Fermented Tomatini Cocktail

Fermented Tomatini Cocktail

Looking for a creative way to use the flavourful brine left over from your fermented cherry tomatoes? Meet the Fermented Tomatini—a bright, savoury cocktail with juicy tomato flavour, fresh basil, plenty of lemon, and a salty, tangy finish.

This recipe uses both the tomatoes and brine from our Fermented Cherry Tomato Bombs, giving every sip a deliciously fermented twist.

What Does a Fermented Tomatini Taste Like?

Think of it as a fresh, garden-inspired take on a dirty martini. The fermented tomato brine adds savoury depth, while equal parts brine and lemon juice make the cocktail bright and citrus-forward. Basil and black pepper bring everything together.

Fermented Tomatini Recipe

Makes 1 cocktail

Tools:

• Cocktail Shaker

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka (or substitute a non-alcoholic spirit for a mocktail)

• 1 oz brine from Fermented Cherry Tomato Bombs

• 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1–2 fermented cherry tomatoes

• 2–3 fresh basil leaves

• Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

• Ice

• Fermented cherry tomato and fresh basil, for garnish

Directions

1. Place one or two fermented cherry tomatoes and the basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, brine and lemon juice. Gently muddle to release the flavours (we like to use the Pickle Packer for that).

2. Add plenty of ice.

3. Shake well until thoroughly chilled.

4. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.

5. Garnish with a fermented cherry tomato and a fresh basil leaf. Sprinkle some fresh ground black pepper on top.

A Cocktail Worth Saving Your Brine For

Fermentation brine is packed with tangy, savoury flavour, so don’t pour it down the drain when the tomatoes are gone! Here, it takes the place of the olive brine traditionally used in a dirty martini and gives the cocktail a fresh tomato-and-basil character.

Make the Fermented Cherry Tomatoes First

You’ll need a batch of fermented tomatoes and their brine to make this cocktail. Follow our easy Fermented Cherry Tomato Bombs recipe, made with cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, and a simple saltwater brine.

Ready to start fermenting? Our Basic Vegetable Fermentation Set helps keep produce submerged while allowing fermentation gas to escape—right in a Mason jar.

Enjoy!