The Bloody Caesar turns 50 this year, and it’s biggest ‘booster’, Mott’s, is preparing a big celebration for National Caesar Day this coming May. But don’t wait for spring to enjoy this classier cousin of the Bloody Mary, Canada’s official National Cocktail…
Walter Chell, c. 1970, and his creation, the Bloody Caesar.
It’s a Canadian invention…
To celebrate the opening of the new Marco’s Restaurant at the Calgary Inn Hotel in 1969, Food and Beverage Manager Walter Chell mixed up a new cocktail that contained the key ingredients in his favourite Italian dish, Spaghetti Al Vongole – Red Sauce and Clams. In further homage to Italy, he named it the Bloody Caesar. It was vaguely reminiscent of a Bloody Mary, but boasted a bolder character all its own. Chell’s creation was the blueprint for millions of drinks to come over the years: Tomato Juice, Clam Nectar, Worcestershire Sauce and Celery Salt.
The official recipe is available at the Mott’s Clamato website. There are 50 Caesar variations there, too, to celebrate half a century of Cocktail contentment.
Not a universal favourite…yet
The Caesar quickly became famous across Canada, and the Duffy Mott Company, which made Fruit Juices and Applesauce products, jumped in to patent canned Clam & Tomato Juice – Clamato – thus taking a lead in the popularization of the drink.
But go into a bar in the U.S. or Europe, and order a Caesar? They’d probably bring you a salad.
Clamato seals the partnership
In 2000, Motts started selling ‘ready-to-drink Caesars in single serving bottles. All the ingredients in perfect balance, plus an Extra Spicy version. You’ll recall, that was the very beginning of the ‘Spicy’ movement in mainstream western cuisine, a movement that still thrives and grows today as North American and European palates get used to Asian, Indian, Carribbean and South American flavours. Mott’s claims that, today, more than 400 million Caesars are served across Canada every year.
Parliament makes it official
In 2009, the Bloody Caesar was proclaimed Canada’s National Cocktail by an Act of Parliament. No small achievement, and a real feather in the cap for Mott’s! As well, the Thursday before the Victoria Day long weekend was declared National Caesar Day.
Do your patriotic duty, Canadians!
Celebrate the Caesar’s 50th this year by enjoying one whenever you get the chance. And plan a Caesar Party for May 17. Think of it as St. Patrick’s Day for Italians!
~ Maggie J.