The Caesar - A Canadian tradition of drunkeness
Photo by hfabulous
40 years ago, in an unassuming bar in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, bartender Walter Chell created a drink that is widely anonymous outside Canada, the Caesar. While Canadians drink 350 million Caesars a year (do the math on that one ... thats 10 Caesars per year for every Canadian, including newborns), trying to order one outside Canada usually elicits, at best, a dumb stare of non-recognition.
Who else but someone suffering extreme hypothermia (a natural condition in Canada for 9 months of the year, of course) could decide "a concoction of mixing clam juice, with tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and vodka" might make a good cocktail? Vodka and tomato is one thing, but it takes a special kind of deranged to throw clams in the mix ... who but Canadians (or Klingons) would ever think of putting meat in their drinks?
And yet, its a wonderful taste, smooth and spicy at the same time. Its the perfect apetizer before a meal, and a great party drink (though don't be the doofas who gets stuck making them for everyone). So go out today, find a nice Canadian pub, and order yourself a Caesar. Then explain to the bartender what it is, and finally, come to Canada to try a real one. You'll like it.
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Theodora Adorna
Maureen J Andrade
Rachel West
The Purple Pedant
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Kevin Broccoli
Salon.com
Comments
I'm all about fresh and natural.
Thank god I can buy Clamato at the supermarkets here.
This was hilarious, Lyle! I LOLed at the putting meat in the drink line, because it is so true! Rated!
Go to New Orleans. They'll put pickled okra in your bloody mary. Which is worse, getting okra stuck in your teeth or clams?
wskrz: do you also notice that even if they manage to find all the ingredients for you, its never quite the same taste outside of Canada?
Stellaa: Canadians are DEEPLY patriotic, especially so when we can display it by getting drunk. Thats a good mix for Canadians.
angrymom: Now thats just plain gross. I've seen that done here as well, and that crosses a serious line, IMO. Not enough alcohol content.
ConnieMack: Never dosed a hangover in Vegas, because my Vegas hangovers don't actually occur till I LEAVE Vegas. Oh, and okra in my Caesar is wrong on more levels than this Canadian can count. The only substitution or addition I'll accept is asparagus instead of a celery stick.
JK Brady: ahhhh, B52's. I;d say I remember drinking a ton of those in the 80's, but that would be a bald face lie. There are pictures proving its true, but given that its true, I'm not likely to remember much of it am I?
To Everyone: Thanks for the comments and rates.
Who, indeed?
Candied bacon martini.
http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fow-baconrec3d-2008dec03,0,7141243.story
Juliet: You have lyrical way with words on this topic that betrays many hours on Montreal patios sampling Caesar's. Nice to see you're doing your part for the national numbers ;-)
Isn't there a traditional cocktail made w/ beef broth? I can't for the life of me remember what it is, though. A little help here?
Isn't there a traditional cocktail made w/ beef broth? I can't for the life of me remember what it is, though. A little help here?
But they're a cure for hangovers, colds, flus, break ups, make ups, first Sundays of the week...
AnneMarie: Happy to see you are picking up for those slacking, suckling babies. And the Caesar is one of the few drinks that mixes vegetables and protein ... very healthy stuff there. With the celery, you've even got fiber.
My favourite time to enjoy a Caesar is at wedding receptionsl. I'm usually so starved after a long day of churchiness that I sub a couple of these in as a meal replacement.
Congratulations on your first EP! I love clams and I love the sound of that drink, except for the spicy part. No tabasco for me.
ktm: Thanks ... its actually my second editor's pick, but this was my first time on the front page. 2nd EP, 1st FP, lol. Kinda surprised the South Park one didn't get picked as well ... not sure I understand how its done, lol.
And I have to agree with Juliet on the Thai cuisine comparison...I hadn't thought of it in those terms previously, but then again around here you don't really need to explain the concept all that often...
Cheers!