The Caesar co*cktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 60 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

The Caesar co*cktail, Canada's brunch (or anytime) drink is similar to a Bloody Mary, with a few key changes. Once you try one, you'll never go back. 158 calories and 7 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
The Caesar co*cktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary Recipe (1)

Although the Caesar (the co*cktail, not the salad) is a drink reminiscent of my wayward twenties and several queasy morning-afters, I still have a very soft spot for this tomato-based co*cktail. Okay, I wasn't actually that wayward, though perhaps my story about the Kamikaze shots had you thinking otherwise. At the end of a long dinner shift at the restaurant where I worked during some of my university years, the staff would line up at the bar with the vodka, Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce to make some stiff co*cktails. Who said these babies need to be relegated to brunch on Sundays?

If you've never heard of a Caesar that doesn’t involve romaine lettuce and creamy dressing, you're not alone. It likely means that you are neither a Canadian nor a regular visitor to my maple-leafed homeland. In fact, you are probably thinking that the drink in the picture looks suspiciously like a Bloody Mary. However, there are several distinct differences, starting with the Clamato juice. This juice, as the name suggests, is a mixture of tomato juice and clam broth and is found on the shelves of most supermarkets in the United States. I know the flavor combination sounds questionable, but you really can't taste the clams. At least I can't. In fact, I prefer it over tomato juice because it is not as thick and makes the co*cktail go down more smoothly than a Bloody Mary.

The Caesar co*cktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary Recipe (2)

The Clamato juice is mixed with vodka, kicked up with Worcestershire and Tabasco sauce (I like mine spicy) and served in a glass rimmed with celery salt. Traditionally, it is served with a rib of celery, but I also toss in a couple of pimento-stuffed olives. The big ones. I always save them to the end because, after marinating in the co*cktail, they become little drunken orbs of joy.

So, who the heck thought of this crazy drink combination? As the story goes, the Caesar was invented in 1969 by Walter Chell, who was given the task of coming up with a signature drink for a new Italian restaurant opening in Calgary. Chell found inspiration in the classic Italian dish, Spaghetti alle Vongole (Spaghetti with Clams). The Caesar became an instant sensation and continues to be so popular that, in 2009, a petition was started to make the Caesar into Canada's national drink. Move over Molson...here comes the Clamato.

If a petition isn't enough to convince you, then perhaps this purported statistic will: Over 350 million Caesars are consumed each year in Canada. There are only 34 million people living in Canada. So, either we're filling up the mountain water holes with Caesars (which might explain some of those drunken moose stories) or we think these co*cktails are pretty darn tasty. So, get out there and pick up some Clamato juice and I'll raise my Caesar-filled glass to you. Eh?

The recipe:
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 of the glass into the celery salt. Repeat with remaining 3 glasses.

The Caesar co*cktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary Recipe (3)

Fill each glass with ice cubes. Divide the vodka equally between the 4 glasses. Pour Clamato juice into each glass.

The Caesar co*cktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary Recipe (4)

Season each Caesar with several dashes of Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces, to desired spiciness. Stir each co*cktail with a stir stick. Garnish with celery sticks, olives and remaining lime wedges. Serve.

The Caesar co*cktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary Recipe (5)

More of my favorite co*cktails:
Cookin' Canuck's Kamikaze co*cktail or Shot
Cookin' Canuck's
Creative Culinary's Grapefruit, Lime & Maraschino Martini
Family Style Food's Italian Greyhound with Rosemary Sugar
Inspired Taste's Pear & Cranberry co*cktail

Printable Recipe

The Caesar co*cktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary Recipe (6)

The Caesar co*cktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary

The Caesar co*cktail is Canada's version of the Bloody Mary and it is so flavorful and easy to make. Perfect for brunch! 158 calories and 7 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Beverages

Cuisine: Canadian

Keyword: Bloody Mary

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 co*cktails

Calories: 157.6kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 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 of the glass into the celery salt. Repeat with remaining 3 glasses.

  • Fill each glass with ice cubes. Divide the vodka equally between the 4 glasses. Pour Clamato juice into each glass.

  • Season each Caesar with several dashes of Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces, to desired spiciness. Stir each co*cktail with a stir stick.

  • Garnish with celery sticks, olives and remaining lime wedges. Serve.

Video

Notes

*Not included in nutritional information.

Weight Watchers Points: 7 (Freestyle SmartPoints)

Nutrition

Serving: 1co*cktail | Calories: 157.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.3g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 895.9mg | Sugar: 8.2g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

More Beverage Recipes (Tipsy & Non-Tipsy)

  • Blueberry Banana Smoothie
  • Strawberry Smoothie (without yogurt)
  • Cranberry Kamikaze Shots or co*cktail
  • Blackberry Tea Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Scott

    I'm an American & my wife is Canadian. She introduced me to the Caesar in 2007 when we met. It wasn't long after that I gave up bloody marys and I ;loved my bloody marys. Note that in Canada in the grocery stores spices & seasoning section they have Caesar Seasoning.
    This really adds to the drink.
    I took it on myself to master a good caesar for my Canadian wife. We server them with Celery, Spicy Beans, Olives, and sometimes a pepperoncini. Its a staple drink in this house.
    Don't let the "clam" in the clamato scare you. Another interseting variation when you find it is to use Camaranazo which is a tomato & shrimp mixture. This is also very good.

    Reply

  2. Glen Frankland

    I've made several variations on the venerable Caesar and they're all good.
    One ingredient that puts them over the top is an oz or so of kimchi juice.

