1. Bloody Marys
The Bloody Mary actually has two claims to fame — both attached to New York’s 21 club. The first story unfolds around Henry Zbikiewicz, a 1930’s bartender of the 21 club, who claimed to have mixed the first-ever tomato-juice vodka combination. The second story connects its invention with comedian George Jessel, who frequented the club and supposedly ordered the first Bloody Mary.
Either way, the drink did not transform into the Bloody Mary as we know it today until much later, when bartender Ferdinard Petiot refined the drink. He added cayenne pepper, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon, to reform the Bloody Mary into a spicy, savory drink.
Next, check out The Mysterious Origins of the Black and White Cookie and NYC’s Notorious Bagel Famines