Clamato Tomato Cocktail 64OZ

Clamato Tomato Cocktail 64OZ is a 64-ounce non-alcoholic tomato and clam broth mixer with 0% ABV, designed as a cocktail base. First created in 1966 by the Duffy-Mott company in Hamlin, New York, it remains the defining ingredient in the Bloody Caesar and Michelada, two cocktails that have no true substitute for its distinctive briny-tomato character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 0% (Non-Alcoholic Mixer)  |  Origin: Plano, Texas, USA  |  Style: Tomato & Clam Cocktail Mixer  |  Producer: Mott's LLP (Keurig Dr Pepper)

Production & Heritage

Clamato was born in 1966, reportedly inspired by the flavor profile of Manhattan clam chowder — a marriage of tomato sweetness and ocean brine. The recipe combines reconstituted tomato juice concentrate with dried clam broth, sugar, spices, and MSG to deliver its signature umami backbone. Now produced by Mott's LLP under the Keurig Dr Pepper umbrella (which acquired the brand in 2008), Clamato is manufactured at their facility in Plano, Texas. The 64-ounce format is the workhorse size for home bars and frequent entertainers who rely on it as a staple mixer.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe tomato leads immediately, followed by a subtle briny, almost sea-air quality from the clam broth. Faint peppery spice and a hint of celery-like herbaceousness round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is sweet and tomato-forward, quickly giving way to a pronounced umami depth at mid-palate. The dried clam broth asserts itself without tasting overtly fishy, creating a savory balance that plain tomato juice simply cannot replicate. A light peppery kick and earthy spice emerge toward the finish.

Finish: Medium length with lingering savory-salty character and residual tomato sweetness. The umami note persists, making it an effective flavor anchor in mixed drinks.

How to Drink Clamato

Clamato is purpose-built as a mixer rather than a standalone sipper; served chilled over ice it works on its own, but it truly shines as a cocktail foundation. Bloody Caesar: Canada's national cocktail pairs Clamato with vodka, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and celery salt — the clam broth gives it a savory depth that a standard Bloody Mary lacks. Michelada: Mixed with Mexican lager, lime juice, hot sauce, and a Tajín-rimmed glass, Clamato provides the tangy-umami base that defines this refreshing beer cocktail. Clamato Vampiro: Combined with tequila, citrus juices, and a splash of hot sauce, the tomato-clam foundation adds body and complexity to this popular Mexican cocktail.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar for Michelada and Bloody Caesar service
• Game-day entertaining where batch cocktails are needed in volume
• Brunch hosting with a build-your-own cocktail station
• Cooks looking for a savory, umami-rich base in recipes beyond cocktails

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clamato taste like? Clamato delivers a savory, tangy tomato flavor with a distinctive briny undertone from dried clam broth and a pronounced umami note amplified by MSG and spices.

How does Clamato compare to V8 Original? V8 Original is a blended vegetable juice with tomato as the primary ingredient and no seafood component, resulting in an earthier, more vegetal profile. Clamato's dried clam broth gives it a unique briny, umami-forward character that V8 cannot replicate, making Clamato the required choice for Bloody Caesars and Micheladas.

Is Clamato good for cocktails? Clamato is specifically formulated as a cocktail mixer, and its combination of tomato acidity, umami depth, and subtle brine makes it the standard base for the Bloody Caesar and Michelada.

Where is Clamato made? Clamato is produced by Mott's LLP at their facility in Plano, Texas, and is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper. The brand was originally created in 1966 by the Duffy-Mott company in Hamlin, New York.

What foods pair well with Clamato-based cocktails? Tacos al pastor and carne asada benefit from the briny-tomato contrast; raw oysters echo the clam broth's oceanic quality; spicy chicken wings are tempered by the drink's savory acidity; shrimp ceviche mirrors the seafood undertone; and a classic brunch spread of eggs Benedict works naturally alongside a Bloody Caesar.

What sizes does Clamato come in? Clamato is widely available in multiple formats including 32-ounce, 64-ounce, and single-serve bottles, with the 64-ounce size being the most practical for regular cocktail preparation.

Is Clamato worth the price? Clamato positions as an affordable, everyday mixer, and the 64-ounce format provides strong value for anyone who regularly makes Micheladas or Bloody Caesars — there is no widely available substitute that replicates its tomato-clam flavor profile.

Why Clamato?

No other mainstream mixer combines tomato juice with dried clam broth, giving Clamato a category of one in the cocktail world. Since 1966, it has been the non-negotiable ingredient in the Bloody Caesar — a cocktail consumed over 400 million times annually in Canada alone — and has become equally essential to the Michelada's rise in popularity across North America. The 64-ounce format is the practical choice for anyone who mixes these drinks with any regularity, eliminating the need for frequent restocking. For a home bar focused on savory cocktails, Clamato is not an optional upgrade; it is the foundation.