Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Gather all your ingredients. Fresh tomato juice is key here, so if you can, use ripe tomatoes and blend them until smooth, then strain to get a clear juice. If you're short on time, store-bought tomato juice works too.

Step 2: Muddle the Ingredients

In a cocktail shaker, add a few fresh basil leaves. Use a muddler to gently crush them, releasing their fragrant oils. This adds a lovely herbal note to your cocktail.

Step 3: Shake It Up

Add the vodka, fresh tomato juice, dry vermouth, fresh lemon juice, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. This helps chill the cocktail while mixing the flavors together.

Step 4: Strain and Serve

Using a fine mesh strainer, pour the mixture into a chilled martini glass. This will give you a smooth texture without any bits of basil or ice.

Step 5: Garnish

Finish off your Spicy Tomato Martini with a garnish of a cherry tomato on a skewer and a basil leaf for an elegant touch.

Step 6: Enjoy

Let me show you how I make the most of this cocktail! Sip it slowly to enjoy the burst of flavors. It's fantastic on its own or paired with light appetizers like bruschetta or seafood dishes.

Variations

Bloody Mary Twist: Substitute the vodka for gin and add celery salt for a more traditional Bloody Mary experience.

Vegan Option: This recipe is naturally vegan, so everyone can enjoy it without any adjustments!

Gluten-Free Option: Ensure that your vodka and vermouth are gluten-free.