Clamato Juice: What It Is, What's in It, and How to Use It

Clamato juice is a tomato-and-clam drink used in Caesars, Micheladas and other savory drinks. It's thinner than regular tomato juice, with a salty, slightly sweet flavor and a little brininess from the clam broth. And yes, it really does contain clams.

It also works really well with Stu's. Clamato brings the juice; Stu's brings the Worcestershire, pickle brine, celery salt and a balanced spice blend. If someone at your table prefers regular tomato juice, use that in their glass. You don't need a separate bottle of Bloody Mary mix for each person.

Jump to the Stu's and Clamato recipe   |   Make a homemade version

What is Clamato juice?

Clamato is a bottled tomato cocktail flavored with clam broth, sweetener and seasonings. The name combines clam and tomato. You can drink it cold on its own or use it as the base for a mixed drink.

A Bloody Caesar uses Clamato and vodka. A Michelada uses beer, and many versions include Clamato. A traditional Bloody Mary uses regular tomato juice instead.

Where Clamato comes from

Mott's introduced Clamato in 1966, inspired by the flavors of Manhattan clam chowder. It's now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper. Three years after its launch, a bartender in Calgary used it to create the Caesar, which became Canada's signature cocktail. In Mexico and across the U.S., Clamato became a key ingredient in the michelada, so it's a Mexican favorite even though it started as an American brand.

That distinction matters when you're buying ingredients. Clamato is the juice base. Stu's is a liquid seasoning that you add to it. They go in the same glass.

What does Clamato taste like?

Mostly tomato, salt and a little sweetness, with a savory clam-broth flavor underneath. It's usually lighter in texture than straight tomato juice. The clam flavor is noticeable, but it doesn't taste like a glass of seafood stock.

If regular tomato juice feels too thick in a cocktail, Clamato is worth trying. If you prefer a fuller tomato flavor, stick with tomato juice. You can season either one with Stu's.

Clamato juice ingredients

The main components of Clamato Original are reconstituted tomato juice, clam broth, high-fructose corn syrup, salt and flavorings. The U.S. formula also includes MSG and ascorbic acid. Ingredients vary by flavor and market, so check the bottle you're using for the complete list.

• Tomato juice: the base of the drink.
• Clam broth: gives it the briny flavor that separates it from plain tomato juice.
• Sweetener: adds sweetness alongside the tomato.
• Salt and seasonings: give it a head start before you add anything else.

Allergy note: Clamato contains clams. Don't serve it to someone with a clam allergy. Our Worcestershire contains anchovy, so check both labels when making drinks for guests with seafood allergies.

Clamato vs. tomato juice vs. Bloody Mary mix

That last part is why I like a liquid seasoning. Put Clamato and regular tomato juice on the table with one bottle of Stu's. Everyone gets the drink they want, and you're not buying two different seasoned mixes.

Clamato Bloody Mary with Stu's (Bloody Caesar)

This is the straightforward version: Clamato, Stu's, vodka and ice. Stu's supplies the Worcestershire, pickle brine and spices, so you don't need to measure those out separately.

Makes: 1 drink   Prep: 5 minutes   Total: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 oz chilled Clamato Original
• 1 oz Stu's Classic Bloody Mary seasoning
• 1.5 oz vodka
• Ice
• Celery stalk or pickle spear, optional
• Celery salt for the rim, optional

Directions

1. If you'd like a salted rim, wet half the rim of a tall glass with a little water and dip it in celery salt.
2. Shake the Stu's bottle, then add ice to the glass. Pour in the vodka, Stu's and Clamato.
3. Stir well and taste. Add a splash more Clamato if you want it lighter, or a little more Stu's for more seasoning.
4. Add a celery stalk or pickle spear if you like, and serve.

Using tomato juice? Swap it in for the Clamato. Start with the same amounts and adjust to taste.

Skipping the vodka? Leave it out and add a little more Clamato if needed. The seasoning stays the same.

Clamato and Stu's both contain salt. Taste the drink before adding more, and leave the rim unsalted if you prefer.

Get Stu's for this recipe

Other drinks you can make with Clamato

Clamato Michelada

The Clamato michelada is a favorite beer cocktail in Mexico. Here's the quick version with Stu's:

1. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a pint glass and dip it in chili-lime seasoning like Tajín or the Key Lime Rimmer.
2. Fill the glass with ice. Add ½ oz Stu's, 4 oz Clamato and the juice of half a lime.
3. Top with a cold Mexican lager and stir gently.

