The Great Canadian Cocktail: The Bloody Caesar

What better way to celebrate Canada Day than by making our national cocktail: the Bloody Caesar.

Made with tomato juice and vodka, this perennial brunch favourite is a quick and simple recipe to follow and perfect for any time of day!

Bloody Caesars are sometimes mistaken for a Bloody Mary, which are made with your average grocery store tomato juice. Bloody Caesars, on the other hand, are served using Canada’s favourite, Mott’s Clamato tomato juice, or a blend of tomato juice and clam broth. It was invented by Walter Chellin in Calgary, in 1969. Apparently he was inspired by Spaghetti alle Vongole, spaghetti with tomato sauce and clams.

Bloody Caesar

The greatest hangover cure!

Ingredients:

(Serves 1)

• 2 fluid ounces of vodka (about 2 shots, or whatever two shots look like for you – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pMAmDthzDs)
• ½ cup or 4 liquid ounces Mott’s Clamato tomato juice
• 3 dashes of Tabasco sauce
• 3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• A pinch of smoked paprika or freshly grated horseradish (use sparingly)
• 3 tablespoons of celery salt (to rim the glass)
• Salt and pepper for taste

Garnishes (Optional):

• 1 celery stalk
• 1 lime wedge
• Green olives
• Pickles
• Pepperoni stick
• Chopped parsley

Method:

1. Rim the glass with 1 lime wedge. Then, in a bowl or plate, rim the glass with celery salt, or a combination of your favourite rim salt spices (such as garlic powder, coarse salt, or cayenne pepper).
2. In the same glass, fill with ice and pour in a couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce.
3. Pour in vodka and tomato juice.
4. Add a pinch of smoked paprika or horseradish.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Customize with your favourite garnishes.

Pro-tip: Add a squeeze of lemon for some brightness and acidity.

I also like to shave freshly grated horseradish which gives this cocktail an extra kick and makes our Bloody Caesar’s even more legendary!

The great thing about this recipe is that most of the ingredients are already found at home, that is, if you like the occasional vodka mixer. Personally, I would try to add as many pickled garnishes as you can, so that the cocktail is more substantial. Feel free to add whatever you like, from a strip of Canadian bacon to a Turkey club! This is a drink to celebrate!

Enjoy a Bloody Caesar this Canada Day. Cheers!