This ultimate Caesar Cocktail is a total Canadian classic! It has a Caesar mix and vodka base. The whole thing gets flavour and spice from ingredients like horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Like most cocktails, it’s made quickly (in about 5 minutes). My favourite part? It has a snack built right in!

Hi everyone! This is an update on a post I did way back when. Being one of my favorite cocktails, I thought it needed a little remodel with fresh pictures, so here it is!
I love to enjoy a spicy Caesar cocktail, especially on Canada Day, with some good eats and relaxing on the deck. Plus, I can change it up, if I like, with garnish.
So, let’s check out this delicious Caesar cocktail recipe. Dare I say, the best Caesar cocktail that I’ve tried. Hope you love it too!
What Is a Caesar Cocktail?
The Caesar is a classic Canadian cocktail invented by a restaurateur in 1969. The rest is history because this is one popular cocktail around here! You can even find pre-mixed Caesars where you would find wine, beer and the like.
Truthfully, though, it’s much better to make them yourself because they come together so darn quickly and you can adjust to how you like it. Caesars can be enjoyed at cocktail hour or weekend brunch, alike.
Caesar Versus Bloody Mary
The main base of a Caesar is Caesar mix (tomato juice and claim juice mixture). However, the main base of a Bloody Mary is tomato juice.
Ingredients in a Caesar Cocktail
There are some fundamental ingredients in a Canadian Caesar cocktail:
- Caesar mix (basically a mixture of tomato juice & clam broth, as mentioned above). You can easily purchase pre-mixed Caesar mix in your grocery.
- Vodka
- Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce
- Celery salt
- Lime juice
- Celery stick
- Ice (optional), but recommended
I add a couple of additions in my Caesar cocktail to give it a little something extra, like horseradish and black pepper. Plus, I garnish with more than just celery. Who doesn’t enjoy a little snack on top?

How To Make the Best Caesar Cocktail
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a tall glass to wet.
- Sprinkle some celery salt on a plate and invert a glass into it to coat the rim (the lime juice helps the celery salt to adhere).
- Pour in Caesar mix, vodka, horseradish, Worcestershire, hot sauce, lime juice and black pepper. Stir.
- Top with ice cubes and stir again.
- Garnish to your heart’s content (or simply enjoy as is).
How to Garnish
A celery stick is traditional, but the possibilities are endless here! For me, I like to mix and match garnish. Some options are:
- Salami or pepperoni
- Green olives
- Pickled onions
- Pickled green beans
- Hot peppers (that are brined or pickled)
- Oysters (if you’re getting extra fancy)
- Onion rings (again, you’re wearing fancy pants here)
I’ve even seen Caesars with sliders and wings as a garnish! Now that’s quite the garnish, isn’t it?
Can I Make This a Non Alcoholic Caesar Cocktail?
Of course! Vodka is a pretty neutral tasting spirit. If you prefer, you can omit the vodka altogether and have a virgin Caesar cocktail. It’s really yummy, even without the vodka! Trust me, I speak from experience.
Honestly, I love the snack served on top of the Caesar just as much as the actual drink; both components are pretty awesome!
I love mine extra spicy ’cause that’s how I roll, but you can adjust the hot sauce to your taste if you like it a little milder; I’m not gonna judge!

Tips for Making This Recipe
- Not a fan of Caesar mix? Make this Caesar cocktail with vegetable juice. No traditional, but I do enjoy.
- Use as much or as little hot sauce as you like.
- Planning a party? Make a big jug of this Caesar and guests can serve themselves. Only add ice when serving so it doesn’t water down.
- Speaking of party, how about a little garnish station? Put out little dishes of cured meats, pickled vegetables and the like so guests can customize their own garnish.
Snacks to Enjoy With This Cocktail
Hope you enjoy this ultimate Caesar cocktail on Thirsty Thursday, brunch with friends or family or just a random Friday evening spent with your sweetie!
Cheers to a wonderful weekend!
If you make this ultimate Caesar cocktail recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!