There are plenty of regional versions, including some without tomato or clam juice. Our michelada recipe covers the classic, and here's a guide to the best beer for micheladas.

Non-alcoholic Caesar

Use Clamato and Stu's over ice without the vodka. Keep the glass cold, taste before adding salt, and add a pickle or celery stalk. If you prefer tomato juice, our Virgin Mary recipe is another option.

A Bloody Mary bar with both juices

You don't have to decide which juice everyone will drink. Set out both, a bottle of Stu's, vodka, ice and a few garnishes. Guests can choose Clamato or tomato juice and add as much seasoning as they like. Here's our Bloody Mary bar setup if you're serving a group.

Homemade Clamato-style juice

You can also make a tomato-and-clam juice blend at home. It won't taste exactly like the bottled brand, but you can adjust the amount of clam juice, salt and heat. This is a juice recipe, not the Stu's Caesar recipe above.

Makes: about 3 2/3 cups   Prep: 5 minutes   Chill: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 3 cups tomato juice
• 1/2 cup bottled clam juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• Up to 1/2 teaspoon celery salt, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Stir the tomato juice, clam juice, lime juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce and pepper together in a pitcher.
2. Taste before adding the celery salt. Bottled tomato juice and clam juice may already contain plenty.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Stir again before serving.

Want less clam flavor? Start with 1/4 cup clam juice and add more after tasting. Keep the finished mixture refrigerated and follow the storage instructions on your juice bottles. This recipe doesn't make it shelf-stable.

Is Clamato juice healthy?

The most useful place to start is the serving size and nutrition label. Clamato Original's published U.S. nutrition information lists the following for 8 fl oz:

• 60 calories
• 800 mg sodium
• 12 g carbohydrate
• 11 g sugar
• 1 g protein

Check your own bottle because flavors, package labels and formulas can differ. The 4 to 5 oz of Clamato in the Caesar recipe above contributes about half to two-thirds of those amounts, before the Stu's, vodka or rim salt.

It contains tomato juice, but that doesn't make it a low-sodium drink. If you're keeping track of sodium or sugar, count the whole drink, including the seasoning. Adding Stu's changes the flavor; it doesn't remove anything already in the Clamato.

Clamato juice questions

Does Clamato have real clam juice?

Yes. Clam broth is part of the product, not just a name or a flavor suggestion. It isn't vegetarian or vegan.

Who makes Clamato?

Clamato was introduced by Mott's in 1966. The brand is now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper.

Is Clamato a Mexican drink?

It started as an American brand, but it's a staple in Mexico, where it's a key michelada ingredient. In Canada, it's the base of the Caesar.

What alcohol goes with Clamato?

Vodka for a Caesar, a Mexican lager for a michelada, or tequila for a Clamato version of a Bloody Maria. Stu's seasons all three.

Does Clamato contain alcohol?

Clamato Original tomato cocktail is non-alcoholic. Canned beer-and-Clamato drinks are different products, so read the label if you're buying a premixed drink.

Can you use Clamato in a Bloody Mary?

Yes. A vodka drink made with Clamato is generally called a Bloody Caesar. If you're used to calling it a Clamato Bloody Mary, you're talking about the same basic idea. Stu's works with either Clamato or regular tomato juice.

Do you still add seasoning to Clamato?

You can. Clamato already has seasoning, but Stu's adds Worcestershire, pickle brine, celery salt and a balanced spice blend. Start with 1 oz Stu's to 4 to 5 oz Clamato, then adjust to your taste.

Does Clamato need to be refrigerated?

Follow the instructions on the bottle, including refrigeration after opening. An opened bottle, a homemade juice blend and a mixed cocktail don't necessarily have the same storage life.

What's a substitute for Clamato?

Tomato juice mixed with a little bottled clam juice is the closest starting point. Use the homemade recipe above if you want to season it yourself. Plain tomato juice also works in a cocktail with Stu's, but it won't have the clam flavor.

One bottle for both sides of the table

Some people want Clamato. Some want regular tomato juice. That's a preference, not a problem to solve by buying a different Bloody Mary mix for everybody.

Keep the juice separate from the seasoning. Use Stu's with either one, pour the drinks how people like them, and get back to hanging out.

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By Scott Bishop, Stu's Kitchen. Updated September 29, 2026.