Recipe

The Tom and Ginger

Your Best End of Summer Cocktail Contest Finalist!

Recipe
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by Sarah Shatz

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by lastnightsdinner

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This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best End of Summer Cocktail
A&M's Testing Notes: This drink was very controversial among the summer house group. Some took one whiff and refused to taste it. Others cautiously sipped and frowned. But three of us -- my brother-in-law, Scott;...
This drink was very controversial among the summer house group. Some took one whiff and refused to taste it. Others cautiously sipped and frowned. But three of us -- my brother-in-law, Scott; our photographer, Sarah; and me -- found it thrilling, like a clear, boozy gazpacho in a glass. It's concentrated and assertive, and with each taste you get lashings of vodka, lime, cilantro, tomato and ginger. I'd love to serve it in tiny, chilled glasses with spicy cheese straws, or with crudo. Scott recommended carnitas, and I'd happily go there, too. - Amanda & Merrill

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Chef
lastnightsdinner's Notes: I made a pico de gallo-esque relish for a dinner with friends recently, and was left with a quantity of intensely flavorful juice from the heirloom tomatoes and aromatics I used that I just...
I made a pico de gallo-esque relish for a dinner with friends recently, and was left with a quantity of intensely flavorful juice from the heirloom tomatoes and aromatics I used that I just couldn't justify tossing down the drain. So in thinking of ways to repurpose that flavorful elixir, I came up with this drink - it's a little bit like a bloody mary, but all grown up and dressed for dinner, or at least cocktail hour. - lastnightsdinner

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Serves 1

Spicy Heirloom Tomato Juice:

2 cups very ripe tomatoes, preferably heirloom, chopped Ask a question about this ingredient

1 teaspoon grated fresh garlic Ask a question about this ingredient

1 teaspoon slivered fresh chile pepper (I used serrano) Ask a question about this ingredient

2 tablespoons minced red onion Ask a question about this ingredient

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro Ask a question about this ingredient

1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice Ask a question about this ingredient

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss to incorporate.
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Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours.
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Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing gently.
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Discard solids or reserve for another use.
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Tom and Ginger:

2 ounces vodka Ask a question about this ingredient

3/4 ounces Spicy Heirloom Tomato Juice Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 ounce bianco vermouth Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice Ask a question about this ingredient

1 teaspoon Canton ginger liqueur Ask a question about this ingredient

2 dashes lemon bitters Ask a question about this ingredient

(optional) cherry, grape or pear tomato half, for garnish Ask a question about this ingredient

Pour all ingredients over ice, shake, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Serve with garnish if desired.
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6 Comments on The Tom and Ginger

lastnightsdinner added 11 months ago

Argh! Formatting issue. Let's try this again.

For 60 ounces you'll need: 24 oz. vodka / 9 oz. spicy tomato water / 3 oz. vermouth / 3 oz. lime juice / 2 oz. Canton / 24 dashes lemon bitters / 20 oz. water. For 90 ounces you'll need: 36 oz. vodka / 14 oz. spicy tomato water / 4 oz. vermouth / 4 oz. lime juice / 3 oz. Canton / 36 dashes lemon / 30 oz. water. And see my previous comment about why the water should be added to the mix. Cheers!

pattyrat added 11 months ago

Does this convert well to large quantities? Could you make them by the pitcher?

lastnightsdinner added 11 months ago

Actually, you can and I have! I'm at work right now but I'll see if I can dig up my notes from my large batch recipe, and I'll post them here.

lastnightsdinner added 11 months ago

Found 'em! Just a note that the amounts below contain added water, which is typically added to large-batch cocktails to mimic the dilution you'd get from shaking individual servings over ice. You can mix these without the water and then shake over ice to order, but if you don't add some sort of water either straight or by shaking, the drink will be way too potent, and not as pleasant to drink.

For 60 ounces you'll need:

24 oz. vodka
9 oz. spicy tomato water
3 oz. vermouth
3 oz. lime juice
2 oz. Canton
24 dashes lemon bitters
20 oz. water

And for 90 ounces:

36 oz. vodka
14 oz. spicy tomato water
4 oz. vermouth
4 oz. lime
3 oz. Canton
36 dashes lemon
30 oz. water

Cheers!

gingerroot added 12 months ago

I've somehow missed this until now and it sounds like my kind of cocktail! Looking forward to heirlooms at the Farmer's market and then I will definitely be making myself one.

lastnightsdinner added 11 months ago

Thanks! It's definitely unconventional, but I served it to a lot of folks last summer and they all seemed to enjoy it! Definitely wait for great field tomatoes to come into season - it makes all the difference :)