Jan. 1 is National Bloody Mary Day

Bloody Mary Brunch Basket

A Bloody Mary is a popular cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and usually other spices or flavorings. While there is not much complexity in mixing vodka and tomato juice, more elaborate versions of the drink have become trademarks of the bartenders who make them. A common garnish is a celery stalk when served in a tall glass, often over ice. The Bloody Mary is the US’s most popular alcoholic drink for brunch. This drink has been called “The world’s most complex cocktail.

The Bloody Mary's origin is unclear. Fernand Petiot claimed to have invented the drink in 1921 while working at the New York Bar, which later became Harry's New York Bar, a frequent Paris hangout for Ernest Hemingway and other American expatriates. Another tradition maintains that actor George Jessel created the drink around 1939. In 1939, Lucius Beebe printed in his gossip column "This New York" one of the earliest U.S. references to this drink, along with the original recipe: "George Jessel’s newest pick-me-up which is receiving attention from the town’s paragraphers is called a Bloody Mary: half tomato juice, half vodka."

The name "Bloody Mary" is associated with a number of historical figures—particularly Queen Mary I of England—and fictional women from folklore. Some drink aficionados believe the inspiration for the name was Hollywood star Mary Pickford. Others trace the name to a waitress named Mary who worked at a Chicago bar called the Bucket of Blood.

Bloody Marys by the Shore

Blue Crab Bay STING RAY Spicy Bloody Mary Mixer is a thick and rich blend of clam and tomato juices spiced with Blue Crab Bay's Chesapeake Bay Style Seafood Seasoning and freshly grated horseradish. Sting Ray Bloody Mary Mixer won top honors in Outstanding Beverage, a prestigious award competition at the International Fancy Food Show in New York. Great alone, as a mixer, or a cooking sauce A true combination of the flavors of the Chesapeake region!