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A Bloody Caesar is a classic Canadian cocktail. It’s similar to a Bloody Mary, but has much more depth of flavor. We make our own homemade Clamato juice (it’s easy!) for the best flavor. Do you want to know how to make the tastiest Caesar drink? We’ll show you how!
For a lighter and more vibrant Caesar, try a Michelada!
We’re BIG fans of Bloody Caesars here. Although they are an absolute must after a night of partying, no brunch is complete without them. It’s the Canadian version of a Bloody Mary, and everyone who’s tried one agrees they’re better. And if you order one at a restaurant, just ask for a Caesar. We like this drink so much that we shortened the name.
But most Caesars, no matter how good they are, are made with Clamato juice. And if you ever read the ingredients list, you’ll probably cringe. While we look the other way when we eat out, making homemade Clamato juice is super easy and only requires 2 ingredients.
To really take brunch to the next level, you also have to learn how to make mimosas!
What makes this damn Caesar recipe the best
- Homemade Clamato juice, which is only 1 ingredient more than using store-bought Clamato, but about 1 million times tastier.
- Pickle juice. The brine your dill pickles are swimming in is like magical Caesar juice.
- Horseradish. No Caesar should be without it.
- Your choice of drink. Vodka is traditional, but we like a Tequila Caesar. Mezcal, gin and bourbon are also tasty.
- It’s just as easy to prepare a pitcher for a group as it is to make one glass for yourself.
- Sugar-free and made with vegetable juice. Let’s just say, this Caesar recipe is healthy. It’s as healthy as a cocktail will ever be.
Why a Bloody Caesar is the Best Bloody Mary Recipe
A Bloody Mary and a Bloody Caesar are pretty much the same thing, with one very important difference… Clamato juice. Clamato is tomato juice mixed with clam juice (and we know that sounds SUPER WEIRD) and it really is the best thing ever. Think about how adding stinky fish sauce to your curry makes the taste better. It’s the same idea.
Don’t believe us? Both Vice Magazine And The thrillerist have written long arguments about why a Bloody Caesar is MUCH BETTER than a Bloody Mary. Still not sure? Try one. You will never go back.
Bloody Caesar Ingredients
Typically, a Bloody Caesar is made with Clamato juice (homemade or store-bought), Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, a squeeze of lime juice, and vodka. It is always served in a glass with a salted rim.
But we often add some extras to make our Caesars even tastier:
- Horseradish (freshly grated or from a jar)
- Fresh dill
- Lots of black pepper
- Pickle juice (from a jar of pickles)
You can also try to experience it homemade V8 juice for a twist on the classic!
How do you make a Caesar drink?
You have two options here. You can make several individual drinks or make a whole jug.
- Some drinks: Place everything except the Clamato in tall glasses with rims and pour the Clamato over it. This is the best option if you want to adjust the spiciness/alcohol/etc.
- Make a large jug: Stir everything together in a large jug and pour into salt-rimmed glasses. This is the best option if you have a large group of friends visiting.
Make it a muddy caesar/dirty caesar
When we’re at a restaurant, we always order a spicy, dirty Caesar. This means that it comes with extra hot sauce (spicy) and extra Worcestershire sauce (nasty). The great thing about a Bloody Caesar is that you can easily customize it to your taste. Just add any ‘extras’ to your glass and pour the Calamato over it.
What alcohol is in a Bloody Caesar?
You have choices, my friends!
- Vodka: traditional
- Tequila: A personal favorite
- Mezcal: Wonderfully smoky
- Gin: Delicious
- Bourbon: Bold and tastiest with a bacon garnish
- Beer: Better known as Michelada
Or skip the alcohol and make a virgin Caesar.
Best Caesar Garnishes
The one thing you need to know about Caesar garnishes is that there are no rights or wrongs here. Everything goes.
Traditionally, Caesars were topped with a celery stalk, but that has now largely disappeared. In restaurants, most Caesars are topped with pickled beans or pickled asparagus, a piece of pepperoni or bacon, olives, and usually a slice of lime. It’s like a mini meal with your drink.
But Caesar garnishes can get wild and crazy. Some of the best we’ve seen are:
- Bacon wrapped shrimp
- Mini hamburgers
- Chicken wings
- Onion rings
- Rotisserie chicken (yes, a whole chicken!)
- Nachos in a taco bowl
- Corn dogs
- Grilled cheese sandwich
Best rim salt for a Caesar cocktail
It is absolutely mandatory that you salt the rim of your Bloody Caesar glass. But you have a number of options with which you can salt it. We always keep this Caesar rimmer at hand. It has a decent flavor and comes in a container shaped specifically for the job. Some other tasty options include:
BEST Bloody Caesar Drink Recipe
A Bloody Caesar is a classic Canadian cocktail. It’s similar to a Bloody Mary, but has much more depth of flavor. We make our own homemade Clamato juice (it’s easy!) for the best flavor. Do you want to know how to make the tastiest Caesar drink? We’ll show you how!
Instructions
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Wet the rim of a 12-ounce glass with a slice of lime, then dip it in rim salt. Fill the glass half full with ice.
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Add your spirit of choice, the clam juice, pickle juice, horseradish, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce and lime juice. Fill the glass with tomato juice.
1-2 ounces of your favorite spirits, 1 tablespoon mussel juice, 1 tablespoon pickle juice, 1 teaspoon EACH: prepared horseradish, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, Juice of ¼ lime, ⅔ cup tomato juice
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Finish with a little black pepper and garnishes of your choice.
Comments
To make Bloody Caesars for a crowd, make a pitcher with:
- 1-2 cups of liquor (depending on whether you want 1 or 2 ounces of alcohol per serving)
- ½ cup each: clam juice and pickle juice
- 3 tablespoons each: horseradish, Tabasco and Worchestershire sauce
- Juice of 2 limes
- 44 ounces (5 ½ cups) tomato juice
You can also leave the alcohol separate and let people add their choice to their glasses.
Power supply
Portion: 1 cocktail, Calories: 112kcal (6%), Carbohydrates: 12G (4%), Egg white: 1G (2%), Fat: 1G (2%), Saturated fat: 1G (6%), Polyunsaturated fat: 1G, Monounsaturated fat: 1G, Sodium: 350mg (15%), Potassium: 436mg (12%), Fiber: 1G (4%), Sugar: 7G (8%), Vitamin A: 736IU (15%), Vitamin C: 35mg (42%), Calcium: 25mg (3%), Iron: 1mg (6%)