George Jessel’s Hair-of-the-Dog Cure.

George Jessel, the legendary comedian, actor, and raconteur known as “Toastmaster General of the United States,” is often credited with popularizing – if not outright inventing – the Bloody Mary cocktail. In the 1920s, Jessel was a fixture of the New York nightlife scene, and according to his own account, he first mixed vodka with tomato juice at the 21 Club to soothe a hangover after a long night out.

The simple concoction quickly caught on with his fellow revelers, who found it both bracing and restorative. Jessel’s celebrity status and social circle gave the drink instant cachet, and it became a favorite of early-morning crowds seeking a hair-of-the-dog cure.

Jessel’s association with the Bloody Mary cemented its place in cocktail culture, though the recipe evolved over time into the spicy, savory drink we know today. Bartender Fernand “Pete” Petiot of Harry’s New York Bar in Paris is said to have refined Jessel’s original with Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, black pepper, and a dash of spice, giving the Bloody Mary its signature complexity. Together, Jessel’s inspiration and Petiot’s bartending finesse transformed a humble mix of vodka and tomato juice into an iconic brunch staple, best served in a tall, robust, handsomely-designed highball glass.

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