May 16 is National Caesar Day here in Canada. And while my girlfriend and fellow blogger, Alex, and I don’t need an excuse to whip up this iconic Canadian cocktail, we’re gonna take it!

The thing about Caesars is that if you’re sitting in a restaurant and the waitress walks by with one, you feel compelled to order one yourself. Or maybe that’s just me? Ha!

Regardless, when it comes to this spicy beverage, I’m as much about what’s in the glass as what’s on top of it.

As for what’s in it: though the traditional recipe calls for vodka, I’m all about a good gin Caesar. And if you’re from outside of Canada and are thinking that this drink is the same as a Bloody Mary: it’s not. One word: c-l-a-m-a-t-o.

Though tomato-based, a Caesar’s main ingredient is clamato juice as opposed to tomato juice. That addition of clam broth really changes the flavour.

As for what’s on top of it: give me all the flair.

A celery stick is standard but for National Caesar Day, we decided to amp it up. We raided our local deli, finding a selection of charcuterie board-worthy fixings to crown our Caesar.

Sooooo this Charcuterie Gin Caesar is essentially a small meal in a glass and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Let’s check out the recipe:

Charcuterie Gin Caesar

Yields 1 cocktail

You’ll need:

• 1.5 ounces gin (our preference: Hendrick’s Gin)
• Mott’s Clamato, to fill
• 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 4 dashes hot sauce (our preference: TABASCO)
• 1 tbsp pickle juice
• Salt, to season
• Pepper, to season
• Ice

Rimmer:

• Celery salt
• Lime

Garnish:

• At a bare minimum, you’ll want celery!
• We also added: a pepperoni stick, pickled bean, salami, pickled asparagus, sharp cheddar, pickled carrot and a pickle spear.

Directions:

Rim a pint glass with citrus and celery salt. Fill glass with ice and add 1.5 ounces gin. Top with Mott’s Clamato. Add four dashes tabasco hot sauce, four dashes Worcestershire, two shakes each of salt and pepper, and a tablespoon of pickle juice. Stir well and garnish. Enjoy this great Canadian classic!

Full disclosure: life, and Caesars, are better with a bit of spice. Or – in this case – quite a bit. If you prefer a milder taste, scale back the TABASCO hot sauce.

Swoon-worthy Barware

If you’re looking to serve up your Charcuterie Gin Caesar in style, check out this fabulous barware!

Alex (@alexandtribe) and I (@chandeliers.and.champagne) are sharing delicious cocktail recipes all summer long – so be sure to tag us on Instagram if you try one for yourself!

Happy sipping!

Xo Holly and Alex

Did you enjoy this Gin Caesar recipe? If so, give it a Pin!