Red Snapper

The Red Snapper is a Cocktail which consists of Vodka, Tomato Juice and Spices.

The Red Snapper is the original Bloody Mary.

Possible Pre-History of the Red Snapper

"HERE'S HOW AGAIN!" By Judge Jr., The John Day Company, NY, 1929

The Tomato Cocktail

(Non-alcoholic) This very simple concoction is guaranteed to pick you up no matter how low you have fallen.

Take a can of tomato soup and place in ashaker full of ice. Add a few dashes of Worcestershire Sauce and shake well.

"Noble Experiments" (3rd volume in the Hereʼs How Series), By Judge Jr., John Day Company, NY, 1930

The Tomato Juice Cocktail

Strain a can of Delford tomatoes, add salt and shake with 2 or 3 cubes of ice. Worcestershire, tobasco or pepper may be added if desired.

George: Are these non-alcoholic "Tomato Cocktails" possible precursors for the Red Snapper/ Bloody Mary?

"Vintage Cocktails" by Susan Waggoner and Robert Markel (1999)

"The undisputed fact is that a prototype of the (Bloody Mary) was mixed by the famous bartender Fernand "Pete" Petiot at Harry's Bar in Paris, circa 1921, and dubbed a 'Bucket of Blood' by one of the bar's patrons. After Prohibition's repeal, Petiot took a position at the St. Regis Hotel's King Cole Bar in New York, bringing his armamentarium of drinks with him. However, the swank St. Regis feared the Bloody Mary's gruesome name might offend some patrons, so the drink made its stateside debut as the Red Snapper."

Historical Recipes

COCKTAIL AND WINE DIGEST

by Oscar Haimo privately printed, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946

Pg. 83--Red Snapper Cocktail.

• 1 1/2 oz. Tomato Juice
• 3 dashes lime juice
• 1 dash L&P Sauce
• 1 1/2 oz. Vodka

Salt, pepper and red pepper to taste. Shake well. Serve in Delmonico glass

Note(GS): L&P = Lee & Perrins - Worchestershire Sauce

By the 1964 edition, Haimo has increased the tomato juice to 2 1/2 oz. and added a dash of Tabasco to his recipe.

COCKTAIL AND WINE DIGEST

by Oscar Haimo (privately printed) 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953

Pg. 37--Bloody Mary Cocktail. Same as Red Snapper Cocktail. See page 83.

CROSBY GAIGE'S COCKTAIL GUIDE AND LADIES' COMPANION

M Barrows and Company, NY, 1941

Pg. 56--_GASTON LAURYSSEN_

"Mr. Lauryssen, as host at the St. Regis, has made that hotel an exemplar of excellence and subdued but authentic excellence. Pg. 57--Old King Cole presides with pleasantly vacuous hospitality over the bar from which Mr. Lauryssen sends me two recipies from Queen Cole's household book."

Red Snapper

• 2 oz. Tomato Juice
• 2. oz. Vodka
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 pinch Salt
• 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper
• 1 dash Lemon Juice

Shake well with ice and serve in a Delmonico glass.