One screams class, haute couture, and prep time, the other… bacon goodness. Tomato cocktails are a favorite of mine on a hot summer day, I hope you enjoy these drinks.
ROASTED HEIRLOOM TOMATO BLOODY MARY
- 1 pound red(ish) heirloom tomatoes, cut into roughly 1″ square pieces
- 1 small-medium sweet onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño chili, stemmed and quartered (and seeded if you don’t want it hot)
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces tomato water*
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon horseradish (1 teaspoon if you’re using fresh)
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- fresh lime juice
Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Spread the tomatoes, onions, and chili in a non-reactive roasting pan in one layer and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the vodka, tomato water, and horseradish to the pan and roast for another 15 minutes, until everything is good and bubbly. Remove from oven and cool.
Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender, add the cilantro, season with salt, pepper, and lime juice, and purée until smooth. Refrigerate until cold, at least a few hours or overnight. Yields two cups.
To mix the drink, pour two ounces of vodka into a shaker filled with ice. Add a splash of fresh lime juice, two teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of celery salt, and hot sauce to taste, and top with heirloom tomato mix. Shake like crazy and pour into a salt-rimmed Collins glass half full of ice. Garnish with a fresh heirloom cherry tomato.
*To make tomato water, roughly chop your tomatoes and place them in a sieve set over a bowl and let drain for two hours, or until the tomatoes stop dripping.
THE BACON CAESAR
Oh, the mighty Caesar. This is a Canadian drink that has become synonymous with Sunday brunch and hangovers. The Caesar is best served spicy. Typical garnish is lime and celery, however pickled beans have become quite popular.
THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY A CAESAR AT A RESTAURANT IS TO ORDER A SIDE OF BACON WITH IT.
It’s also nice with shrimp. This recipe calls for a special brand of potato vodka called Bakon that boasts a savory bacon flavor.
- 1½ oz. Bakon Vodka in a pint glass filled with ice.
- Fill glass with Clamato juice
- 1 dash each of celery salt and ground black pepper
- 2-4 dashes each of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco
- 1/8 tsp. horseradish
Rim a chilled pint glass with celery salt or coarse salt. Make enough to have two 🙂
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Since I’m on the tomato subject here are some BONUS summertime tomato cocktail recipes
BLOODY NINJA
Sake replacing vodka in a bloody mary
BLOODY PIRATE
Dark rum replacing vodka in a bloody mary
BEER AND CLAM
- 1 lager beer
- 2-3 oz. Clamato juice
- Seriously good times