It doesn’t sound like a particularly obvious combination — who would have thought that a combination of vodka, clam-spiked tomato juice and spices, garnished with a celery stick and a celery salt rim would become a symbol of Canada’s national identity? The drink was invented right here in Calgary over 50 years ago and its popularity only seems to be growing.

Caesar Bar at The Beltliner 

There are Caesars and there are meals that come with a side of boozy spiced Clamato juice. Falling into the latter category, The Beltliner lets customers choose from a base of gin, vodka or tequila with Clamato, hot sauce, and a smoked chilli rim before garnishing their Caesars with a range of skewered snacks like bacon, pepperoni, cheese, or a cupcake for a truly ridiculous creation. 

BBQ King Caesar at Big Sky BBQ 

Texas-style meat and cocktails rule at this rustic BBQ joint, but Alberta flavour sneaks in with over a dozen Caesar varieties on the menu. The BBQ King Caesar encompasses everything the restaurant is about in the most over-the-top way, featuring brisket, chicken, sausage, a rib, bacon, and a pulled pork sandwich, along with your standard vodka, Clamato and special house seasoning. This is not a drink — it’s dinner. 

Seaweed Gin Caesar at Blowers and Grafton 

Offering a taste of Halifax street food at several locations around Calgary, Blowers and Grafton’s heart may belong to the East Coast, but it still manages to pay proper tribute to Calgary’s drink of choice. Caesars take up an entire section on the Blowers’ menu so there’s plenty to choose from, but you can experience the best of both sides of the country with this concoction, which contains seaweed gin, actual seaweed and a pepperoni stick.  

Build your own Caesar at The Caesar Shop 

Pick up all the ingredients to dazzle your friends and family with your very own Caesar creation at the Caesar Shop. The Caesar Shop is Canada's first liquor store dedicated to telling the story of the Caesar cocktail. From pickled garnishes to a variety of Caesar mixes, specialty gins and vodkas, and everything in between, you can let your creativity flow when picking up ingredients to bring home to make your own perfect cocktail. 

Caesar Stack at Cleaver 

Cleaver has built its reputation on fun and whimsical fare, but the restaurant’s Caesar may be its crowning glory. The Caesar Stack is so out-of-control with garnishes, it isn’t even on the restaurant’s cocktail list — it’s listed as an item on the food menu. The drink itself acts as a vehicle for fried chicken with a jalapeno waffle, a jalapeno corn dog, a beef slider, bacon and pepperoncini. 

Caesar at Diner Deluxe 

One of Calgary’s most beloved chain of brunch joints, Diner Deluxe is a top go-to spot for breakfast cocktails of every description, including the mighty Caesar. Horseradish adds some pop to this morning-appropriate Caesar, which begs to be paired with the restaurant’s signature potato rosti or breakfast sandwich.  

K / H Caesar at Klein/Harris 

One of the best places in Calgary to go for cocktails, Klein/Harris has a “True North” section of its drinks menu that is wholly focused on hand-crafted Canadiana cocktails. This naturally includes a Caesar, albeit with a K/H twist. The restaurant makes its own clam and celery broth (sorry, Mott’s) and gives guests the choice of enhancing it with either vodka or gin from the local Eau Claire Distillery.  

NTNL Caesar at National 

Calgary’s four National beer hall locations are best known for their beer, but they also do a very fine Caesar. The NTNL Caesar is made with vodka, Clamato, a house blend of spices and garnished with pepperoni, bocconcini, pepperoncini, and a pickle spear. Best of all, there’s an endless supply of beer chasers on tap.  

Goro and Gun Caesar at Goro + Gun 

This Japanese restaurant is one of the best places in the city to learn about sake, but they also put a unique Japanese spin on the familiar Caesar. Goro + Gun’s Caesar starts with shochu, a Japanese distilled liquor, which is mixed with a special spiced yuzu Clamato and rimmed with togarashi with a small sushi roll as a garnish.  

Rodney’s Caesar at Rodney’s Oyster House 

A cocktail made with clam broth practically begs for a seafood garnish — unsurprisingly, the bar at Rodney’s Oyster House is happy to pile it on. Rodney’s Classic Caesar is spiked with horseradish and topped with a spicy bean and a juicy shrimp. 

Thomsons Caesar at Thomsons Kitchen and Bar 

The restaurant in the downtown Hyatt hotel is known for its phenomenal breakfasts, which means it better have a pretty darn solid Caesar. The Caesar at Thomson’s isn’t nearly as outrageously garnish heavy as some of the other examples on this list, but when it comes to balance, the bar’s classic mix of vodka, hot sauce, Clamato, and Worcestershire is exactly what it should be.  

If these spots aren’t in your plans, the vast majority of restaurants and bars in Calgary have a bottle of Clamato stashed behind the bar and will happily whip up a Caesar any time of day. Be sure to ask for it extra spicy and don’t forget to eat your garnish!