The Caesar is Canada’s unofficial national cocktail.

Created in 1969 in Calgary, the savoury and boozy drink can be made extra spicy, extra dirty, extra meaty, and just plain over the top.

May 19 is National Caesar Day, and while we don’t need a reason to indulge in the cocktail, the occasion reminds us to revisit this Canadian classic.

Here are some awesome places to get the best Caesars in Vancouver.

Liberty Distillery

 

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Offering vodka, gin, and whiskey, Liberty Distillery makes one of the best Caesars in the city, and it can be enjoyed in its quaint and charming old-school tasting room. This is a great place to pick up a bottle to go or sit and stay awhile and soak up the sights and sounds of Granville Island.

Address: 1494 Old Bridge Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-558-1998

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Local Public Eatery

 

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Local’s El Caesar (composed of Absolut Vodka, Mott’s Clamato Juice, special Mexican hot sauce, other spices, and a pepperoni stick) is best described as the Wild West in a glass. It’s also perfect for a photo opp during brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Address: 2210 Cornwall Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-734-3589

Address: 3 Alexander Street, Vancouver
Phone: 778-737-4277

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Score on Davie

 

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Home of legendary over-the-top Caesars, the Score’s $60 Checkmate Caesar was definitely one of the brand’s most-talked-about novelty items, aside from the new Caesar Grande complete with two corn dogs, two fried mac and cheese balls, and a large slice of peanut butter pie, too. This rendition of the cocktail is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Address: 1262 Davie Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-632-1646

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Fanny Bay Oyster Bar

 

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Cool and briny like the ocean, Fanny Bay tops its house Caesar with, what else? A freshly shucked oyster. You can expect a classic Caesar with a lemon-salted rim here.

Address: 762 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Phone: 778-379-1590

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Chewies

 

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This restaurant might be known for its oysters, but there’s none in this rendition of your favourite drink. Chewies Caesar comprises New Amsterdam vodka, fresh horseradish, Clamato, and their super-secret blend of spices. The drink is topped with a cajun prawn and Kevin’s bacon. You can try it with Bulleit bourbon, Tanqueray gin, or Olmeca Altos tequila instead.

Address: 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-620-7634

Address: 2201 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-558-4448

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Zarak by Afghan Kitchen

 

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This Mount Pleasant spot has officially upped the ante with its Caesar flight, offered on its brunch menu. The flight features four different Caesar types with four different hot sauces from around the world, four different types of salt rims, and topped with things like vegan jerky, a shrimp cracker, and fried chicken.

Address: 2102 Main Street, Vancouver

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The Eatery

 

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This Kitsilano sushi spot has been around since 1983, so it’s pretty much perfected its Caesar at this point. This version features jalepeño-infused El Jimador tequila and goes really well with a spicy salmon roll.

Address: 3431 West Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: 604-738-5298

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With files from Hanna McLean and Daryn Wright