The origin of the Bloody Mary cocktail’s name is shrouded in mystery, with various theories circulating. The bloody part is attributed to the tomato juice base, but the Mary remains a topic of debate. Some suggest it refers to Mary I of England, notorious for executing Protestants, while others claim it was named after film actress Mary Pickford or a waitress at The Bucket of Blood bar in Chicago. Adding to the confusion, the drink gained popularity around the same time as the musical “South Pacific,” featuring a character named Bloody Mary. The term Bloody Mary has seen a consistent rise in usage over the past sixty years.
