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We’re Calling It — The Tomatini Is The Drink Of The Summer

When the temps start climbing and the group chat starts buzzing, there’s nothing better than kicking back with your besties and a good cocktail. Personally, I’m a Blue Hawaiian loyalist; give me coconut rum and a splash of island vibes any day of the week. Summer’s all about refreshing sips and fruity flavors, right? 

Well, TikTok said, “Nope, we’re packing our bags and heading to Italy.”

This season’s surprise cocktail trend isn’t some sweet frozen daiquiri or color-changing bevvy. It’s the tomatini, and it’s giving farmer’s market chic. Equal parts quirky and elegant, this savory cocktail is low-key taking over your FYP, and honestly? I kind of get it.

What’s a tomatini?

Believe it or not, the tomatini isn’t some chaotic trend a TikTok bartender threw together last week. It actually dates back to 2010, when bartender Jimmy Barrat introduced the drink at Zuma Dubai. His goal? To capture the taste of a perfectly ripe summer tomato in cocktail form by turning your farmer’s market haul into a boujee sip. Now, more than a decade later, TikTok has rediscovered the recipe and is giving it the viral treatment it never knew it needed. 

What’s in a tomatini?

The tomatini starts with tomato water, not juice, so put the V8 away. Tomato water is clearer, lighter, and way less pulpy. It’s made by straining blended tomatoes through a cheesecloth, which gives the drink a super clean flavor that’s unmistakably tomato. From there, it’s usually mixed with vodka, a splash of simple syrup, salt, pepper, and some white balsamic vinegar and garnished with a cherry tomato. 

How do you make a tomatini?

Making a tomatini the Jimmy Barrat way feels like you’re crafting a drink and manifesting summer in one go. First, you grab a fresh tomato and give it a good smash in a cocktail shaker — like really let it know who’s boss. Then, toss in the rest of your ingredients, add ice, and shake like you’re trying to get over your ex. Once it’s chilled to perfection, you double-strain it into a cute glass to keep things smooth and classy. Finish it off with a dash of black pepper on top, maybe a cheeky garnish, and voila! You just made the chicest tomato drink on the internet.

Other tomatini recipes with a twist

Leave it to TikTok to take a boujee cocktail and turn it into a full-blown aesthetic moment. Creator Alessandra Pizzorni (@alessandrapizzz) shared her take back in March, and it’s giving Mediterranean goddess energy. Instead of sticking to the OG vodka formula, she leveled things up with gin, dry vermouth, sea salt, and even a drizzle of olive oil. Yes, olive oil in a cocktail, and somehow it works.

@alessandrapizzz

The Tomatini makes my top 10 list for sure 🍸🍅🌿✨ muddle Roma tomatoes 2 oz of gin 1/2 oz white balsamic 1/2 oz dry vermouth dash of regular balsamic vinegar pinch of sea salt shake vigorously with ice top with 🌿 black pepper + olive oil + sea salt + balsamic glaze #tomatini #tomato #tomatomartini #savorymartini #tini #tomatoes @Selena Gomez @Graza @BOTANIST

♬ Bluest Flame – Selena Gomez & benny blanco

Others are giving the tomatini a gentler, slightly sweet upgrade. TikToker Maisie Powers (@maisie.powers) kept things simple but intentional by swapping out the usual simple syrup for honey, and it totally changes the game by adding a floral sweetness that balances out the acidity of the tomato without making the drink taste sugary.

@maisie.powers

aperitvio idea – tomato ‘tinis! 🍅🍸 unexpectedly delicious & makes happy hour feel like an afternoon in Italy! Recipe: 1 ripe tomato, cut into chunks 1 oz white balsamic vinegar 2 oz vodka dash of honey cherry tomatoes black pepper 1. Add the tomato chunks to a glass. Use a muddler to break them down, releasing the juices. 2. Pour the crushed tomato into a cocktail shaker. 3. Add the honey, vodka, and balsamic vinegar. 4.Shake until chilled and combined. Strain the mixture into a martini glass. 5. Sprinkle a pinch of black pepper over the top. 6. Cin Cin! Recipe from uncomplicatedchef.com ❤️ adorable napkins from @adcstitches #romanticizeyourlife #romanticize #dateideas #aestheticlifestyle #girlythings #girlyaesthetic #cozyvibes #cozyathome #vintagedecor #kitchendecor #happyhour #aperitivo #italy #martini #cocktails #cocktail #martinis #happyhourathome #italianfood

♬ Come Prima – Tito Puente And His Orchestra & Abbe Lane

If sweet or savory isn’t your vibe, don’t worry. Katie Rosenhouse over at TastingTable has entered the chat with a spicy twist that’ll wake up your taste buds in the best way. Her version brings the heat with chili flakes, hot sauce, and a splash of fresh lime juice. The spice adds just the right amount of chaos while the lime keeps things bright and refreshing. It’s bold, balanced, and definitely the one to try if you want your cocktail to add a little edge without going full Bloody Mary mode. 

Nadi Meyer

George Mason '25

Nadi Meyer is part of the National Writer program at Spoon University, where they focus on exploring the ever-evolving world of food trends. From viral TikTok drinks to unexpected brand collabs, they break down what’s buzzing in the food space and why it’s capturing attention. In addition to trend coverage, Nadi occasionally dabbles in recipe development, bringing a creative twist to flavors that catch their interest.

Before joining Spoon University, Nadi spent nearly a decade in retail, where they sharpened their communication skills and developed a natural flair for sales pitches. From bookstore and grocery aisles to department stores and even a stint in video game management, their work experience is as versatile as it is people-focused. Nadi graduated from Brightpoint Community College in August 2022 with an associate’s degree in General Studies and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Media Production and Criticism at George Mason University. They expect to graduate in late 2025. Their roots in storytelling run deep, as Nadi also played a key role in rebuilding the journalism program at Thomas Dale High School, where they graduated with an advanced diploma in 2017.

Outside of writing, Nadi can usually be found hanging out with their nine-year-old rescue dog, Tiger, who’s equal parts anxious and adorable. A proud member of the cozy gaming community, they unwind with titles like “Palworld,” “Fields of Mistria,” and “Stardew Valley.” When they’re not farming for virtual wheat or battling in the mines, Nadi enjoys flexing their creative muscles through crafting and digital design, often diving into Canva or Adobe Creative Suite to bring their ideas to life. Whether it’s curating vibes in a game or on the page, Nadi is always chasing the perfect mix of comfort and creativity.