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This classic Caesar cocktail recipe has a delicious blend of bold flavors! You’ll want to try Canada’s national cocktail and find out why it’s just so tasty.

Make this Classic Mint Julep Recipe next for another fun drink.

a classic Canadian caesar cocktail in a glass with olives and a celery stick

What is a Caesar?

It’s Canada’s answer to the bloody Mary. This zesty and spicy cocktail has a curious mixture of ingredients that together make magic. It tastes pretty close to a bloody Mary, but the Caesar uses Clamato juice instead of tomato juice. Ask any Canadian, and they’ll tell you they prefer the Caesar, hands down.

I think that it’s truly a shame that pretty much nobody outside of Canada has heard of this refreshing savory cocktail. I’m on a mission to change that, and I’m hoping that the Caesar will become popular with our neighbors to the south as well!

Who invented it?

  • The Caesar was invented in Calgary, Alberta in 1969 by one Walter Chell, who was a restaurant manager at a hotel. He was inspired by a seafood pasta called Spaghetti alla Vongole and wanted the same bold flavors in a drink! The history of this beverage is actually pretty fascinating.
  • He originally called his innovation the bloody Caesar, but we just simply call it a Caesar now. You will raise a few eyebrows and give yourself away as an American if you called it a “bloody Caesar” up here!
  • Canadians like it so much that we consume upwards of 350 million of these bad boys per year. It’s actually our national drink. We especially enjoy it as a brunch cocktail and to cure a hangover (spoiler alert: it doesn’t work, but it sure does taste good)

Ingredients for it

  • Ice – to make it crisp and chilled
  • Celery salt – it’s a seasoning we’re using to rim the glass that packs a flavorful punch
  • Clamato juice – we’re using Mott’s. It might sound odd, but it’s a mixture of clam juice and tomato juice. They sometimes use it to make a michelada in Mexico. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!
  • Vodka – I don’t have a brand preference. Use your usual.
  • Worcestershire sauce – to enhance the savory flavor
  • Tabasco sauce – hot sauce gives it a spicy kick
  • Lime – fresh lime juice adds an acidic contrast and freshness. Always use real limes.
  • Garnish – use a celery stick, pickled asparagus spears, jumbo green olives, etc.

Substitutions and variations

  • Vodka is traditional, but if you’ve run out, white rum makes a fun twist, but it will be a little on the sweet side.
  • Gin or tequila are fine substitutes in a Caesar as long as you don’t mind using an alcohol that isn’t as neutral in taste as vodka is.
  • Canadians are super creative with the garnishes. We’ve even been known to serve it with anything from pickled beans to mini burgers to a strip of crispy bacon. Seriously.

What to serve with a Caesar

close-up of Canada\'s classic caesar cocktail with Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, lime, and Tabasco

Will you give Caesars a try? Let me know what you think in the comments below, or tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram!

Canada's caesar cocktail is a delicious blend of vodka, Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, lime, and Tabasco sauce. Like bloody marys? You might want to try this!
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Canadian Caesar Cocktail

This classic Caesar cocktail recipe has a delicious blend of bold flavors! You'll want to try Canada's national cocktail and find out why it's just so tasty.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients 

  • Ice (optional)
  • Celery salt for rimming glass
  • Clamato juice (to top glass up with)
  • 1.5 oz vodka
  • 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce (or to taste)
  • 2 dashes Tabasco sauce (or to taste)
  • 1 wedge of lime

Garnish (optional)

  • 1 celery stick/pickled asparagus/green olives

Instructions 

  • Rim a highball glass with lime and then dip it into the celery salt.
  • Add ice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, and a squeeze of lime (then place lime wedge in glass).
  • Top up with Clamato juice.
  • Garnish with a celery stick, a stem of pickled asparagus, or green olives.
  • Serve immediately.

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Hi! I’m Natasha.

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12 Comments

  1. When I was a bartender, making a Bloody Mary from scratch was always a pain when you were busy. But I was always glad to see everyone was pleased with their drink when they started sipping. This looks like a fun twist on a Bloody Mary though! Beautiful photos 🙂

  2. Although, I woke up hangover over this morning after drinking half a can of hard cider (i’m a light weight) I still want this cocktail. It looks so refreshing!

  3. Wow! That glass is just superb!! I am French Canadian and Caesars are a big thing here. Thank you for honouring them on your site. 🙂

  4. I mean this photo!!!! I want to swim in this drink! I’m obsessed with Bloody Marys and I can’t wait to try this twist. Love!

    1. Thanks Nicole! A local shop had these glasses quite a few years ago. I think they’re really neat, too. They’re all a bit different. My mom helped me buy the collection. Sadly I’ve broken a few pieces 🙁

  5. I make these all of the time. Love them. I pretty much garnish with a whole bunch of snacky things, so it’s like a drink and meal all in one! I use Garden Cocktail in mine, which I really like. Remember that commercial a ways back – when you see one, you want one! Yours looks scrumptious! Is it Thirsty Thursday yet??