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It is the unbiased truth that there is nothing better for a hangover or a wait at the airport than a bloody Mary. Some may disagree, but they simply haven't come into the light yet.

So it was with a great deal of relish (rimshot) that we read about the drink's recent 75th anniversary. According to a press release from the Tri-State Hospitality Association,

The cocktail was originally called the "Red Snapper" because the term bloody was considered harsh for a drink in the 1930s. When Tabasco sauce was added to the drink the name "Bloody Mary" became a household word. In the 1960s it became popular to serve the cocktail with celery due to a guest at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago.

Mysterious, no? We're dying to know what that guest was about. Anyway, if you happen to be in New York City, a whole bunch of bars and restaurants are going to be offering bloody Mary specials tonight. But even if not, go ahead and get yourself one of these tomato-based cocktails just for fun. Personally, we're fans of the job they do at Tremont 647 and Eastern Standard.

New York City to Celebrate 75th Anniversary of the Bloody Mary on Red Monday
Tremont 647 [Official Site]
Eastern Standard [Official Site]

[Photo: Bloody Marys at the Zeitgeist, via Jef Poskanzer]