One Drink, Five Ways: Bloody Mary

King Cole Bar Lounge | Red Snapper

This year marks the 75th anniversary of bartender Fernand Petiot’s decision to doctor tomato juice and vodka with black and cayenne peppers, lemon juice and Worcestershire, creating the Red Snapper—and a legend. Since then, the snapper has become the signature at the regal St. Regis Hotel’s King Cole Bar, a woodsy and well-heeled hangout. The genteel, leather-chaired bar is defined by its recently spiffed up Old King Cole mural, painter Maxfield Parrish’s 1906 masterpiece depicting a king, umm, passing gas. The Snapper eschews flashy gimmicks, garnish and horseradish for solid, classic preparation (and 2-plus ounces of Frïs vodka), served in goblet wearing a lemon wedge on the rim. ($18)

Verdict: 4 stars (out of 5). The Snapper packs a welcome boozy jolt, along with restrained—but very much present—fiery heat. Drinking two would do some real damage.

King Cole Bar Lounge at the St. Regis Hotel (2 E. 55th St. between Fifth and Madison Aves., 212-753-4500)