Sipping on History

When thinking of iconic Canadian foods and drinks, you have to bring up the Caesar. As a certified lover of all things savoury, this cousin of the Bloody Mary is a favourite of Kinnon’s, and is always a must during the summer. The Canadian classic was invented in Calgary by Walter Chell. In 1969, Chell was coming up with a cocktail recipe to celebrate the Calgary Inn’s new Italian restaurant. Inspired by the flavour profile of spaghetti alle vongole, Chell’s original recipe included vodka, tomato juice, clam nectar (created by mashing clams), celery salt and Worcestershire sauce.

Nowadays, ingredients like Tabasco, lime juice, and pickle juice are common additions. Another common customization is to swap out the base spirit. Some possibilities include:

• Vodka: The default base for a Caesar. It provides a clean base for this savoury gem.
• Gin: The herbaceous and citrusy flavour profile of gin pairs well with tomatoes. This is a very common substitution for vodka.
• Tequila: A less popular, but equally tasty option. Tequila enhances the spicy flavour of a Caesar.

And it wouldn’t be a Caesar without the garnish. The classic garnish for a Caesar is a spiced rim and a stalk of celery; however, it is very common to include other garnishes on a Caesar. For some people, a Caesar is merely a vessel for heaps of savoury snacks, while others prefer a little more restraint, and only add one or two garnishes. Some ofour favourite garnishes include:

• Dill pickles
• Salami
• Pickled onions
• Lime wedges
• Pepperoni
• Olives
• Pickled garlic
• Pepperoncini
• Pickled beans

Looking for a fun twist on the Caesar? Try our Kimchi Tequila Caesar!

From humble beginnings, the Caesar is now one of the most popular cocktails in Canada and will always have a spot in our Cocktail Hall of Fame. Cheers!

How to Make It

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