Tomato-Watermelon Vodka Fresca

Williams-Sonoma issued the challenge: create a new spin for a brunch cocktail using juiced tomatoes. Well, I LOVE tomatoes…but I’ve never really enjoyed drinking tomato juice in any form. It’s probably because my mind immediately goes to jarred clamato like a South Park spoof. Sorry Bloody Mary lovers, I seriously dislike what you describe as a complex and spicy stew that gets you drunk. But at the height of tomato season, I developed a cocktail that borrows the essence of the classic. It took some experimentation to come up with a cocktail that I’ll be making every time tomato season hits. This drink is sublime.

Skip the bottles and jars and hit the market for the fresh mix of juices needed here.

Bloody Marys are all about the complex flavor blend of sour, salty, spicy and savory. Tomatoes are a great conductor of different flavors but the key is to balance everything. First, to bump up the missing sweet element, I chose to go half and half with tomato juice and watermelon juice, which is another late summer fruit. For sour there’s a bit of lime juice balanced with a pinch of salt. Then, avoid killing the refreshing quality with too much spicy like I did when I made my first (undrinkable) concoction. Instead of blending in hot peppers you can pre-infuse the juices with serranos, seeds removed, or add it to the drink when serving to have it slowly get spicier as you imbibe. The savory element is all for the garnish: a little cheese and tomato – maybe some shrimp or bacon if you’re feeling randy. Just say no to horseradish, Worcesterchire, celery salt, or anything that will cloud the freshness.

Now, it does take a few tools to make this straight from the market. You can use a juicer to extract the the watermelon and tomato juice – that’s probably the quick and easy way. However, if you are not armed with a juicer, use a blender or immersion blender to puree the fruit then strain through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. You’ll create a thin, translucent liquid that will keep for a day or two if sealed and refrigerated. Leave out the vodka and you the makings of an agua fresca with the first step of the recipe.

Juice or puree – here’s my tool for the task. When choosing a tool think about ease of use and clean-up time. But there’s always a trade-off. The immersion blender is easy but you also need a fine mesh sieve and cheesecloth.

I know it’s a complete bastardization of a Bloody Mary, but hey, no one is calling it that! What do you think? Will you drink up some summer with me?

Choose the right tomatoes for your beverage- cherry tomatoes are too acidic, but beefsteak, roma, grape, or sungold would all work well. Have a taste and choose your favorite.

The beauty of an immersion blender is making just as much as you need. Pull this cocktail together with just a little bit of leftover watermelon and tomato.

A little cheesecloth makes a big difference. Gather up and enjoy the remaining pulp as a snack.

Refreshing!  I just didn’t get drinking a stew.

Garnish with the savory. A little cheese goes a long way.

Just a touch of spicy. If you add the serrano peppers to the glass before pouring the cocktail it will slowly infuse into your drink and get spicier as you enjoy.

Here’s that sublime summer cocktail!

Print Recipe

Tomato-Watermelon Vodka Fresca

Servings: 1 cocktail

Author: Runaway Apricot

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Tomato Juice from fresh, low-acid tomatoes
• 1/4 cup Watermelon juice
• 2 Tbsp Premium Vodka 1 ounce (optional, but who are you kidding?)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Lime Juice from 1/2 lime
• Pinch of Salt
• 1 serrano pepper
• Cherry or Grape Tomato
• Watermelon
• Feta Cheese
• Fresh Mint

Instructions

• Make the tomato and watermelon juices separately by juicing fresh fruit and straining through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. Chill until ready to use.
• Prepare a Collins glass with ice. Slice serrano pepper in half lengthwise, carefully remove and discard ribs and seeds, and add to prepared glass. Measure tomato juice, watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice and salt into a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes and shake well. Pour drink over ice. Garnish with a skewer of tomato, watermelon, feta and mint.