Last week, while I was away on business in Toronto, a friend I had lunch with talked me into a Bloody Caesar. I hadn’t had this drink in ages and now I’m puzzled as to why not – it’s delish!

For those who’ve not had a Caesar, it’s basically a Bloody Mary with Clamato instead of tomato juice. What’s Clamato you might ask? A blend of tomato juice and clam broth sold in Canada. Sounds gross? I guess I could see that UNTIL you’ve had the pleasure of enjoying one.

The cocktail was invented in 1969 in Calgary by Walter Chell, a restaurateur looking to create a new cocktail for the opening of a new Italian restaurant.

The cocktail is so popular within Canada that it’s estimated over 350 million Caesars are drunk every year.

Here’s a basic recipe I’ve adapted from one of my Bloody Mary recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce good quality Vodka
• 6 ounces Clamato Juice
• 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• Lime wedge
• Celery salt
• 1 crisp celery stalk
• Freshly ground pepper

Directions:

1. In a mixing container or shaker, add the Vodka, Clamato, Worcestershire and hot sauce and mix vigorously.
2. Rim the edge of a highball glass with the lime then coat the rim in celery salt.
3. Add ice cubes to the glass to fill halfway then pour the tomato/Vodka liquid over the ice.
4. Add a celery stalk to the glass and sprinkle with pepper.

Makes 1 drink.