The Caesar recipe is a classic Caesar drink that’s reminiscent of the Bloody Mary recipe, but with some clever twists, most notably in the spices and optional garnishes you can use while making it.
Strong, flavorful, and bold, the Canadian Caesar drink has a taste you don’t want to miss. So follow us along in this post as we show how you can carefully assemble the best Caesar cocktail.
Cocktail Info and Ingredients
Although the “Bloody Caesar” cocktail was invented in 1969 by restaurant manager Walter Chell, it’s now considered a classic Canadian cocktail.
At the time, no one could have anticipated that the Bloody Caesar mix would be so successful, especially since its invention was a task assigned to Chell to signify the opening of a new Italian restaurant in the Calgary Inn.
After its launch, it only took a few years for the Caesar to sweep Calgary’s mixology scene, becoming the most popular cocktail in the area.
Nowadays, the Caesar remains a popular yet very similar alternative to the world-renowned Bloody Mary, but with a spicier twist, thanks to the strong flavor of clam broth, which is added to traditional tomato juice.
There are also many ways to make a Caesar, but we’ll show the most basic recipe here and expand more later.
Ingredients
- 1 lime wedge
- ½-1 teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1½ oz. vodka
- 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco sauce)
- 6 oz. Clamato juice (tomato clam juice)
- 1 celery stick
Possible Ingredient Substitutes
Instead of vodka… You can use gin, rum, tequila, or Jägermeister.
Instead of Worcestershire sauce… You can use balsamic vinegar, fish sauce, or soy sauce.
Instead of hot sauce… You can use sriracha.
Mixing Instructions
Step 1: Rub the lime wedge on the cocktail glass rim to wet it.
Step 2: Place celery salt and black pepper in a small dish, then dip the rim of the glass in it until it’s coated.
Step 3: Add ice cubes to your prepared glass, then pour the vodka, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
Step 4: Top with Clamato juice or until it fills the glass, then stir it gently.
Step 5: Garnish with the lime wedge and celery stalk and serve.
Nutritional Facts
The nutritional facts may vary based on where you got your ingredients, but here’s a close estimate based on the recipe above (per serving):
- Energy: 184 kcal
- Protein: 1.2 g
- Total carbohydrate: 19.6 g
- Total fat: 0.4 g
Alcohol Content
The alcohol content of this drink depends on which vodka you use. But generally, it should be around 10-15% ABV per tall glass, which is around the same as a regular glass of wine.
Tips and Recipe Variations
There’s no shortage of twists and variants on this iconic cocktail. One popular option is the Clam Eye (also called Red Eye and Red Beer), where you substitute the vodka for half a glass of beer.
Other ingredients you can play around with include horseradish, olive brine, and lime juice. You can also play around with dill pickle juice and Montreal steak spice for a feisty mix.
When to Serve
The classic Caesar is often used as a hangover cure, but we also think it’s a brilliant brunch cocktail that goes well with light meals and snacks. But if you’re the type to skip brunch, don’t hesitate to enjoy it after a hearty and spicy dinner meal.
Food Pairing ideas
Here are our top picks for Caesar food pairings:
- Beef burgers
- Shrimp cocktails
- BLT pasta
- Halloumi salad
- Shakshuka
Conclusion
The classic Caesar cocktail is a bold yet refreshing drink that has been enjoyed by generations. Whether savored as a leisurely afternoon drink or served at a special gathering, this iconic Canadian cocktail is always worth a celebratory toast!
