Happy National Caesar Day! Celebrate in style with food and Caesar pairings that are a match made in summer cocktail heaven. 

Nothing says “summer is here” quite like an ice-cold Caesar. This well-loved drink is more than just a cocktail — it’s a national delicacy, a brunch staple, a hangover cure, and depending on the garnishes, a meal in itself. 

This oh-so-Canadian cocktail can be enjoyed any time of day, but if you’re looking for another excuse to bust out Mott’s Clamato and mix one up today, here it is: today is National Caesar Day!

Just in time for the first long weekend of summer, we’ve partnered with Mott’s Clamato to bring you delicious food and Caesar pairings that were made for sunny skies and al fresco dining.

The Best Caesar Garnishes

First things first — before we dive into our favourite food and Caesar pairings, let’s tackle another important component of this cocktail: garnishes.

When it comes to Caesar toppings, anything goes! Keep it simple with celery and spicy beans, or up your garnish game with over-the-top additions like beef sliders and grilled cheese. The possibilities are endless and there’s truly no wrong way to top your Caesar. 

Here are some of the best traditional and not-so-traditional Caesar garnishes:

• Celery
• Olives
• Pickled green beans
• Dill pickles
• Pickled peppers
• Pepperoni sticks
• Salami
• Bacon
• Cocktail onions
• Bacon-wrapped shrimp

15 of Our Favourite Recipes to Pair with Caesars 

Caesars aren’t just for breakfast or brunch! Their savoury, sweet, and spicy flavours round out everything from seafood dishes to grilled meat and so much more. 

Burgers 

Can you think of a more perfect barbecue and beverage pairing than a burger and a Caesar? Sure, beer and wine work too, but if you really want to take your meal to the next level, a savoury Caesar is the ultimate choice.

Pair your Caesar with these burger recipes:

Cheesy Brie and Beef Burgers

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Homestyle Cheese Curd and Beef Burger

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Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Burgers

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Veggie Poblano Cheddar Burger

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Shrimp 

There’s a reason you often see shrimp served as a garnish on Caesars — these two complement each other so well. 

Ditch the shrimp cocktail at your next summer cookout and whip up one of the shrimp recipes we’ve listed here instead. Wash it all down with a Caesar, and you’ve got a delicious summer pairing you can make all season long.

Pair your Caesar with these shrimp recipes:

Pub Style Shrimp Cocktail

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Classic Surf and Steak Dinner

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Pesto Shrimp Pizzas

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Bacon

Drawing more inspiration from popular Caesar garnishes, bacon makes for a mouthwatering accompaniment to this quintessential patio sipper, especially if you like your Caesar on the sweeter or smokier side.

Pair your Caesar with these bacon recipes:

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken

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BLT Pasta

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Maple Shrimp and Chili Bacon 

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Pasta

When Walter Chell — the inventor of the Caesar — created the original Caesar recipe in 1969, he drew inspiration from spaghetti alle vongole, a pasta dish made with tomato sauce and clams. So, it’s safe to say that pasta is a foolproof pairing with this zesty cocktail.

Tomato and oil-based pasta (rather than anything with a creamy sauce) work well with Caesars, so opt for something like our Fusilli Aglio e Olio — a simple dish brimming with big flavours.

Fusilli Aglio e Olio

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Caprese Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella

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Grilled Cheese

When we say “grilled cheese,” we’re not just referring to the classic sandwich (though that pairing definitely works too!) — we’re talking about any dish that features grilled, melty, gooey cheese as the main event.

Cheese and tomatoes go hand in hand, so pairing your Caesar with dishes that feature cheddar, mozzarella, halloumi, or goat cheese are guaranteed to be a winning combo.

Pair your Caesar with these cheesy recipes:

Grilled Mozzarella Bun

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Halloumi-Stuffed Peppers

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Mozzarella-Crusted Chicken

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Now that your long weekend menu is sorted, it’s time for a Caesar! Head over to Mott’s Clamato for recipes that’ll have you mixing up your next Caesar like a pro, and get inspired with more summer-ready meals here: Our Favourite Grill Recipes.