Caesars - Take off with your Garnish Game

Surf & Turf Caesar

I am a lover of Caesars. I make epic Caesars and my husband and I feel we're becoming caesar snobs. I learned how to make this cocktail when I was 18 years old bartending at a hotel. I mastered the ratios and today friends and family love being able to enjoy a good savory vodka cocktail when they come to visit. Plus who doesn't like the little garnish to nibble on.

Now let's talk about how to make a great Canadian Cocktail. 

1. The Rimmer - There are so many options to choose from. A traditional classic rimmer is celery salt. It's a great pairing to the vodka and Clamato juice. However I have been trying out a number of other ones and there are some great brands to choose from and explore. 

Test out something sweet yet savory or a spicy rimmer. Some of my favorite rimmers I have found are: Rainier Foods Ghost Pepper Smoky Honey, Meat Church Voodoo and Matt & Steve's Classic Rimmer. 

 2. Worcestershire is your ally - Muddy the waters with a few solid dashes of the sauce. It really helps enhance the flavor.

3. Spice it Up - I have experimented so so many chili sauces. My arsenal definitely includes Tabasco's jalapeno (for those milder days) and chipotle when I want a little more.  

4. The Mix - The difference between a Bloody Mary and a Caesar is that the Caesar uses Clamato (clam tomato cocktail) where the Bloody Mary uses tomato juice. Clamato has a great flavor and a thinner viscosity compared the American Bloody Mary. 

5. In the Spirits - A good vokda makes a great Caesar. But as you will see below there are some other fantastic spirits like gin and whiskey that make for some tasty variations on the classic cocktail. But if you aren't drinking alcohol, no problem this makes a great mocktail as well. 

6. All the Garnishes - This is where the fun begins! Whether you are just being simple with a classic celery stick or a full on  surf & turf full course meal on a glass, the savory opportunities are endless. So grab a skewer because I have some ideas to dress up your cocktail:

· Cherry tomatoes

· Crispy Bacon

· Chicken Wings

· Shrimp

· Lemon or lime wedge

· Olives

· Green onions

· Cubed cheese (smoked old cheddar or Monterrey Jack are my faves)

· Genoa Salami 

· Pepperettes or chorizo

· Pickles

· Pickled beans (Matt & Steve's Spicy Beans hands down)

· Or go extreme with a lobster tail and filet mignon, crab leg and chicken finger! 

Be creative and have fun. Dinner and drinks all in one!

Here are 5 unique Caesar combinations to try. 

Bloody Caesar Flight

From left to right:

 “THE CLASSIC” (far right in photo)

Rimmer: celery salt

Spirit: Vodka (Tito’s)

Add ins: Original Clamato-Tabasco-Worcestershire-salt & pepper

"Foster’s Signature”

Rimmer: Matt & Steve’s

Spirits: Vodka (Ketel One)

Add Ins: Green bean Clamato-horseradish-lemon juice-Worcestershire-Tabasco-salt & pepper.

“Whiskey Pickle”

Rimmer: Salt & cracked pepper

Spirits: whiskey (Jameson)

Add ins: Green bean clamato-pickle juice-Tabasco Jalapeño-Lime

"Motts Gin & Cucumber”

Rimmer: Salt

Spirits: Gin

Add ins: ott’s Clamato Pre-made cocktail -Tabasco-Pepper

“Spicy Mango” (far right in photo)

Rimmer: Meat Church Voodoo

Spirit: Vodka

Add Ins: Mott’s Clamato Limited Edition Spicy Mango pre-mixed cocktail

with Tabasco Jalapeño (mild)

Where do you stop with your garnish options?

Please enjoy responsibly and deliciously.