By Olivia Cuccaro
St. Regis Red Snapper
- 1 oz vodka
- 2 oz tomato juice
- 1 dash lemon juice
- 2 dashes celery salt
- 2 dashes black pepper
- 2 dashes cayenne pepper
- 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
To create our cocktail of the week, combine ingredients over ice and garnish with lemon.
If this recipe seems familiar, that’s no surprise. What we know and love as the “Bloody Mary” is said to have been first introduced in 1934 by Fernand Petiot, bartender to The St. Regis New York. At the request of Russian prince turned American hotel-keeper Serge Obolensky, Petiot recreated a Parisian vodka cocktail and, quite literally, spiced it up. With the Bloody Mary nomenclature too morbid for the crowd sitting beneath the mural of Old King Cole, the “Red Snapper” was deemed an elegant alternative.
More than 80 years later, the King Cole Bar is closing in on its one millionth Red Snapper served. The St. Regis’ signature cocktail is now enjoyed in a sophisticated setting of leopard carpet, wood paneling, round, candlelit tables, sumptuous leather seating and, of course, the famed Parrish painting. New York natives and thirsty visitors alike are invited to take part in the milestone by savoring their own Red Snapper at the historic bar.
“It is a very exciting winter at The St. Regis New York as we near the sale of the King Cole Bar’s millionth Red Snapper, the original Bloody Mary perfected here over 80 years ago,” said Senih Geray, General Manager of The St. Regis New York, in speaking to Elite Traveler. “The Red Snapper recipe has been passed down unchanged by generations of bartenders for decades and still stands as one of the most ordered and beloved cocktails. We are honored to welcome patrons into the King Cole Bar to join us in celebrating this historic milestone.”
Should your trip to New York be delayed until spring, not to worry. For a limited time, St. Regis has bottled the original mix to easily recreate the tangy treat outside Manhattan. Otherwise, we recommend you reserve your place at the King Cole Bar and start counting…
The King Cole Bar at St. Regis New York is located at 2 East 55th Street, New York, NY 10022. For reservations, please call +1 212 339 6857 or visit stregisnewyork.com.