Fresh Tomato-Basil Martini

Saved 0 Save to profile 0 Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: 15 mins | Makes: 5 drinks Mixing vodka and jarred tomato juice for a Bloody Mary gives you a classic morning cocktail, but using fresh tomato juice and basil makes a fine evening martini to sip on. Crush up heirloom tomatoes and strain the juice. Muddle a basil leaf, add some vodka and a pinch of salt, and you've got a cocktail with the flavors of summer. 1 1/2 pounds heirloom tomatoes, cored and cut into large chunks 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed 10 ounces vodka 5 medium basil leaves Ice 5 lemon twists Place the tomatoes and measured salt in a medium bowl and smash with a potato masher until the skins separate from the flesh and seeds. Place the mixture in a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl. Using the potato masher, firmly press out as much juice as possible (be careful not to break the strainer). Switch to a rubber spatula and continue to press until only solids remain. Scrape the bottom of the strainer and discard the solids. You should have almost 1 cup of juice; set aside. Place 5 martini glasses in the freezer to chill. To make 1 drink, place 2 ounces of the vodka, 1 1/2 ounces of the tomato juice, and 1 basil leaf in a cocktail shaker. Muddle until the basil is just crushed and fragrant. Add ice to fill the shaker halfway and shake until the outside is frosted, about 30 seconds. Strain into 1 of the chilled glasses and garnish with a lemon twist and a pinch of salt. Repeat to make 4 more drinks. via Latest Recipes from CHOW.com http://chow.feedsportal.com/c/34948/f/645490/s/2ee8411d/l/0L0Schow0N0Crecipes0C30A770A0Efresh0Etomato0Ebasil0Emartini/story01.htm

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