Spicy Summer Caesar

The Caesar is a classic Canadian cocktail. Invented in Calgary in the late 1960s, this spicy and refreshing drink with vodka and Clamato (tomato and clam juice) is a summer staple on patios across the Great White North.

Our family's version is always a hit with guests. There's no better way to relish the final days of summer than to enjoy one in the sunshine.

You'll need the following:

Cocktail

• highball glass
• ice
• 1.5 oz shot of vodka
• 12 oz Clamato juice (a mix of tomato juice and clam broth)
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 4 dashes Tabasco sauce
• salt and pepper

Rim

• lime wedge or lime juice
• Celery salt or Caesar rimmer (Caesar rimmer is mostly celery salt with garlic and some other spices)

Garnish

• bamboo skewer
• salami
• cherry or grape tomato
• spicy pickled green bean
• lime wedge (see my instructable on how to cut limes like a bartender)

A traditional Caesar is garnished with a celery stalk, but nobody likes celery. Everyone loves a meat garnish.*

To make a tasty and attractive garnish, we use salami, cherry tomatoes, and pickled beans.

Slice the salami. Remove any inedible casing.

Put the salami on a bamboo skewer. Add a tomato on top.

Finally, slide a spicy pickled bean onto the skewer.

Cut some lime wedges.

If you are throwing a party, be sure to make your garnishes in advance, before your guests arrive.

*Totally not true. Vegetarians generally don't appreciate meat on their drinks. Vegans wouldn't like it either, but they don't drink Caesars due to the clam juice.

Wet the rim of the glass with lime juice.

Dip the rim in celery salt or Caesar rimmer.

Fill the glass with ice.

Add a 1.5 oz shot of vodka, 2 shakes of Worcestershire sauce and 4 shakes Tabasco.

Top up with Clamato and then add a pinch of salt and pepper.

Garnish with your spicy bean skewer and a lime wedge.