We are in fact drinking Caesars. America you need more clam juice @BaronessIFC @aurorabrowne @carolyntaylord
— Jennifer whalen (@JenniferWhalen) August 3, 2017
Americans call the drink a Bloody Mary. The Canadian Caesar is a similar drink with enough distinctions. IFC seemed confused and transferred that confusion, forcing the Baroness von Sketch Show in 2017 to change the wording in a sketch from "Caesar" to "Bloody Mary." How embarrassing this was for IFC that some untalented programming idiot didn't think people could do an Internet search such as "what is the difference between a Caesar and a Bloody Mary?"
Fortunately, Hulu had no issue with Letterkenny doing an episode devoted to the Caesar in its many forms. By doing nothing, Hulu proved to be smarter than IFC.
The basic difference between the drinks is that the Caesar traditionally uses Clamato juice, an actual product with clam juice and tomato juice as well as high-fructose corn syrup (glucose-fructose in Canada) and MSG. The Caesar usually has more elaborate garnishes than you will find in a Bloody Mary.
We can't vouch for a lot in this Reddit thread but this proves most Americans don't know the difference.
IFC should applaud the unique drink that is a Caesar
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Celebrating the Caesar
Even among Canadians, there are variances on what can go in a Caesar. Here are the recipes from Season 10, Episode 2 Dealership.
| Hicks | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Booze | Rimmers | Boosters | Garnishes | |||||||||||||
| 100% clamato juice |
3 oz. vodka | lemon juice | dash of Tabasco | celery stick | |||||||||||||
| celery salt | dash of Worcestershire | dill pickle | |||||||||||||||
| Montréal steak spice | shot of pickle juice | Slim Jim | |||||||||||||||
| Hockey players | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Booze | Rimmers | Boosters | Garnishes | |||||||||||||
| 50% clamato juice | 3 oz. vodka | lime juice | Frank's Red hot sauce | dill pickle | |||||||||||||
| 50% tomato juice | celery salt | 10 dashes of Worcestershire | pickled pepper | ||||||||||||||
| Montréal chicken spice | shot of dill pickle juice | pickled egg | |||||||||||||||
Hard to see a Caesar and not want a Caesar.
— Letterkenny Problems (@LetterkennyProb) May 18, 2019
| Skids | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Booze | Rimmers | Boosters | Garnishes | |||||||||||||
| 50% clamato juice | 3 oz. Beefeater gin | soya sauce | horseradish | Baffin Island jumbo cocktail shrimp | |||||||||||||
| 50% V-8 | celery salt | lemon juice | Salt Spring Island Dungeness crab leg | ||||||||||||||
| lemon pepper | Macarico piri-piri sauce | PEI Malpeque oyster | |||||||||||||||
| Women of MoDean's | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Booze | Rimmers | Boosters | Garnishes | |||||||||||||
| 100% clamato juice |
2.5 oz. vodka | Louisiana hot sauce | Slappy Mama hot sauce | jalapeno-stuffed olives | |||||||||||||
| 0.5 oz. moonshine | Old Bay seasoning | spicy horseradish | spicy dill pickle | ||||||||||||||
| Cajun spice | spicy garlic dill pickle juice | black pepper habanero beef jerky | |||||||||||||||
Those are some amazing combinations. The Women of MoDean's went a very spicy route. The use of moonshine was new to me. The Skids scored wonderful points mixing in some V-8. Their garnishes are supreme, very tasty, and extremely Canadian.
The hicks get points for using Montréal steak spice though 100% clamato would be difficult to take. The hockey players added extra protein with a pickled egg though surprised jerky wasn't a garnish. Not sure about Montréal chicken spice; hopefully the spice is from Portuguese chicken from Montréal.
| Your humble narrator | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Booze | Rimmers | Boosters | Garnishes | |||||||||||||
| 100% tomato juice |
2 oz. vodka | lime juice | 10-12 dashes of Worcestershire | deep fried dill pickle spear | |||||||||||||
| 2 oz. clam juice | celery salt | shot of dill pickle juice | singular ketchup chip | ||||||||||||||
| Montréal steak spice | horseradish | buffalo jerky | |||||||||||||||
My arrangement has the taste of clam without the excessive ingredients that take away from the taste. Clam juice is easy to find. My version is weaker on alcohol though the episode did state that 2 oz. was the standard portion. Prefer lime juice to lemon juice. Buffalo jerky is a nod to the Prairies. The ketchup chip is a highly unique flair selection but feels Canadian. (Picture not included.)
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Both sides of the border can get on board with making a homemade Caesar. Nothing wrong with doing a virgin Caesar if alcohol does not fit into your life. You have some very good designs with which to start enhancing your drink making experience.
Jared Keeso & Jacob Tierney co-wrote the episode. Letterkenny was created by Keeso, developed by Keeso and Tierney, and directed by Tierney (who makes occasional appearances as Glen).
Letterkenny is available on Crave in Canada and Hulu in the United States.
Twitter captures: @JenniferWhalen; @LetterkennyProb
photos credit: Letterkenny/Bell Media
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