Culture & Lifestyle • Cocktails

Caesar (cocktail)

The Caesar is a Canadian cocktail typically made with vodka, Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a celery salt rim.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Caesar is a Canadian cocktail typically made with vodka, Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a celery salt rim. It is similar to a Bloody Mary but uses Clamato, a blend of tomato juice and clam broth, and is commonly garnished with celery and lime. Created in 1969, it is widely regarded as a Canadian signature cocktail.

History

The Caesar is generally credited to Walter Chell, who created it in 1969 while working at the Calgary Inn in Calgary, Alberta. It was developed as a signature drink for the hotel’s Italian restaurant.

Composition

A Caesar typically combines vodka with Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce, then adds ice and a celery salt rim. Variations may include lemon or lime juice, pepper, pickle juice, or other seasonings.

Comparison with the Bloody Mary

The Caesar is often compared with the Bloody Mary because both are savoury tomato-based cocktails. The key difference is that the Caesar uses Clamato, which contains clam broth, rather than plain tomato juice.

Cultural significance in Canada

The Caesar is widely associated with Canadian drinking culture and is especially popular as a brunch cocktail. It is commonly described as one of Canada’s best-known mixed drinks.

Key facts

The Caesar was created in 1969 by Walter Chell at the Calgary Inn in Calgary, Alberta.
It is widely regarded as a Canadian signature cocktail.
Its defining ingredient is Clamato, which distinguishes it from the Bloody Mary.
The drink is usually served over ice in a tall glass with a celery salt rim.
Popular garnishes include celery, lime, pickled vegetables, and other savory toppings.

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Canadian context

The Caesar is one of Canada’s best-known cocktails and is especially associated with Canadian brunch culture, restaurant menus, and national drink identity.

Frequently asked questions

Who invented the Caesar cocktail?

It is commonly credited to Walter Chell, who created it in 1969 at the Calgary Inn in Calgary, Alberta.

What is in a Caesar?

A typical Caesar contains vodka, Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a celery salt-rimmed glass, often with celery and lime as garnish.

How is a Caesar different from a Bloody Mary?

A Caesar uses Clamato, which includes clam broth, while a Bloody Mary is usually made with plain tomato juice.

Is the Caesar considered a Canadian drink?

Yes. It is widely regarded as a Canadian cocktail and is strongly associated with Canadian food and drink culture.

What is Clamato?

Clamato is a beverage made from tomato juice and clam broth, and it is the key ingredient that gives the Caesar its distinctive flavour.

What are common Caesar garnishes?

Common garnishes include a celery stalk, lime wedge, and sometimes pickles, olives, or other savoury toppings.

References

The Foodie Diary — https://thefoodiediary.com/caesar-cocktail-recipe/
Supports: States the Caesar was invented in 1969 by Walter Chell at the Calgary Inn and describes its main ingredients and Canadian origin.
Girl Heart Food — https://girlheartfood.com/caesar-cocktail/
Supports: Describes the Caesar as a classic Canadian cocktail and lists common ingredients and garnishes.
Cookin' Canuck — https://www.cookincanuck.com/the-caesar-cocktail-aka-the-canadian-bloody-mary-recipe/
Supports: Calls the Caesar a Canadian drink similar to a Bloody Mary and attributes its invention to Walter Chell in 1969.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_(cocktail)
Supports: Summarizes the cocktail’s ingredients, origin, and distinction from the Bloody Mary; useful for cross-checking basic facts.