00:00Want a behind-the-scenes look at some of the best culinary adventures around the world?
00:04As part of Food & Wine's Global Tastemakers Awards, we explore the best culinary experiences
00:09from cruises, airlines, airports, restaurants, bars, and many more.
00:13Today, we're at the legendary King Cole Bar at St. Regis in New York City.
00:17Let's go check it out!
00:19First opened at this location in 1932, the Midtown Manhattan spot has long been a favorite
00:23among socialites and celebrities for its posh offerings and legendary service.
00:28The hotel recently wrapped a multi-million-dollar renovation that includes updates and upgrades
00:32to the King Cole Bar, including restoration of the iconic mural behind the bar.
00:36It's a New York legend.
00:38It has been a very popular bar in New York culture since 1906 when it first opened.
00:45Of course, it was closed during Prohibition.
00:46As soon as Prohibition ended, it was opened here in the St. Regis, and it's been popular
00:51ever since.
00:52It's also got a very close tie to the Bloody Mary.
00:54Can you tell me about that?
00:56Yes.
00:57The bartender's name was Fernand Petiot.
00:59He was from Paris, and he worked here for 30 years.
01:02The owner of the hotel, Vincent Astor, was quite a drinker.
01:06One day, he said, I need something.
01:08I'm not feeling too well.
01:09He said, I'll make something for you perfect.
01:10You know how the French are.
01:11He concocted a tomato juice cocktail with vodka, and he added Worcestershire sauce,
01:17lemon juice.
01:18At first, it was called the Bloody Mary, but at the time, the hotel had a large English
01:23population.
01:24It's like, oh no, don't say bloody.
01:26They named it the Red Snapper.
01:28What we offer now is a selection from all the various hotels around the world.
01:33For instance, in Texas, it is made half tequila, half vodka.
01:36It has Cajun spice and lime.
01:39In Washington, there is clam juice added to the mix and Old Bay spice, and it's served
01:45with gin.
01:46So those are the variations.
01:47So let's try the New York version.
01:48Now, of course, it starts with a vodka base and classic tomato juice, just plain tomato
01:55juice.
01:56Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, a pinch of white pepper, pinch of black pepper, some
02:01celery salt, and a dash of cayenne.
02:04The drink originally did not have Tabasco or horseradish.
02:07The heat was cayenne, and you give that a toss.
02:11And the drink originally was served just with a lemon wedge, no celery stalk.
02:15That came later.
02:17And that is the original classic Red Snapper.
02:21That's the best.
02:23Yeah.
02:24Very simple.
02:26It's not heavy.
02:27So let's try the Rome version.
02:28The Rome version, we're using Grey Goose vodka, the same base spices, white pepper, black
02:33pepper, celery salt, cayenne, and in Rome, a little bit of oregano, a dash of olive oil.
02:40Shake that up.
02:41To finish it, I'm going to take some fresh basil, and you're just going to twist it once
02:47and drop it into the drink.
02:49And it's also served with just lemon wedge.
02:52And that is the Red Admiral from Rome.
02:56So the Red Admiral, that one definitely has more of a depth to it, and I think the basil
02:59gives it a nice, like, pop.
03:01It does, definitely.
03:02Okay, so we tried the Bloody Mary.
03:03What else is the most popular?
03:05The Manhattan has come back in a major, major way.
03:08Most people don't know the history of the Manhattan.
03:10It was invented for Winston Churchill's mother, and she didn't like the taste of whiskey.
03:15She said it's too harsh.
03:16So the bartender decided to add some sweet vermouth to it to soften it, and it was made
03:22with rye whiskey, not bourbon.
03:24Bourbon has a bold, bold finish.
03:27Rye has a more subtle finish.
03:29It's filtered.
03:30And added to it is some Angostura bitters.
03:33And it's stirred with a classic spoon.
03:37Most people don't know how to use these.
03:38They're spired, and there's a reason for that.
03:41You rub your fingers back and forth, and the spoon is like a propeller inside the ice.
03:48And into the chilled glass.
03:51And finish with some Luxado cherries.
03:54These are the French cherries, and they're fermented in brandy and simple syrup.
03:59And that is the classic Manhattan.
04:03That's wonderful.
04:04Great.
04:05It's a good way to end the day.
04:06So the next time you're in New York, come visit Bill at the King Cole Bar, and if you'd
04:08like to learn more about the other Global Tastemaker winners, head to foodandwine.com.
04:12Cheers.
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