Across the country, Canadians hailed the Caesar cocktail Thursday.

While it is believed 360 million Caesars are made each year, (May 16), is the unofficial kick-off to summer and the Canadian-made drink was given a spicy twist at Craft Corner Kitchen in the South Okanagan.

Chef Jon Cote, in Penticton, stacked up some fun garnishes to celebrate the day. Pouring a gin, basil and watermelon caesar he topped the cocktail off with two pork ribs, kale chimichurri, chicken and waffle, deep friend cheese curds and a beet cured deviled egg. The whole thing was then drizzled with maple gastrique.

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National Caesar Day fun facts:

• The celebration day falls on the Thursday before the May long weekend
• ItB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s believed that the first Caesar was created by Walter Chell at the Calgary Inn
• In 2010, the Caesar ws named CanadaB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s National Cocktail by parliament
• The truly Canadian drink is celebrating its 50th birthday this year
• Vodka can be replaced with gin, tequila or rum