The Tomato Cocktail - Red and Refreshing

The origins of this non-alcoholic cocktail are uncertain, but it is safe to say that it became popularized, when tinned (canned) tomato juice was made widely available. Some cocktail sources suggest that this drink was originally made from freshly squeezed tomatoes, but as anyone who has ever tried to juice a fresh tomato knows, the result is very watery, seedy and has little body or flavor. In making tinned tomato juice, the tomato is cooked down, to evaporate the water, intensifying the red color and the natural flavor, as well as thickening the juice. The natural consequence of the Tomato Cocktail, as you'll see from the recipe below, became the Bucket of Blood, the Bloody Mary, and the Red Snapper. Unlike the Virgin Mary Cocktail, this is not just a Bloody Mary without the ingredients. It's a cocktail that brings out natural tomato flavor, without overwhelming it with anything intense. In this picture, the Tomato Cocktail is being enjoyed with a piece of Taleggio, an Italian, washed-rind, ripened cheese.

The Tomato Cocktail

Into a mixing glass, place

some ice

3 oz Tinned/bottled tomato juice

1 tsp Freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 dash Worcestershire sauce

Grinding of black pepper.

Stir well, until the ingredients are well mixed and chilled, then strain into a cocktail (martini) glass. I suggest placing a thin slice of lemon or lime right on top, or some julienne of cucumber, if you prefer.

Resist the temptation to "kick it up a notch" (an expression I truly dislike), by adding Tabasco, cayenne, or even a soupcon (teeny bit) of salt. If you desire a more fully flavored Tomato Cocktail, use V8 juice, instead of tomato.

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Cinema Recommendation:

I'm not sure quite why, but I think I'd recommend this one:

Happenstance (2000). Audrey Tautou, Eric Savin. Directed by Laurent Firode. This comedy, starring France's favorite sweetheart, Audrey Tautou, is as cute as the Tomato Cocktail. Enjoy the fun and the, yes, happenstance(s) throughout this film, and enjoy it with a freshly made, chilled Tomato Cocktail at your side.