This January, we’ve teamed up with Sapling Spirits to help you kick off the New Year the right way – with a classic Bloody Mary! On January 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, you can enjoy a half price Bloody Mary when ordered alongside our Full English or OQS Veggie breakfast dishes.
We’ve always had a soft spot for the Bloody Mary. It’s not only a crowd favourite but also a beloved pick among our team. Its perfect balance of savoury, spicy, and refreshing flavours make it the ultimate brunch companion, especially after a long New Year’s Eve.
But recently, we’ve found ourselves wondering: where exactly does this iconic cocktail come from?
Like any good legend, the story of the Bloody Mary is filled with creativity and a dash of international flair. The most popular tale takes us back to 1920’s Paris, where bartender Fernand Petiot was working at the (now famous) Harry’s New York Bar.
As the story goes, a couple of American expats strolled in, homesick and craving something simple. Petiot mixed equal parts vodka and tomato juice, creating a surprisingly satisfying drink that quickly caught on.
When Petiot eventually crossed the Atlantic to New York’s St. Regis Hotel, he brought his famous cocktail with him – but the American palate demanded something punchier. He spiced things up with Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper, transforming the simple concoction into the complex, flavourful drink we know today.
Ever wondered about the name? Some say it was inspired by Queen Mary I of England, notoriously nicknamed “Bloody Mary” for her brutal reign – adding a macabre, dramatic twist to the cocktail’s backstory.
And yet another tale links the Bloody Mary to ‘The Bucket of Blood Saloon’ in Chicago. According to legend, a patron named Mary would frequent the bar, inspiring bartenders to name the drink after her. The saloon’s gritty reputation and blood red tomato juice may have played a role in its name.
However the Bloody Mary came to be, its legacy lives on as the ultimate hangover cure and brunch companion. Come and raise a glass to tradition while recovering in style. Enjoy a half-price Bloody Mary paired with one of our signature breakfast dishes, and sip on a cocktail with as much character as its storied past – right here in one of London’s most historic settings, Westminster.
Reserve your table and indulge in our chateaubriand for two, available exclusively during Valentine’s Week.
Plus enjoy a complimentary glass of fizz each on arrival!
