The history of the Bloody Mary is a bit fuzzy (a lot like our memories when we shuffle to the bar and order a couple). One story recounts that Fernand Petiot of Harry's New York Bar in Paris, France came up with the drink in 1921.

Another story says that it was invented by actor George Jessell in 1939--and in fact there is an article in a New York gossip mag that tells of his latest concoction: half vodka and half tomato juice.

What's interesting is that Fernand Petiot all but admitted that Jessell came up with the base, but that Petiot then added salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper. This is probably what happened, because Petiot moved back to New York to bartend in 1925, and would have been working at the St. Regis Hotel at that time (which would have been frequented by celebrities).

The French 75 was invented in France at the famous New York Bar in Paris in 1915. At that time Europe and especially France was knee deep in the horrors of World War I, and that was foremost on just about everyone's mind.

The barman (and later owner) of the New York Bar, Harry MacElhone came up with the drink that someone remarked, "kicked like a 75mm howitzer."

Obviously the name stuck.

It made its way to America and became a very popular drink during prohibition, probably because of its base, gin, which was cheap and popular in the speakeasies of the time.