Caesars are not widely known outside of Canada and my international friends are more often than not, quick to throw a side eye to a drink that involves a combination of clams and tomatoes. Whether enjoyed on a sunny patio or when nursing a hangover during Sunday brunch, love it or hate it, this national cocktail is a true Canadian staple.
The Caesar was created in Calgary, Alberta in 1969 at the Calgary Inn by restaurant manager and resident barman Walter Chell. Upon being asked to create a signature cocktail for the hotels new Italian restaurant, Chell was inspired by the classic Italian dish spaghetti alle vongole, spaghetti with tomato sauce and clams. The same year that this Canadian classic cocktail was born Motts Clamato juice, a blend of tomato and clam juice, went into distribution. Talk about perfect timing!
A classic Caesar contains Clamato juice, vodka, a few dashes of hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce and is served in a tall glass rimmed with celery salt, garnished with a celery stick and a wedge of lime. Variations on this classic cocktail are wide spread across the country. On a quest for the perfect Caesar I ventured, along with four others, on a Caesar tour in the resort town of Whistler, BC.
Christine’s is nestled 6000 feet at the top of Blackcomb mountain. The Caesar Royale is nothing short of a classic amped up with freshly grated horseradish and cracked black pepper. The mountain view and over the top garnish make this caesar a meal in a glass worth making the trek for.
Price: $7.95
Garnish: Pepperoni stick, red pepper, olives, spicy beans, lime wedge
Rim: Celery salt
Score: 9/10
Location: Blackcomb Mountain
Nita Lake Lodge’s Cure Lounge & Patio boasts a creative drink menu thanks to an in-house mixologist. The caesar doesn’t fall short of high expectations combining Ciroc vodka and port adding depth to the Canadian classic. Not to mention extras like house pickled veggies and charcuterie. At this price, this drink is a steal and scores a perfect ten among our judging panel!
Price: $7.50
Garnish: House pickled garlic scape, pickled onion, house-made charcuterie, lime wedge
Rim: Dehydrated horseradish, smoked salt
Score: 10/10
Location: 2131 Lake Placid Road / @NitaLakeLodge
There are many things that make the caesar at Alta Bistro special but what sets it apart from the rest is its homemade clamato juice. The freshly made juice combined with a shrimp salt rim, house made spicy beans as well as charcuterie from Nita Lake Lodge make this caesar an amplified version of its traditional self.
Price: $9.50 for 2oz
Garnish: House-made spicy bean, locally made charcuterie, lime wedge
Rim: Shrimp salt
Score: 9.5/10
Location: 4319 Main Street RR 4, Whistler, BC / @Alta_Bistro
The Sidecut Signature Caesar at the Four Seasons is by far the classiest caesar you can find in Whistler. Made with Finlandia vodka, port, E2 steak sauce, cholula and worcestershire sauce and topped with a quails egg and house-made jerky this drink packs a punch. So much so that our judging panel couldn’t imagine drinking more than one at Sunday brunch, which considering the price, is probably for the best.
Price: $16
Garnish: House jerky, cherry tomato, quails egg
Rim: Edison’s Medicine (a house made rub)
Score: 7/10
Location: 4591 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC / @FSWhistler / @SIDECUTsteak
No frills are necessary for this caesar that uses bacon infused vodka and house hot sauce. The Bearfoot Bistro’s caesar exudes simplistic style with a celery salted rim and tasty olive garnish. But seriously, with bacon, can anyone really go wrong?
Price: $8.00
Garnish: Olive
Rim: Celery salt
Score: 8/10
Location: 4121 Village Green, Whistler, BC
The caesar at Merlins has all the bells and whistles, lots of garnishes and even a drink umbrella. The over the top extras don’t hide the fact that this is one good caesar – made with Skyy vodka, freshly grated horesradish, BBQ sauce, chipotle and lemon juice. This drink is a party in a glass!
Price: $7.50
Garnish: Celery, cucumber, green olives, beef jerky, gherkin, cocktail umbrella, lemon and lime wedge
Rim: Celery salt
Score: 8/10
Location: 4553 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC
As far as a caesar goes, this is as classic as it gets. Straight up clamato juice, vodka, splash of olive brine, worcestershire and tabasco, with a few shakes of salt and pepper. Milestone’s is clearly not prepared to tinker with a classic. Unless you know a cute bartender who’s willing to add a few extras, this drink is the best bang for your buck.
Price: $5.99
Garnish: Spicy bean, lime wedge
Rim: Celery salt
Score: 8.5/10
Location: 4308 Main Street, Whistler, BC
If you happen to know said cute bartender, you might end up with something like this: warm bacon, (yes, warm), pickle, spicy bean, olives, lemon and lime wedges and maybe an extra ounce of vodka! Ask for Aidan, but don’t tell him I sent you!