    Reply

« Older Comments

The Caesar co*cktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a Bloody Mary and a Canadian Caesar drink? ›

They each have a vodka base, but Bloody Marys feature tomato juice, while Caesars make use of clamato, a combination of clam and tomato juice. Also, even though both are popular brunch drinks, the Caesar is really only well-known in Canada.

What is the Canadian take on the Bloody Mary called? ›

of course, Canada is the home of the Caesar co*cktail. the Caesar co*cktail. you're very proud of that, which is? Caesar is kind of like a Bloody Mary, but with clam juice.

What is Bloody Caesar in Canada? ›

The Caesar, also known as the Bloody Caesar, is considered Canada's national co*cktail. The key ingredients are vodka, clam juice, tomato juice, spices and Worcestershire sauce. It is typically served in a highball glass rimmed with celery salt and garnished with a celery stalk, olives and lime.

What is Canada's national co*cktail? ›

It's as Canadian as maple syrup. The Caesar is Canada's national co*cktail. Created in a hotel bar in Calgary in 1969, it's been the only-in-Canada favorite game night, summer patio, and 'hair of the dog' Sunday brunch co*cktail.

What do Canadians call beer and clamato juice? ›

Clamato is also added to beer in various beer co*cktails, such as the michelada; the most basic is known as a "beer 'n clam", "Clam Eye", or "Red Eye" in Western Canada, which adds Clamato to pale lagers.

What is the USA's national drink? ›

Bourbon (whiskey), named for Bourbon County, Kentucky, is a corn whiskey aged in charred oak barrels. It was proclaimed the U.S. National Spirit by an act of Congress in 1964.

What is the most popular co*cktail in Canada? ›

Motts claims that the Caesar is the most popular mixed drink in Canada, estimating that over 350 million Caesars are consumed every year. In the United States, the Caesar is typically available at bars along the Canada–United States border. Elsewhere, bartenders will frequently offer a Bloody Mary in its place.

What country invented the Bloody Mary? ›

The story goes that a young bartender named Fernand “Pete” Petiot invented the Bloody Mary at Harry's New York Bar in Paris in 1921.

What is the Bloody Mary of Canada? ›

So Chell took some vodka, a bit of Worcestershire and a little Tabasco, added a mix of clam and tomato juices and dubbed it the “Bloody Caesar.” It sounds rather odd, but it's the national drink of Canada and has been so practically since Chell invented—or should I say “invented”—it.

What drink is Canada known for? ›

9 Uniquely Canadian Beverages
  • Bloody Caesar. This Canadian drink concoction is made using vodka, Clamato juice, seasoning (usually Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco, but sometimes horseradish) and garnish. ...
  • Coureur des bois, Maple Cream Liqueur. ...
  • Caribou. ...
  • Screech. ...
  • Ice Wine. ...
  • Sussex Golden Ginger Ale. ...
  • Canadian Beer. ...
  • Canadian Whisky.

What drink is similar to a Bloody Mary? ›

The Screwdriver has the same vodka base as a Bloody Mary. However, it uses orange juice instead of tomato juice.

Is a caesar drink healthy? ›

The vitamin B in the clam juice of your Bloody Caesar drink will help maintain good nerve function, too, given how essential it is for the construction of DNA. When you don't get enough B12, you will become increasingly tired and weak. So, consider a good Bloody Caesar recipe a tasty way to stay healthy.

What do Canadians drink for breakfast? ›

For breakfast in Canada, we drink coffee, orange juice and chocolate milk. There is a choice between eating a small breakfast or a big breakfast. We are more likely to eat a big breakfast during the weekend and it has eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, pancakes with maple syrup and toast with butter and jam.

What is Canada's national dish? ›

What is Poutine? Poutine is Canada's national dish, which usually consists of french fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy.

What came first, Caesar or Bloody Mary? ›

The Bloody Caesar was invented after the Bloody Mary. Essentially, it's the Canadian version of the drink. It was created back in 1969 in downtown Calgary. Walter Chell, who was inspired by an Italian dish that used tomato sauce and clams, decided to put his own unique spin on the Bloody Mary.

What is another name for a Bloody Mary drink? ›

The Bloody Mary was invented in the 1920s or 1930s. There are various theories as to the origin of the drink and its name. It has many variants, most notably the red snapper (also called Bloody Margaret), Bloody Maria (made with tequila blanco), and the Virgin Mary.

What's the difference between a Bloody Mary and a Bloody Maria drink? ›

The most obvious difference between a Bloody Maria and a Bloody Mary is the liquor – Bloody Marias are mixed with tequila, while Bloody Marys use vodka. Some recipes stop there, but tequila's rich, savory profile makes it an ideal base to build a delectable drink upon.

What is Caesar vs Bloody Mary vs Michelada? ›

Difference between Michelada vs Caesar vs Bloody Mary

Michelada is made with beer and includes either tomato juice or clam juice or camaronazo. Caesar is made with vodka and clamato. If tomato juice is substituted, you must include clam juice separately. Bloody Mary is also made with vodka but only tomato juice.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ray Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5878

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ray Christiansen

Birthday: 1998-05-04

Address: Apt. 814 34339 Sauer Islands, Hirtheville, GA 02446-8771

Phone: +337636892828

Job: Lead Hospitality Designer

Hobby: Urban exploration, Tai chi, Lockpicking, Fashion, Gunsmithing, Pottery, Geocaching

Introduction: My name is Ray Christiansen, I am a fair, good, cute, gentle, vast, glamorous, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.