Is it Ceasar or Caesar? Well, either way, it makes for a pretty delicious cocktail! This clam-spiked tomato juice cocktail with a spicy kick is a great accompaniment to your next brunch with the ladies, dinner with the guys, or the cure to that impending hangover. I enjoyed a few of these (maybe a few too many!) with friends and family in Canada but, when I moved to the US, it become a sad realization that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy this cocktail here as much as I would like. The key to a good Ceasar is Clamato juice (a mixture of clam broth and tomato juice) which sets it apart from your standard Bloody Mary which the US is quite fond of. Clamato, on the other hand, is not as popular in the US although I have managed to find it in some specialty grocery stores. It sounds gross, I know, but it’s not as ‘fishy’ tasting as you would think! It goes down smooth and is generally not as thick as a standard tomato juice.
I love this drink, partly because it reminds me of home in Canada, but also because it’s so versatile! You can up the tabasco sauce to make this as little or as spicy as you like, and you can have a ton of fun with the garnish! If celery doesn’t cut it for you, try bacon, pickled beans, shrimp – the possibilities are endless! I’ve even seen Caesars garnished with sliders, donuts, and other crazy creations!
Have fun with this one and serve at your next BBQ with good company!
The Caesar of Canada
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Celery Salt
1 lime, cut into wedges
Ice cubes
1.5 oz. Vodka
8 oz. Clamato juice
3-5 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
3-5 dashes of Tabasco sauce (depending on your spice preference)
Celery stalk, for garnish
Bacon slices, for garnish
Step 1:
Spread the celery salt onto a small plate. Rub the rim of one 12-ounce glass with a lime wedge. Turn the glass upside down and dip the rim into the celery salt.
Step 2:
Fill glass with ice cubes. Pour vodka and Clamato juice into the glass.
Step 3:
Season with Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces, to desired spiciness. Stir.
Step 4:
Garnish with celery stalk, bacon and lime wedges. Cheers!
