Summer Fling Cocktail

Tomatoes in a cocktail? They aren't that common, other than the infamous Bloody Mary, which is more the anti-cocktail recovery cocktail. Here, fresh tomatoes come to the fore in a recipe I found in Imbibe. I adapted it a bit by omitting salt, switching from cherry to golden grape tomatoes and serving it on the rocks with soda instead of up. The result is refreshing and summery.

Summer Fling
Adapted from a recipe by Carlos Yturria, Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, San Francisco

1 1/2 oz. gin (I used Bluecoat American gin)
4-5 golden grape tomatoes
2 fresh basil leaves
Juice from half a lemon
1/4 oz. agave nectar
2 oz. club soda

In a shaker, muddle tomato, basil and lemon juice. Add other ingredients and ice. Shake until cold and strain into a rocks glass with ice (if having a few tomato seeds in your glass bothers you, fine strain with cheesecloth). Garnish with tomato and basil. and fine strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish.