Beverages

Homemade French Tomato Juice

Name: Homemade French Tomato Juice
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 kg Ripe Red Tomatoes; 500 ml Cold Water; 0.5 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt; 0.25 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper; 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice; 4 Celery Stalk (for garnish)

20 min4 servingsEasy95 cal

A vibrant and refreshing classic, this homemade French Tomato Juice (Jus de tomate) offers a pure taste of ripe summer tomatoes. Simple to prepare, it's a delightful beverage on its own or as a wholesome base for cocktails. Jus de tomate, or tomato juice, is a ubiquitous beverage worldwide, but in France, it is often enjoyed as a simple, elegant apéritif or a healthy morning drink. It embodies a commitment to fresh, natural ingredients, reflecting French culinary philosophy even in its simplest forms. Its clean flavor profile makes it a versatile staple in homes and cafés.

gluten-freevegetarianhealthyFrenchBeverage

Instructions

1
Wash the tomatoes thoroughly. Score a small "X" on the bottom of each tomato.
2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully immerse the scored tomatoes in the boiling water for 30-60 seconds, or until the skin begins to peel back from the "X".
3
Immediately transfer the blanched tomatoes to an ice bath (a bowl of cold water with ice) to stop the cooking process.
4
Once cooled, peel the skins from the tomatoes. Remove the core and roughly chop the peeled tomatoes.
5
Place the chopped tomatoes in a blender with 250ml of the cold water. Blend until smooth. Add more water gradually if needed to reach desired consistency.
6
Pass the blended tomato mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth-lined colander into a large bowl, pressing with a spoon or spatula to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
7
Stir in the fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
8
Chill the tomato juice thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
9
Serve cold, optionally garnished with a celery stalk.

Chef's Tips

•**Storage:** Store freshly made tomato juice in an airtight container or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
•**Substitutions:** For a richer flavor, you can roast the tomatoes briefly before peeling and blending. If you prefer a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
•**Fun Fact:** While often associated with breakfast or cocktails like the Bloody Mary, tomato juice was first commercially produced in 1917 as a substitute for orange juice when a hotel in French Lick, Indiana, ran out of oranges.
•**Consistency:** For a thicker juice, use less water during blending. For a thinner, more refined consistency, consider passing it through the sieve twice.