Both the Caesar and the Bloody Mary are popular alcoholic tomato-based drinks typically enjoyed in the morning and early afternoon hours. While they share some ingredients in common, there are differences between the two cocktails in their flavor profiles, histories, and customary garnishes.
Main Ingredients
The primary ingredients found in both the Caesar and Bloody Mary are:
- Vodka
- Tomato juice
- Hot sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Celery salt
The key differences lie in the preferred brands and types of the base spirits and flavoring ingredients.
Caesar
The Caesar typically uses:
- Vodka or clamato juice
- Clamato juice – a blend of tomato juice, clam broth and spices
- rimmed with celery salt
Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary typically uses:
- Vodka
- Tomato juice
- Rimmed with celery salt or plain salt and pepper
Flavor Profiles
The differing ingredients result in the Caesar and Bloody Mary having distinct flavor profiles:
Caesar
- Savory, briny, seafood flavor from the clamato juice
- Moderate heat from hot sauces like Tabasco
- Saltiness from the celery salt rim
- Salty and umami taste from Worcestershire sauce
Bloody Mary
- Tangy tomato flavor from the tomato juice
- Savory umami taste from Worcestershire sauce
- Spicy heat from Tabasco or other hot sauces
- Salt and pepper from the rim
Origins
The Caesar and Bloody Mary also have different geographical and historical origins:
Caesar
- Invented in 1969 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Created by restaurant manager Walter Chell
- Named after Julius Caesar
- Uses Canada’s popular Clamato juice
Bloody Mary
- Originated in the 1920s in Paris, France
- History and inventor disputed, but likely created by Pete Petiot
- Named for Queen Mary I of England
- Uses classic tomato juice
Garnishes
Caesars and Bloody Marys are distinguished by their customary garnishes:
| Caesar | Bloody Mary |
|---|---|
| Celery stalk | Celery stalk |
| Lime wedge | Lemon wedge |
| Bacon | Olives |
| Clam | Pickle |
The Caesar is often garnished with seafood embellishments like a skewer of shrimp or lobster claw to complement its briny clamato flavor. The Bloody Mary is more likely to be festooned with vegetable picks and cheese cubes to match its garden fresh tomato juice base.
Popularity
Both cocktails are beloved brunch drinks in their native countries:
- The Caesar is one of the most popular mixed drinks in Canada
- The Bloody Mary is a signature American brunch cocktail
However, the Bloody Mary enjoys greater worldwide fame and recognition as a classic vodka drink. The Caesar remains mostly a regional Canadian favorite, though it has been gaining more exposure internationally in recent years.
Recipes
While there are many variations, here are standard recipes for each drink:
Caesar
- 2 oz (60 ml) vodka
- 4 oz (120 ml) clamato juice
- 2 dashes hot sauce
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Celery salt rim
- Garnished with lime, celery, and seafood
Bloody Mary
- 2 oz (60 ml) vodka
- 4 oz (120 ml) tomato juice
- 1 tsp horseradish
- 2 dashes hot sauce
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
- Juice from 1/2 lemon
- Salt and pepper
- Garnished with lemon, celery, olives
Conclusion
While the Bloody Mary and Caesar share some common ingredients like vodka, tomato juice and hot sauce, they have distinguishing traits in their flavor profiles, origins, garnishes and regional popularity. The Caesar gains its savory brininess from clamato juice while the Bloody Mary is more vegetal tasting thanks to its tomato juice base. The Bloody Mary has worldwide fame as a brunch cocktail, while the Caesar remains predominantly a Canadian favorite. Both however are beloved morning eye-openers with a similar toolkit of ingredients to craft the perfect balance of flavor and spice.