On the surface, tomato juice and clam broth mixed together doesn't sound all that appetizing. Clam juice mixed with anything, in fact, sounds like it might not go well. But clamato is the exception. What exactly is clamato juice, anyway? Let's take a closer look at this weird drink.
What is Clamato?
Clamato is a blend of tomato juice and clam broth, generally with some spices added in, too. There is an official drink made of "reconstituted tomato juice concentrate and sugar, which is flavored with spices, dried clam broth and MSG," according to Wikipedia, but it's also something that exists outside of that drink from Mott's clamato brand.
Wikipedia says a chemist and another employee from the Duffy-Mott company in Hamlin, New York, came up with the idea for the company because they wanted to make "a Manhattan clam chowder style cocktail." (Weird choice, but OK.)
What is Clamato Used to Make?
When it comes to clamato being used in drinks, "You'll often see it combined with beer in Mexico, and it's hugely popular in Canada, where this mixer is used as the main ingredient in the bloody Caesar cocktail, a briny version of the Bloody Mary," the Kitchn reports. It is used in beer cocktails like the michelada and in some Bloody Mary drinks.
What's in Commercial Clamato Drinks?
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According to the 8 fl oz Clamato Original Tomato Cocktail nutrition facts and product ingredient list on Food4Less, the juice contains "water, tomato concentrate, high fructose corn syrup, monosodium glutamate, salt, citric acid, spices, onion and garlic powder, ascorbic acid (to maintain color), dried clam broth, vinegar, natural flavors, red 40, and red chili pepper." It contains no calcium or iron, 12g total carbohydrates, and doesn't seem to have Vitamin A or Vitamin C, sadly.
So, are you ready to try some clamato? Or are you just gonna stick with sauces you already know and trust for drinks and dishes, like Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce?
