A purely Canadian cocktail, you won’t find a caesar outside the Great White North. Originating in Calgary in 1969, using tomato juice, vodka and pressed clams, the caesar was created for the opening of the Italian restaurant, Marco’s. The drink’s popularity spread like wildfire; Mott’s soon developed its clamato juice, which is now used in caesars by over 350 million Canadians. [Image credit:iStock.com/jrwasserman]
The Keg’s 4th Avenue location in Calgary marks the historical spot of the caesar’s inception. And, not long after its creation, The Keg made the caesar a signature drink from coast to coast. Edmonton’s Old Strathcona Keg serves up classic caesars garnished with a lime wedge, celery stick and a spicy bean. Drink yours alongside one of their famous steaks in their hip Whyte Avenue lounge.
Whyte Avenue’s Mexican destination supplies their own twist on the caesar, using Mexico’s favourite spirit, tequila. Enjoy El Cortez’s take on the caesar on their back patio with some terrific tacos: bulgogi steak, cinnamon braised pork, creamy poblano pollo or charred corn and mushroom. Just looking for snacks with your casesars? Try Valentina’s fried cauliflower or Mexican poutine.
Downtown’s The Cask and Barrel presents their own special caesar: The Suzer. The Suzer is a caesar made with Ardbeg 10 year old Scotch instead of vodka, adding a smoky flavour to this classic cocktail. Garnished with pepperoni to highlight the cocktail’s savoury flavour, the Suzer is a crowd pleaser that outsells the traditional version. If Scotch isn’t your deal, try Cask’s original CB Caesar: One ounce of vodka topped with Guinness.
A neighbourhood pub on Edmonton’s 104 Street promenade, Kelly’s Pub serves classic caesars garnished with a pepperoncini, pepperoni, an olive and a lime; giving you a savoury treat with your refreshing drink. Complement that Caesar with a pub classic like spinach and artichoke dip or with their summer special: Kelly’s 104 St. mussels served in a white wine and garlic broth.
A gastro pub in the Ice District, Denizen Hall is for the “everyday and extraordinary Edmontonian.” Between the location’s history, the old school arcade games and the gourmet pub fare, the Deni provides stellar, standard caesars in a unique atmosphere. Each Caesar is lightly and perfectly garnished with spicy green beans, lemon and lime.
In Jasper Avenue’s historic pub, The Hat, the aromatic, zesty caesar also comes with bacon. Yes, you read that correctly; a nice, crispy slice of bacon with a wedge of lime adorns this take on Alberta’s signature cocktail. The Hat also offers a fun caesar and sangria hybrid: The Sangcaesar, made with orange juice, clamato, tequila and lime.
You can get your caesar at Daravara during brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks – at brunch caesars (and mimosas) are only $5. This 124 Street gastro pub makes their caesars spicy: lots of horseradish and accompanied by a spear of pickled asparagus and a lime wedge.
A basement pub on Jasper Avenue, the Underground Tap & Grill is known for their vast and varied draft beer selection, but they also offer an incredibly original caesar: the Campfire Caesar. Likely dubbed campfire for its smoky barrel aged spirits, this take includes rye, Scotch and bourbon. Definitely different, but highly lauded as an amazing caesar.
Edmonton’s premier smokehouse barbecue restaurant, Meat, specializes in bourbon and bourbon cocktails using Buffalo Trace bourbon. Buffalo Trace boasts a rich and complex taste with hints of vanilla, toffee and candied fruit – an impressive accompaniment to clamato and horseradish. The Meat Caesar is sure to please the palate.