(FORTUNE Magazine) – We all have our own ways of dealing with air travel. Some of us read; some of us try to get some work done; some of us stare out the window and wait for the Valium to kick in. But when that beverage cart comes by, an astonishing number of us do something we normally don't do on the ground: Enjoy a can of Bloody Mary mix. No vodka, just mix. Yes, people do drink Virgin Marys on terra firma, but not as often as they do in the air. Mr. and Mrs. "T," the reigning king of Bloody Mary mix (with two-thirds of the retail market), sells roughly half its product to airlines; Campbell's, more than 80%. "I drink Bloody Mary mix on planes but never at home," says frequent flier and perfect example Margaret Feldstein, an editor at a fashion magazine.
Rumor has it that Bloody Mary mix was first offered in the air in the early '60s when an American Airlines exec sampled Mr. and Mrs. "T" and immediately contracted the mix for the entire fleet. American now serves Campbell's, which makes the stuff only because it was persuaded to do so specifically for airlines. According to Lisa Douglas, American's menu-design manager, the airline serves 2.3 million cans of vodka-free Bloody Mary mix a year, which puts it 17.7 million cans behind co*ke. But then, you don't see many global ad campaigns for Bloody Mary mix.
Why so much airborne craving for what is essentially liquefied salad? Steve Albert, an inflight-services manager at TWA, offers a physiological reason: "It's the saltiness and savory flavors," he says. "At altitude, your taste buds are different; your mouth is much drier." It could also be that plain mix tastes similar to a Bloody Mary, but without the coach-class surcharge. Or, if you're like Feldstein, Bloody Mary mix is food. Especially, she says, "when the alternative is reheated congealed beef."
--Tyler Maroney
FAQs
Blame the roar of the engines. Cornell University food scientists say airplane noise, which tends to hover around 85 decibels, can affect travelers' taste buds — suppressing their taste for sweet stuff and boosting the taste of umami-rich foods like tomato juice.
What Bloody Mary mix does American Airlines use? ›
Rumor has it that Bloody Mary mix was first offered in the air in the early '60s when an American Airlines exec sampled Mr. and Mrs. "T" and immediately contracted the mix for the entire fleet. American now serves Campbell's, which makes the stuff only because it was persuaded to do so specifically for airlines.
What is in Mr. and Mrs. T Bloody Mary mix? ›
Ingredients: WATER, CANE SUGAR, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVE), ACACIA GUM, POLYSORBATE 60, ESTER GUM, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, CARAMEL COLOR.
What is a fun fact about the Bloody Mary co*cktail? ›
Some stories suggest that the Bloody Mary was named after a server named Mary who worked at a saloon bar called The Bucket Of Blood in Chicago. Others claim it was named after Queen Mary Tudor of England. No one knows for sure, but as Prohibition waned the drink took off in America and the name stuck.
What does the Bloody Mary drink symbolize? ›
Many believe the Red Snapper was later labeled "Bloody Mary" after Queen Mary Tudor and her bloody reign against Protestants in England in the 1500s. Theorists claim that tomato juice represents the blood shed during this time and the fiery vodka illustrates Queen Mary Tudor's wicked means of executing her enemies.
Why does everyone drink tomato juice on a plane? ›
Tomato juice has a strong flavour that can still be tasted at high altitudes, making it a satisfying beverage choice for passengers. Additionally, tomato juice is a good source of hydration, which is especially important during air travel, as the cabin environment can be dehydrating.
Is Bloody Mary mix bad for you? ›
Bloody Marys are actually healthy co*cktails.
In addition to electrolytes, sodium, potassium, and Vitamin C, tomatoes also contain lycopene, which is high in antioxidants. Lycopene helps to combat the toxins in the liver (like the toxins that you consumed while drinking the night before.)
Who owns Mr and Mrs T Bloody Mary mix? ›
Mr & Mrs T is an American brand of drink mixers owned by Keurig Dr Pepper. (KDP).
How long does Mrs T's Bloody Mary mix last? ›
Shelf Life Sealed: 12 Months. Shelf Life Opened: Refrigerate after opening - fresh for 2-3 weeks. Storage Requirements: Store At 40 - 80 F Temp.
Why is Bloody Mary called Bloody Mary? ›
A devoted Roman Catholic, she attempted to restore Catholicism there, mainly through reasoned persuasion, but her regime's persecution of Protestant dissenters led to hundreds of executions for heresy. As a result, she was given the nickname Bloody Mary.
From France to the United States the bloody mary carried names such as tomato co*cktail, bloody mary, a bucket of blood (thank god it's not called this anymore,) and red snapper.
Where is Bloody Mary buried? ›
Although Mary's will stated that she wished to be buried next to her mother, she was interred in Westminster Abbey on 14 December, in a tomb she eventually shared with Elizabeth.
Why would anyone drink Bloody Mary? ›
In the United States, the Bloody Mary is a common "hair of the dog" drink, reputed to cure hangovers with its combination of a heavy vegetable base (to settle the stomach), salt (to replenish lost electrolytes), and alcohol (to relieve head and body aches).
What is Bloody Mary mix good for? ›
Bloody Marys are actually healthy co*cktails.
In addition to electrolytes, sodium, potassium, and Vitamin C, tomatoes also contain lycopene, which is high in antioxidants. Lycopene helps to combat the toxins in the liver (like the toxins that you consumed while drinking the night before.)
What is the blood alcohol for flying? ›
The number of serious errors committed by pilots dramatically increases at or above concentrations of 0.04% blood alcohol. This is not to say that problems don't occur below this value. Some studies have shown decrements in pilot performance with blood alcohol concentrations as low as the 0.025%.
Is Bloody Mary a recovery drink? ›
A bloody mary is said to “settle the stomach”, contains salt to “replenish lost electrolytes”, and alcohol to relieve head and body aches. And it gained particular notoriety as a drink to have at brunch after a big night out.
