better way to celebrate than with a Bloody Mary. Then I learned that the original Bloody Mary was actually created at the St. Regis New York’s Cole Bar–and they gave me the recipe to share with my favorite people in the world–my readers!

The King Cole Bar at the St. Regis New York has delighted patrons for decades and as I said saw the birth of the Bloody Mary.  The classic (and essential brunch) cocktail has been a part of St. Regis history since 1934 when bartender Fernand Petiot perfected the recipe, which has since become the signature cocktail of the King Cole Bar.

St. Regis New York - King Cole Bar and Restaurant

St. Regis New York – King Cole Bar and Restaurant

The famed cocktail was created when Serge Obolensky, a well-known man about town whose penchant for vodka was in keeping with his aristocratic Russian background, asked Petiot to make the vodka cocktail he had in Paris.  The formula was spiced up with salt, pepper, lemon and Worcestershire Sauce, but since “Bloody Mary” was deemed too vulgar for the hotel’s elegant King Cole Bar, it was rechristened the “Red Snapper.”   While the name may not have caught on, the spicy drink most certainly did and has been imitated and adapted endlessly by others throughout the years.

The original recipe is still served in the King Cole Bar today where it recently celebrated its 80th Anniversary and remains one of the most beloved (and bloody) cocktails ever created.

St. Regis New York King Cole Bar

And here’s the recipe! I can’t wait to serve it at my next brunch! So happy early Halloween! Enjoy the spooktacular holiday with the best Bloody Mary recipe ever! And don’t forget to check out my top picks for celebrating Halloween in New York 2015!

Ingredients:

1 oz. Belvedere vodka

2 oz. Tomato juice

1 dash lemon juice

2 dashes celery salt

2 dashes black pepper

2 dashes cayenne pepper

3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice cubes. Pour into a highball glass and garnish with a lemon wedge.

For another of my favorite high-end New York brunches, check out the Four Season’s Hangover Brunch!

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