Admittedly, this week’s Worldly Eats recipe is a bit of a cop out. No exotic dish or complicated steps today. Why so? Because I am extremely hungover. Gawd, get off my back.
To be fair, if you are not Canadian then a Caesar will be exotic (and possibly odd) to you. This extremely popular drink is the perfect companion for a hangover. Clams and tomato juice? Of course, I can stomach that after a night of drinking!
It may not sound that appetizing but Caesars have been curing hurting Canucks for years – and only now has it got better.
Meet Walter
New to the Caesar scene is Walter, an all-natural alternative to the MSG ridden Clamato. Craft to boot. With a cute nod to the inventor of the Caesar (Walter Chell), Walter the mix is a welcome addition to the party. I have friends that love a good Caesar but can’t enjoy one due to the MSG contents of Clamato. Boom. Walter.
Apart from being all-natural, Walter is delicious. It is much thicker than Clamato – something I like about Bloody Mary mixes in the states – and is not as salty. It has a mild clam taste and a spicy finish. It is a nice way to make a cocktail that drinks like a meal even more satisfying.
Currently, Walter can only be found in select stores. Check out their website for info on where you can find it.
Now stumble with me as I try and make an all-natural remedy to my Saturday night.
Before you Start:
Prep time: 2-25 min (depending on your condition)
Serves: 3 hangovers
Ingredients:
Spices and other 1 bottle of Walter Vodka Worcestershire sauce Tabasco Fresh cracked pepper Celery salt or Caesar rimmer - SEE BELOW FOR MY FAVOURITE CAESAR RIMMER MIX! Lime wedges Celery
Directions:
1. After chasing that Tylenol with a liter of tap water cut some lime wedges. Try not to hurt yourself…more.
2. Get four glasses from the pantry. Accidentally smash one on the floor. Clean the glass up later, now is not the time.
3. Pour all ingredients in a glass. Realize you forgot to salt the rim first. Dump. Start over.
4. Awkwardly run a lime wedge around the circumference on the glasses. Get half way done then realize it is easier if you cut a slit in the middle of the lime first.
5. Dump WAY too much celery salt on a small plate (and floor) then gently (or not) place the glass on the plate. Rotate glass to cover the whole rim.
Tip: If you want to make this process easier, pick up a super handy (and compact) glass rimmer kit!
6. Add ice to glasses. Realize you have no ice. Make ice.
7. Check on ice shortly after the trays were put in the freezer. Still water. Contemplate getting a new freezer.
8. Shortly after add half frozen cubes to glasses. Add a few dashes of Worcestershire and Tabasco sauce.
9. Add a shot of vodka. Add more based on hangover severity.
10. Top it off with Walter Caesar mix.
11. Garnish with whatever you can find in your fridge. For this demonstration, we will go with the original celery stalk. Boring but refreshing.
12. Feel better!
How do you make a better Caesar even Better?
It’s all about garnishing. Although celery is the norm, pickled green beans to jumbo prawns are commonly found in this great Canadian cocktail. Beef jerky, pepperoni, and bacon are found in heartier mixes. One of my best homemade favorites was using leftover pork chops to garnish.
Different variations of rimmer and ingredients are also common. My personal favorites? Gin, horseradish, black pepper, and a splash of dill pickle juice with an around-the-world Caesar rimmer of:
This Life in Trip’s Well-Traveled Caesar Rimmer
If you find celery salt too boring pick up some Club House Caser Rimmer Mix (my favorite) or give this blend a go:
Spices
Montreal Steak Spice
dash of dried wasabi
dash of Hungariang Paprika
dried dill
black pepper
rim with dill pickle juice!
PIN ME!
It’s pretty funny that there hasn’t been an alternative to Clamato until now. Seems like a win win! Can’t wait to try it out.
For sure. Kinda one of those ideas that makes you think “duh.” The fact that it is all natural and contains no MSG’s is a huge win. Plus it makes a great caesar!
Ha I like your steps to making this. Sounds about right!
Can’t wait to try Walter.
Right?? Typical Sunday caesar’s in my household. I go through a lot of glasses 😉
What an odd mix. I do like clam sauce though…and vodka! Plus the garnishing looks super fun. Guessing it can’t be found in the US?
It does sound a bit odd. Clamato (really the only clam-tomato juice option until now) has tried to get into the US market before but didn’t get much further than the states that boarder Canada. People couldn’t get over the claminess. I’m not sure if Walter will be heading south or not. Check out their website for more details!
I just saw this in Whole Foods downtown Van. I will have to try it out next time I am there.
For sure! It is really good and apparently flying off the shelves!
This would have been good for New Year’s Day!
Ha! Indeed!
That garnish looks ridiculous.
A bit much but a meal and drink in one!
This looks great. I love the thicker blends you find in Bloody Marry’s. Can’t wait to try Walter.
Me too. That is what I like best about Walter.
Love a good Caesar on Sunday. Perfect way to start brunch.
Agreed!
Must try this!