Clamato is a tomato-based, spiced drink that features clam broth, spices and seasoning. It is often used as a mixer for alcoholic beverages like the Bloody Mary or Caesar cocktail. You might be wondering if Clamato is vegan, so let’s explore this question together.
What is Clamato?
Clamato was created in the 50s and was first released in its current form as another type of tomato juice. Clamato is a drink that blends tomato juice and clam broth, with some spices blended in too. The most common way to consume this briny beverage? In cocktails like the Bloody Caesar or Michelada. While it is an American beverage, it is not especially popular in that country… but it is VERY popular in nearby Canada and Mexico, and is commonly used in drinks that were invented in these countries.
Is Clamato vegan?
Clamato is NOT VEGAN, as it contains dried clam broth. The hint here really is in the name which is a portmanteau, clam + tomato juice = Clamato. Don’t worry though. It is easy to substitute these ingredients if you are determined to enjoy the drinks that contain Clamato. The clam powder in this drink adds a depth of flavor to regular tomato juice so we just need to replace this.
Which dishes and drinks contain Clamato?
A (Bloody) Caesar Cocktail
A Bloody Caesar is a cocktail originating in the Canadian city of Calgary and is consumed primarily in Canada. It typically contains vodka, a caesar mix (a blend of tomato juice and clam broth which is the actual Clamato), hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt for garnish with an ice-filled glass that can be rimmed with either the same ingredients as on top or other spices such as cayenne powder to spice it up and a stalk of celery. Products similar to Clamato are sometimes marketed as Cesar mix
Michelada
A Michelada is a Mexican drink made with beer, lime juice, assorted sauces (often chile-based), spices, tomato juice and chiles and it’s served in a chilled salt rimmed glass. There are numerous variations of this beverage throughout Mexico that all vary by region but the base ingredients stay largely the same! Other ingredients that might be added or act as substitutes for the above ingredients could be Maggi sauce, soy sauce, Tajín (a chili lime seasoning), Worcestershire sauce, chamoy powder, serrano peppers, camaronazo (a shrimp-based tomato juice), clamato, or slices of orange. If you are vegan and you order a Michelada, you should check if it contains Worcestershire sauce, camaronazo or Clamato and ask for vegan alternatives or ask them to omit it.
Ceviche
Ceviche is typically made from fresh raw fish cured in fresh citrus juices, most commonly lemon or lime, and spiced with ají, chili peppers or other seasonings, including chopped onions, salt, and coriander and Clamato is often included as an ingredient in this dish but as the main ingredient in ceviche is fish, very few vegans will be worrying about other possible non vegan ingredients.
Recipe for Vegan ‘Clamato’
INGREDIENTS:
- Quart of tomato juice
- 2 tbsp of vegan oyster sauce or fish sauce
- 1 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp of celery salt
- A few shakes of hot sauce
Mix ingredients together and chill in the refrigerator.
If you like it, PIN IT!
Let’s Discuss!
We hope that this information is very helpful as you make your non vegan favorite vegan drinks vegan.
And, we’d love to hear from you! Do you have any questions? A favorite vegan clamato/Caesar recipe? Let us know in the comments below!
