Vancouver's Favorite Cocktail, Elevated
The Caesar is Canada's cocktail. Born in Calgary, perfected in Vancouver, and endlessly debated at every backyard gathering from Burnaby to the North Shore. But here's the thing — a Caesar is only as good as its garnish. And if you're still using a sad celery stick, it's time to upgrade.
Enter: Proper Pickled Beans. Chef Donya's handcrafted pickled green beans are crisp, tangy, and aromatic — made with organic beans, Persian shallots, and fragrant herbs in small batches right here in Vancouver. They're the Caesar garnish you didn't know you needed, and once you try it, you'll never go back.
The Proper Vancouver Caesar Recipe
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz vodka (or gin for a botanical twist)
- 4 oz Clamato juice
- 1 tsp prepared horseradish
- 3–4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2–3 dashes hot sauce (Tabasco or your favorite BC hot sauce)
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- Celery salt, for the rim
- Ice
- 1–2 Proper Pickled Beans — the star of the show
- Optional: lemon or lime wedge
Instructions
- Rim your glass. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a tall glass, then dip it in celery salt. Fill with ice.
- Build the Caesar. Add vodka, Clamato, horseradish, Worcestershire, and hot sauce directly into the glass. Stir well.
- Season. Add a few cracks of black pepper and taste — adjust heat and seasoning to your liking.
- Garnish with Proper Pickled Beans. Stand 1–2 beans upright in the glass. Their tangy brine will slowly infuse into the drink as you sip, adding layers of flavour with every sip.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the best Caesar you've ever had.
Why Pickled Beans Make the Best Caesar Garnish
The classic celery stick is fine — but it's neutral. Proper Pickled Beans bring something the celery never could: a bright, tangy, herbaceous punch that complements the savoury depth of a Caesar perfectly. The Persian shallots and herbs in the brine add a subtle aromatic quality that makes each sip more interesting than the last.
Plus, they're a conversation piece. Guests will ask where you got them. (Tell them Chef Donya made them in Vancouver.)
Beyond the Caesar: More Ways to Use Pickled Beans
Proper Pickled Beans aren't just for cocktails. Try them:
- On a charcuterie or cheese board for a crunchy, tangy contrast
- Chopped into a potato salad or grain bowl
- Alongside grilled salmon or BBQ ribs
- Straight from the jar as a snack (no judgment)
Get Your Proper Pickled Beans
Handcrafted in Vancouver, BC by Chef Donya using organic green beans, Persian shallots, and traditional preserving techniques. Small batch. No shortcuts. No artificial preservatives.