Sparkling Tomato Lemonade with Tomato Simple Syrup
This Sparkling Tomato Lemonade uses a homemade tomato simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and both water and sparkling water to make a refreshing summer drink that's subtly sweet, a little savory, and incredibly delicious!
Servings 16
Calories 55kcal
Ingredients
For the Tomato Syrup: (Makes ~2 cups)
- 1 heaping cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- Additional equipment: fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag
For the Lemonade:
- 1 part Tomato syrup above (ex: 1 cup)
- 1 part lemon juice ex: 1 cup
- 2 parts water ex: 2 cups
- 2-4 parts unflavored sparkling water to taste (ex: 2-4 cups)
Instructions
- Make Tomato Puree: Add the tomatoes to a blender with the water. Blend on high for 30 to 60 seconds to form a tomato puree
- Tomato Syrup: Add the tomato puree and sugar to a small saucepan or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer; the liquid will initially foam up a lot, but just stir rapidly to reduce the foam and prevent any spills. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium and maintain a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup sit for 5 additional minutes, to infuse the syrup with even more flavor.
- Strain the Syrup: Set a fine mesh metal strainer over a heat-safe bowl. Pour the syrup into the strainer and let it drain naturally; do not use a spoon or spatula to push it through, or you will push pieces of tomato into the syrup. Once all of the liquid has strained through, discard the solids and place the syrup in the refrigerator to cool completely (mine took just under 1 hour). Transfer the syrup into an airtight jar; it will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- Make the Lemonade: (Note: see the recipe notes for a single serve portion!) Combine 1 part tomato syrup with 1 part lemon juice, 2 parts water, and 2 parts sparkling water. Mix well and sample; add more syrup, lemon, sparkling water, or regular water, if desired. I prefer to add more sparkling water so the lemonade is more like a flavored seltzer! Pour over ice and enjoy chilled.
Video
Notes
- Single Serve Lemonade: Combine 2 tablespoons of tomato syrup with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (about 1 small lemon), 1/4 cup water, and 1/4-1/2 cup seltzer. Serve over ice and enjoy!
- Make-Ahead Notes: You can make the tomato syrup up to 5 days in advance before serving for the best flavor, though it will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days. I would keep the syrup, lemon juice, and water separate until just before serving for the best flavor (and the most bubbles!)
- Make it Boozy: If you are 21+ you can also add vodka or gin to this lemonade to give it a boozy kick! I would start with half of the called-for water and add in 1.5 ounces (1 shot) per serving you are making. Add more water (or bubbles) to taste!
Nutrition
Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.03mg