What is a vegan substitute for Clamato?

Clamato is a popular drink made from a blend of tomato juice and clam broth. However, it is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians due to the clam broth. Thankfully, there are several tasty vegan substitutes that can be used in place of Clamato in cocktails, micheladas, and other recipes.

What is Clamato?

Clamato is a trademarked brand name owned by Mott’s for a drink consisting of tomato juice and clam broth. It was invented in Canada in the 1960s and has become a popular mixer, especially for cocktails like the Caesar, which is similar to a Bloody Mary but made with Clamato instead of tomato juice.

The key ingredients in Clamato are:

• Tomato juice
• Clam broth
• Salt
• Spices

Some versions also contain additional ingredients like vinegar, onion, celery seed, seaweed, and horseradish. The combination of tomato juice and briny, fishy clam broth gives Clamato its distinctly savory umami flavor profile.

Why Find a Vegan Substitute?

There are a few reasons why someone may want to find a vegan and vegetarian substitute for Clamato:

• They follow a vegan or vegetarian diet – clam broth is non-vegan since it comes from animals.
• They have an allergy or sensitivity to shellfish.
• They don’t like or want the taste of clams.
• They wish to make a drink recipe accessible to more people by providing a vegan/vegetarian option.

Thankfully there are many tasty vegan ingredients that can mimic the savory flavor of Clamato in cocktails and recipes.

Vegan Clamato Substitutes

Here are some popular vegan substitutes for Clamato:

Vegetable Juice Blends

Mixing vegetable juices is an easy way to replicate the flavor profile of Clamato. Tomato juice can be combined with vegetable juices like celery, carrot, beet, spinach or seaweed juices. Adding a dash of soy sauce or vegan Worcestershire sauce also enhances savory umami notes.

Spiced Tomato Juice

For a quick substitution, spike plain tomato juice with savory seasonings. Add a dash of vegan-friendly hot sauce, horseradish, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, black pepper, vegan Worcestershire sauce and seaweed. Adjust amounts to taste.

Seaweed

Soaking kombu, wakame or other seaweed in water makes a mineral-rich vegan clam broth substitute. Strain and add the seaweed broth to tomato juice for an easy clam-flavored drink.

Mushroom Broth

Sauté mushrooms like shiitake, cremini or oyster mushrooms and then simmer in vegetable broth to extract their rich, savory umami flavor. Mix the strained mushroom broth with tomato juice for a Clamato dupe.

Vegetable Broth

A basic vegetable broth made from onions, carrots, celery and mushrooms can substitute for clam broth when blended with tomato juice. Add seaweed or kelp to infuse it with extra ocean-like flavors.

Soy Sauce

The salty umami taste of soy sauce can closely mimic flavors found in clam broth. Add a splash or two of soy sauce to tomato juice for an easy fix. Tamari and coconut aminos work too.

Tips for Recreating the Clamato Flavor

Here are some additional tips for recreating the flavor of Clamato with vegan ingredients:

• Add savory seasonings like celery salt, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, Old Bay seasoning or vegan Worcestershire sauce.
• Use tomato juice or vegetable juice blends that contain carrot, celery or beet juice for extra flavor complexity.
• Stir in a splash of tangy vinegar like apple cider or rice vinegar.
• Include umami-rich ingredients like sautéed mushrooms, miso paste, tomato paste or nutritional yeast.
• Simmer savory aromatics like onions, garlic, bay leaves or peppercorns in broths and then strain out before using.
• opt for seaweed varieties like kombu, wakame or dulse which have an ocean-like flavor.

Vegan Substitutes for Popular Clamato Drinks

Here are some ideas for recreating popular Clamato cocktail recipes using vegan ingredients:

Vegan Caesar

• Tomato juice
• Vegetable broth
• Soy sauce or Braggs liquid aminos
• Vegan Worcestershire sauce
• Hot sauce
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Seaweed
• Pepper

Vegan Michelada

• Tomato juice
• Vegetable broth
• Soy sauce
• Lime juice
• Hot sauce like Cholula
• Seaweed
• Worschteshire sauce
• Pepper

Vegan Bloody Mary

• Spicy tomato juice
• Vegetable broth
• Soy sauce
• Lemon juice
• Hot sauce
• Horseradish
• Pepper
• Celery salt
• Seaweed

The vegan substitutes can be adjusted to taste and garnished with extra ingredients like olives, lemon wedges, celery stalks etc. Experiment to create your own signature vegan Clamato drink!

Best Vegan Clamato Substitute Products

There are also some pre-made products that are designed to mimic Clamato for vegans. Here are some of the most popular options:

Product	Description
Tofurky Vegetarian Clamless Chowder	Blend of vegetables, miso, nutritional yeast and spices create a savory, vegan “clam” broth
Edward & Sons Not-Chos	Gluten-free broth made from soy sauce, garlic, chili pepper and other natural flavors
Fusion Clamless Vegan Fish Sauce	Thai-style seasoning contains seaweed, mushroom extract and natural flavors
PacFood Vegan Clam Base	Powdered broth mix contains nutritional yeast and seaweed

These products can simply be blended with tomato juice for an easy Clamato duplicate. They provide that savory, briny flavor profile without using any animal products.

Clamato Substitute Recipes

Here are some full recipes for vegan Clamato substitutes that can be used to make classic cocktails and other drinks:

Vegan Clamato Juice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups tomato juice
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or Braggs liquid aminos
• 1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1⁄2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1⁄4 tsp horseradish (optional)
• Seaweed snacks, crumbled

Instructions:

1. In a bowl or pitcher, combine tomato juice, vegetable broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lime juice, Old Bay and horseradish if using. Stir well until fully blended.
2. Add crumbled seaweed snacks and stir to combine. Let flavors meld for 15-30 minutes before using if possible.
3. Use in vegan Caesar, Bloody Mary or Michelada recipes.

DIY Vegan Clam Broth

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 8 cups water
• 1 cup dried wakame seaweed pieces
• 3 tbsp soy sauce or Braggs liquid aminos
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions:

1. In a pot over medium heat, sauté the onion, carrots and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add water, soy sauce, seaweed and bay leaves. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, partially covered.
4. Remove bay leaves. Strain broth through a mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
5. Cool broth completely before using or storing. Keeps refrigerated for up to 4 days.
6. Mix with tomato juice as needed for a vegan Clamato substitute.

Conclusion

Clamato has a uniquely savory flavor, but there are many delicious vegan-friendly options for recreating that taste. Vegetable broths infused with seaweed, soy sauce and savory seasonings do an excellent job of mimicking the briny profile of clam broth. Blended with tomato juice, these substitutions are perfect for making vegan Caesars, micheladas, Bloody Marys and more. With the right combo of ingredients, you can craft a flavorful clam-free Clamato dupe that even non-vegans will enjoy!