This Farmers Market Wine Cocktail is a savory, elevated take on sangria—think summer garden flavors in a glass, served with a light red wine like Pinot Noir.
It’s essentially a wine-based Bloody Mary built around concentrated fresh tomato flavor. If you enjoy ripe tomatoes and fresh herbs, this cocktail will feel like an afternoon on the patio. Make one and adjust to taste with friends.
Tomato Water: how to bottle summer.
Start by making Tomato Water. This clear, fragrant liquid is released from ripe tomatoes when they’re cut and strained. It’s simple to prepare but benefits from time: ideally make it the night before so it has time to steep. If you’re short on time, you can speed the process in two ways: make a double batch and use part of it after a few hours while the rest finishes steeping, or let it sit for about four hours and then squeeze the cheesecloth — the result will be slightly cloudy but still flavorful.
Choose a light-bodied red wine you enjoy drinking. I prefer Pinot Noir for its bright fruit and lower tannins, which pair beautifully with tomato and fresh herbs. Other good options include Gamay, Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise or a light blend. Use a bottle that tastes good on its own—no need to open your most expensive bottle, but pick something you’d happily sip.
Decide whether you want a standard or a spicy version. For a Spicy Farmers Market cocktail, add a few fresh jalapeño rings to the bottom of the glass with the cherry tomatoes, or use a halved serrano pepper as a stirrer and leave it in the glass. The drink will gain heat the longer the pepper steeps; leaving the seeds in will increase spiciness. Fresh pepper imparts bright flavor more than immediate intense heat.
My favorite garnish is a skewer of cherry tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella. A light sprinkle of flavored salt on the cheese (if you have one) is a nice touch. An extra basil leaf or a small basil flower on top brightens the aroma. Other garnish ideas: a halved cherry tomato or a sprig of parsley. I recommend avoiding olives—their brine can clash with the fresh tomato profile.
If you’re serving a group, double the tomato water so you don’t run out. This wine cocktail is a great way to showcase peak-season tomatoes and fresh herbs in an unexpected, savory drink. Pairing wine with vegetal, herbal elements makes for a refreshing and memorable summer cocktail.
Farmers Market Wine Cocktail
K.C. Cornwell
Ingredients
- 2 cherry tomatoes sliced
- 2 fresh basil leaves
- 2-3 flat leaf parsley leaves
- 5 ounces California Pinot Noir
- 3 ounces tomato water
- Dash of sea salt
- Ice
- Garnish: tomato + basil + fresh mozzarella on toothpick
- *For a Spicy Farmers Market, add 3 slices of fresh jalapeño or serrano pepper
Instructions
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Place the sliced cherry tomatoes in the bottom of a wine glass or tumbler.
Crack the basil and parsley between your palms and add the herbs to the glass to release their oils and aroma.
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Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the wine and tomato water, add a scant dash of sea salt, and stir gently to combine.
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Garnish with the tomato, basil and mozzarella skewer or simply top with a sliced cherry tomato and a basil leaf.
Notes
Spicy Farmers Market note: the longer the fresh peppers steep in the drink, the spicier it becomes. Early on you’ll taste more pepper flavor than intense heat.
Nutrition
Photos: Meg van der Kruik.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Wine Cocktail recipe:
Yes. Sangria, spritzes and frose are all wine cocktails. Wine pairs well with juices, mixers and sometimes additional spirits to create refreshing mixed drinks.
Juices and fruit are classic mixers for red wine. For a savory option, try tomato water and fresh herbs. Spices, warmed fruit and additional spirits also work for mulled or spiced red wine preparations.
Yes. Many sangria recipes include spirits, and cocktails like spritzes or some fortified-wine cocktails combine wine with liqours. Fortified wines like vermouth are also common cocktail ingredients.
Prefer a single-serving wine cocktail mixed in the glass?
If you want an even simpler wine cocktail, try a single-serving sangria style—easy to mix and ready in minutes with just sliced fruit and wine.