When designing a cocktail for the red and white food delight backyard menu for Canada Day, Caesar's immediately came to my mind! I think it is the most classic of Canadian cocktails. Caesar's were created in Calgary in the late 1960's to celebrate a restaurant opening. The restaurant, being Italian, wanted to highlight Italian flavours and seasoning, hence tomato juice, a classic Italian ingredient, was used as the base for the Caesar cocktail.
Now, perhaps you might have heard of the Caesar's cocktail cousin, the Bloody Mary? Essentially the two are the same drink with one major difference. The Bloody Mary, most often found in the USA, is made with tomato juice, while the Canadian version, the Caesar, is made with clamato juice, a clam flavoured tomato juice. The Caesar, with the clamato has so much more depth, as the clam flavouring is so subtle. For me, it's the only way to go!
The thing about Caesar's is that while the mixers tend to be the same, everyone can design their own garnish, seasonings and accompaniments. Have you ever seen those Instagram pictures of Caesar's with burgers on top? They're a full meal in a glass! Well, my recipe doesn't go quite that far, but when I serve Caesar's for a crowd I do like to give guests a choice to a build-your-own garnish. I like to place all sorts of different seasonings and ingredients into little ramekins and have plenty of different sized cocktail picks available, for a build-your-own garnish Caesar bar.
Some sample garnish ideas for your drink station:
olives
lime wedges
celery ribs (the inside of the celery stalk is the best flavour, keep the leaves attached)
pickled green beans
small carrots sliced in half (leave some green tops on)
cocktail onions
pickled hot peppers
cooked bacon slices
cooked shrimp
pepperoni stick pieces
bocconcini balls
herb branches such as thyme or parsley
Anyway you make them, the Caesar is a great cocktail choice for any backyard picnic or barbecue.
Enjoy and Happy Canada Day!
Krista
The Classic Caesar
Ingredients
2 oz vodka
1/2 oz lime juice (+ wedges for rimming and serving)
3-4 dashes worcestershire sauce
5 dashes hot sauce (I like Frank's Hot Sauce)
4 oz Clamato Juice (I like a spicy version when available)
*Amola Caesar infused salt and seasoning rimmer (see note below) + 1 tablespoon cracked pepper
Method
Pour Caesar salt rimmer and cracked pepper onto a small plate, mix together. Rub a cut lime wedge around the rim of a tall Collins glass. Roll glass rim into the salt + pepper mixture. Add vodka, lime juice, worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and clamato juice to glass. Stir to combine and add ice. Garnish with options listed above.
Recipe Notes:
*If you don't have a pre-mixed Caesar rimming salt, such as the one I used from local Canadian company Amola, it is very easy to make your own. Mix 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of pepper, 1 tablespoon of celery salt and a pinch of cayenne powder (optional, but adds a pretty colour and kick!).
*Horseradish from a jar can be added for an additional flavour bomb. Start with one teaspoon and add to taste.
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