Clear Tomato Martini – Chef Ken Oringer of Clio Restaurant – Boston, MA
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” ~ Hunter S. Thompson
Cocktails anyone? How about a Clear Tomato Martini courtesy of Chef Ken Oringer of Clio Restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts?
You might remember that I just posted this chef interview from our time spent with Chef Oringer on board Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam and during our Mediterranean cruise this past June. In addition to the interview, we ogled over his iPhone photos of foods and markets that he discovered in the Mediterranean.
* Chef Ken Oringer
While on board the ship as guest chef, Oringer conducted two cooking demonstrations in the Food & Wine’s Culinary Arts Center. One of these demos included a recipe for making clear tomato water that is literally the “essence of a fresh tomato”. He likes to serve this as a palate cleanser after cocktails and prior to dinner. However, you can also use this tomato water to create a Vodka Tomato Water Martini. With little coaxing, I did just that. Are you surprised?
Cooking demonstration with Chef Ken Oringer and his assistant Beth
Using the last of the season’s local tomatoes (just regular tomatoes, it is not necessary to use Heirloom tomatoes for this recipe), I prepared them according to the directions in this video of Chef Oringer.
I strained my tomato purée through very fine, damp cheesecloth and still had a small amount of tomato pulp. I strained it again to remove some of the residual color. If I had used more layers of cheesecloth and strained it one more time it would have been perfectly clear, but enough with the straining, it’s cocktail time. 😉
I added Ketel One vodka to taste and did a quick shake in the cocktail shaker. I did not use ice in the shaker because it would dilute the tomato water. You can chill the glass with ice and water if you prefer a cold martini glass.
This beautiful pinkish purée will become clear overnight
A little bit of chopped fennel and a few tomato pieces (or any other veggies you might like to use) and you have a festive drink that is an ideal companion to your Sunday brunch.
Clear tomato water can also be used to make an updated Bloody Mary (as Chef Oringer suggests). Accented with celery and seasoned with Tabasco or other favorites, this drink will be a fresh take on a traditional favorite and will impress your guests.
This is a great way to get your daily intake of veggies 😉
Cheers!
* Photograph courtesy of Clio Restaurant
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Clear Tomato Martini
Use a dampened cheesecloth or kitchen towel to strain the tomato purée and let it strain overnight in the refrigerator. I used approximately 1 1/2 pounds of ripe tomatoes. This yielded about 8 ounces of clear tomato water.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, quartered (or if using smaller ones, halved or whole)
Kosher salt
Chopped tomatoes, diced jicama, halved cherry tomatoes, and torn fresh basil, for garnish
Vodka, if desired
1. Wash and quarter tomatoes. Place in a food processor, add salt (quite a bit to extract the juices from the tomatoes) and purée until the mixture is pink and the consistency of a frappé.
2. Place the mixture in a colander that has been lined with several layers of dampened cheesecloth or a dampened kitchen towel and place over a bowl. Let the mixture strain overnight.
3. For a palate cleanser - Pour into martini glasses and garnish with fresh vegetables and basil. Alternatively, shake the clear tomato water with vodka to taste and pour into martini glasses and serve as a cocktail with garnishes, as desired.
Directions:
Chef Ken Oringer
Clio Restaurant
Boston, MA
I have strained tomato water before but never would have imagined using it as a mixture for cocktails. I’m intrigued and will try this as soon as I get my hands on some very ripe tomatoes.
I saw something similar from Jamie Oliver and can’t wait to try this out. So prefectly elegant!
I love this martini..it looks so delicate and lovely, although I’m sure it packs a wallop after two or three! The chef is pretty easy on the eyes too….and I’m sure packs a…never mind ;D
On that note..I’ve made summer soups using tomato water. Love the flavor.
What an interesting alternative to Bloody Mary.
This is a really nice summer martini. I’ve never thought of a tomato based martini and do like Bloody Mary’s. You’ll have to make me one when I visit you;)