Golden Tomato Martini

I recently had a delicious drink at one of my favorite restaurants, Sapor Cafe in Minneapolis, called the Crystal Mary.  It was martini style drink with some of the flavors of a bloody mary, but crysal clear.



It tasted like a salad in a glass with tomato consummé, 9 pepper house infused vodka, and classic martini flavor.  I loved it, which is funny because I hate bloody marys.  I think I dislike those though because of the tomato juice.  Clear tomato consummé on the other hand is just delicious! I decided that I needed to create my own version of the drink at home, and I have been making it the past couple weekends because I love it so much!

My Grandpa has been supplying me with the tastiest tomatoes this summer, and they make wonderful consummé perfect for the drink!  I added my own twists as well with basil and garlic stuffed olives (which are wonderful in simple dirty martinis as well). I will be making these as long as I continue to recieve home grown tomatoes this summer and into fall!  Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!  Cheers!

Golden Tomato Martini
Makes one

a few ice cubes
3/4 cup tomato basil consummé*
4 oz habanero, or other hot pepper infused vodka*
a splash of dry vermouth
2 garlic stuffed olives
fresh basil leaves

To make the drink, in a shaker, combine the ice, consummé, vodka, vermouth, and stir with chopstick until cold.  Pour through a strainer into a chilled martini glass and garnish with the olives and basil leaves. 

Tomato Basil Consummé

2 medium tomatoes
a few fresh basil leaves

Line a fine meshed strainer with a few layers (about 6 at least) cheesecloth.  Blend the tomatoes and basil leaves together in a blender until smooth, and pour into the cheesecloth.  Let drain until all the clear liquid has gone through the cloth.  You should have 3/4 cup consummé.  Discard solids or use for something else. 

*I make my own pepper infused vodka but placing a few clean habaneros, cut in half, in a bottle of vodka.  If you don't have pepper infused vodka or don't want to go through the trouble of infusing, use regular vodka in the drink and add a dash of hot sauce.