Ultimate Caesar Cocktail (The Best Caesar Recipe)
Ingredients
Ultimate Caesar Cocktail
- ½ lime
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- 1 cup Caesar mix, like Clamato (or your favourite Caesar mix)
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 3 to 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 3 to 4 dashes hot sauce, or to taste (I like Tabasco here, but you can use your favourite)
- pinch freshly ground black pepper
- ice cubes, enough to top glass
Garnish Ideas (optional)
- Pickled green beans
- Sliced salami
- Sweet onions
- Pimento stuffed green olives
- Celery rib
Instructions
- Wet the rim of a tall glass with lime (don't discard the lime because the juice will be used in your cocktail).
- Place celery salt on a small plate. Invert the glass into the celery salt to coat.
- To glass, add Caesar mix, vodka, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lime juice (from the lime half) and black pepper. Use a spoon and stir to combine. Top with ice cubes (I like to give everything another little stir).
- On a wooden skewer (big enough to cover a little more than the width of your glass), garnish as desired. Place over top of your glass. Add a celery stick to your cocktail (great for stirring and enjoying). Serve and enjoy!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Sabrina says
Yum, Caesar’s make me proud to be Canadian! Love the addition of the horseradish and I totally agree with the snack up top 🙂 Cheers, and thanks for this updated classic!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Totally! Thank you Sabrina! Cheers 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
Definitely a classic cocktail! So flavourful, and the built in snack is my favourite part! Looks great Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Mine too! Thank you Leanne 🙂
Kelly says
I was looking for a delicious Caesar recipe for National Caesar’s Day in Canada tomorrow ( which also happens to be my birthday!! )…this hits the nail on the head! I am a Canadian living in the USA and your drink recipe is fantastic!! Beautiful garnishes, tasty and full flavor combinations! Thanks for the recipe!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Happy birthday Kelly! Hope you have a fabulous day!! Thank you so much…it’s definitely a favourite around here 🙂 Hope you love it too!
Patty says
Mmmm I would order that drink only for the little goodies on the skewers LOL. I’m very intrigued by the clamato juice, guess I’ll have to try, cheeeeerzzz!
Girl Heart Food says
Haha – so tasty! I always go for that skewer of goodies first 😉 Thanks Patty!
linda spiker says
lol I am obsessed with what’s on the toothpick! Ten of those could be my dinner:)
Girl Heart Food says
Haha – right?? Me too! Right there with ya 😉
Carrie says
I’ve never heard of this drink before, sounds so delicious!
Girl Heart Food says
Thanks Carrie…it’s a classic ’round here 😉
Julia says
Clamato juice? Now that sounds interesting. Love how you garnished the glasses with that little tapas!
Girl Heart Food says
Thank you Julia! My favourite part is that snack 😉
Claudia Lamascolo says
what a delight to make. My brothers would love this to start off a nice dinner on Sunday!
Girl Heart Food says
Thank you Claudia!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
I’ve never heard of a Caesar cocktail, or mixing tomato and clam juice… but I’m totally loving this! I want to try it! (Is this where I admit that I’ve never tasted a bloody mary either? lol)
Girl Heart Food says
Well, now you need to try 😉 I love mine extra spicy, but I especially love the snack with it!
David @ Spiced says
I totally hear you on the tastes changing thing, Dawn! I used to hate veggie juice, too, but now I love it. In fact, I’ll sometimes get bloody mary mix on a plane (no alcohol…just the mix) and sip on it. Yum! So Caesars. My curling buddies LOVE these, and they often mix up a big batch and then bring a glass out on the ice with them when we play morning games. I’m more on the tomato juice side of things, but I can appreciate a good recipe…and this is a great one! 🙂 Hope you had an awesome weekend, my friend!
Girl Heart Food says
Figures that your curling buddies would love caesars 😉 It’s totally awesome with tomato juice too! Thanks David!
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
I’ve never tried a Caesar Cocktail before. I’m usually not one for vegetable juices, but now I totally want to try this and see if my tastes have changed, especially if it comes with that snack on top. 😉
Looking forward to your Quickie Thursday posts, Dawn. Hope you’re having an awesome weekend!
Girl Heart Food says
The snack on top is the BEST – always about the food, right? Thanks so much, Tracy!
Charlotte Lamontagne says
I used to hate mushrooms but now I love them. Maybe I should also retry veggie juice!
Girl Heart Food says
Love mushrooms too! Tastes definitely do change 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
Thank you for the background on Caesar vs Bloody Mary. I honestly had no idea what the difference is. I used to dislike vegetable based drinks as well but now I’m loving them! Especially when they come with a tasty treat on top 😉 This one has been pinned!!! Have a great weekend my fellow Canuck! XO
Girl Heart Food says
Thank you very much Katherine!! And I appreciate the Pin! Hope you love this one as much as I do 😉 Have an awesome weekend too! XO
Cindy says
Hitting the pin for sure, as this is sure to make my belly happy. I am not sure those snacks will make it into this cocktail as it all looks so delicious and I can’t control myself these days. Love this Canadian classic.
Girl Heart Food says
Yay! Appreciate that, Cindy! I usually always have extra of the garnish to eat as I’m preparing this one….too good 😉
Kevin | Keviniscooking says
Hail Caesar! Looks rather tasty and a built in appetizer, too? Cheers!
Girl Heart Food says
Thanks Kevin! Can’t beat a drink and snack in one, can ya?