The Canadian Clamato Classic
I can't lay claim to the iconic Canadian classic Caesar cocktail but I can share the recipe so you can easily enjoy this deliciousness! The star ingredient is of course Clamato juice which is distinctly Canadian and the main distinction between the American Bloody Mary and the Canadian Caesar. Clamato is much more savoury and flavourful than plain tomato juice so if you are in elsewhere in the world and only have tomato juice, you may try mixing in a few teaspoons of salty clam juice to replicate the flavour.
Seasoning your Caesar is simple with Worcestershire for more depth, tobasco for a spicy kick and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for bright acidity. (I find them salty enough but add a little celery salt to the drink if you want it even saltier.)
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Garnishes For A Caesar Cocktail
And then there is the garnish. Traditionally, a stick of celery was the garnish, then came spicy pickled green beans (I think Caitie's Hot Dilled Beans and pickled vegetables are the best!). Now almost everything savoury and umami has been tried from strips of bacon, shrimp, pickled vegetables and ultimate Caesars garnished with a whole meal on a stick! A Caesar can be a cocktail and an appetizer in one!
Ideas for garnishing your Caesar: Pickled beans, asparagus, garlic scapes or carrots, candied bacon, shrimp skewers, tomato+basil+bocconcini skewers, green olives, pepperoni sticks.
More Flavours To Personalize Your Drink
Flavour alternatives: Black pepper vodka or sake instead of vodka, horseradish, dill pickle juice or basil are fun flavours to try if you want something a little different.
Best Tip For Making The Best Cocktails
I will leave you with this excellent and often overlooked tip for THE BEST cocktails...Ice! A cold drink made as cold as possible with quality ice will give you a stand out cocktail every time. Use big cubes so there is less melted ice in your drink and use lots, even pre chill your glasses if possible. If you really want to impress, boil your water and cool before freezing to make crystal clear ice cubes.
Cheers from Canada! Please share your favourite Caesar garnishes below, I'd love to hear your favourites 🙂
ox Sabrina
PS. For more Canadian recipes, check out my 8 ways to celebrate Canada Day!
Recipe
Perfect Canadian Caesar
Ingredients
- 1 Lime Wedge
- Celery Salt
- Generous Cubed Ice
- 5 oz Clamato Juice
- 1.5 oz Vodka
- 3 dashes each Worcestershire + Tobasco or to taste
- 1 Celery Stick, PIckle Beans or other garnish
Instructions
- Place celery salt in a saucer. Cut slit through middle of lime wedge and slide it around the rim of your tall cocktail glass and then dip it in the celery salt to coat the top edge.
- Fill glass loosely with cubed ice then add Clamato, Vodka, Worcestershire and Tobasco and stir well.
- Add your celery stick or other garnish, sit back and celebrate Canada! Cheers!
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