Caesar (cocktail)

Caesar (cocktail)

The Caesar is a popular cocktail that originated in Canada. It is a variation of the Bloody Mary cocktail, but with a unique twist. The Caesar is typically made with vodka, clamato juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and various seasonings. It is often garnished with a celery stalk and a lime wedge.

History

The Caesar was created in 1969 by bartender Walter Chell at the Owl's Nest Bar in Calgary, Alberta. Chell was tasked with creating a signature drink for the opening of a new Italian restaurant called Marco's. Inspired by the flavors of spaghetti alle vongole, a traditional Italian pasta dish made with clams, Chell combined clamato juice with vodka and other ingredients to create the Caesar.

Ingredients

To make a classic Caesar cocktail, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 4 oz clamato juice
• 3 dashes hot sauce
• 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• Pinch of celery salt
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch of smoked paprika
• Lime wedge, for garnish
• Celery stalk, for garnish

Preparation

To prepare a Caesar cocktail, follow these steps:

1. Rim a glass with celery salt by moistening the rim with a lime wedge and dipping it into a plate of celery salt.
2. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
3. Add vodka, clamato juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to the glass.
4. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
5. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lime wedge.

Variations

There are several variations of the Caesar cocktail that you can try:

• Bloody Caesar: This variation replaces vodka with gin for a different flavor profile.
• Spicy Caesar: Increase the amount of hot sauce and add additional spices like cayenne pepper or chili powder for an extra kick.
• Mexican Caesar: Substitute clamato juice with tomato juice and add a splash of tequila for a Mexican twist.
• Seafood Caesar: Add cooked shrimp, crab, or lobster as a garnish to give the cocktail a seafood twist.

Popularity

The Caesar cocktail is extremely popular in Canada, where it is considered the country's national cocktail. It is commonly enjoyed during brunch or as a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. The Caesar has gained international recognition and is now enjoyed in many other countries as well.