bloody caesar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (primarily Canadian English; rare elsewhere)Informal, colloquial (for the drink); Formal/literary (for the historical reference)
Quick answer
What does “bloody caesar” mean?
A Canadian cocktail made with vodka, clamato juice (clam and tomato juice), Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and garnished with a celery stalk and a lime wedge, typically served in a glass with a salted rim.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Canadian cocktail made with vodka, clamato juice (clam and tomato juice), Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and garnished with a celery stalk and a lime wedge, typically served in a glass with a salted rim.
The term can also refer to the historical figure Julius Caesar in contexts describing his violent or sanguinary actions, though this is less common and usually requires clear contextual cues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Bloody Caesar' is virtually unknown as a drink. 'Bloody Mary' is the common tomato-based cocktail. In the US, it is also very rare, with 'Bloody Mary' being standard. In Canada, 'Caesar' or 'Bloody Caesar' is the national cocktail.
Connotations
In Canada: convivial, social, brunch, classic cocktail. In UK/US: likely confusion or assumed reference to 'Bloody Mary' or the historical figure.
Frequency
High frequency in Canada, especially in social/dining contexts. Extremely low to zero frequency in the UK and US for the drink meaning.
Grammar
How to Use “bloody caesar” in a Sentence
[Subject] ordered a bloody caesar.Let's have [Determiner] bloody caesar.This bartender makes [Possessive] bloody caesar with extra hot sauce.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bloody caesar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in hospitality/tourism marketing ('Enjoy our signature bloody caesar!').
Academic
Extremely rare; potentially in cultural or culinary studies.
Everyday
Common in Canada in social dining/drinking contexts ('Let's grab a caesar after work.').
Technical
Used in bartending/mixology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bloody caesar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bloody caesar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bloody caesar”
- Confusing it with a 'Bloody Mary' (which lacks clam juice).
- Capitalizing incorrectly (often lowercased in running text).
- Using it to refer to Caesar salad.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A Bloody Mary is made with tomato juice. A Bloody Caesar is made with clamato juice (a blend of clam and tomato juice), giving it a distinct, savoury, umami flavour.
It was invented in 1969 by bartender Walter Chell at the Calgary Inn (now the Westin Hotel) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
It is possible but uncommon. You may need to explain the recipe to the bartender. In the US or UK, asking for a 'Canadian Caesar' might be more effective.
As a drink name, no, it is not considered offensive in Canada. The word 'bloody' here is an intensifier in the cocktail naming tradition (cf. Bloody Mary). The historical/literal interpretation is not the primary meaning.
A Canadian cocktail made with vodka, clamato juice (clam and tomato juice), Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and garnished with a celery stalk and a lime wedge, typically served in a glass with a salted rim.
Bloody caesar is usually informal, colloquial (for the drink); formal/literary (for the historical reference) in register.
Bloody caesar: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblʌdi ˈsiːzə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblʌdi ˈsiːzɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As Canadian as a bloody caesar.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Bloody' (like Bloody Mary) + 'Caesar' (sounds like 'seize her' – but it's a Canadian drink that seizes your taste buds with clam and spice).
Conceptual Metaphor
A drink is a national identity marker (for Canada).
Practice
Quiz
In which country is 'bloody caesar' a common term for a popular cocktail?