Bloody Mary
by Celia Sin-Tien Cheng
February 28, 2007
O’CONNOR’S
39 5th Ave
(Dean & Bergen Sts)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718- 783-9721
$
O’Connor’s has been around since 1933 and it’s managed to keep its authenticity throughout the years from the mousse head mounted on the wall to the old school phone booth. But the biggest charm and draw for me is the bloody mary made by bartender, Charlie Campbell, on Sundays. Charlie’s nearly 80 but he has a true love for the bar and his art. He claims that the key to his bloody mary is the fresh lemon juice. He won’t make it if he’s out of lemons. The secret recipe: fresh lemon juice, celery salt, pepper, Worcester sauce, Red Devil hot sauce, tomato juice and a good work-out — referring to his technique in shaking the tumbler. But I’m sure it wouldn’t taste as good without the true secret ingredient: Charlie’s heart and soul. If you like your bloody mary’s truly spicy, this one’s got a real kick to it!
Also in Drinks, Irish, Park Slope
