Tomato Lemonade, the viral drink popularized by @itsangusnguyen and @babyhandsbakes, is everything I want to sip on a hot summer day. Tangy, zippy, and deeply refreshing, it puts a savory spin on classic lemonade with the addition of fresh tomato.
Unlike traditional lemonade, which is typically made with lemon juice, sugar, and water, this version starts by muddling lemon quarters with fresh tomato and sugar. The fruit is then shaken with ice and water until the sugar dissolves, creating a drink with more body, texture, and complexity than the classic.
After tasting it, I thought it would benefit from a pinch of salt, and it made all the difference. The salt wakes up every flavor in the glass, making the citrus taste brighter, the tomato taste fresher, and the whole drink seem sweeter and more vibrant. It's an unexpected combination that works beautifully—a cooling, savory-sweet refresher you'll want to make all summer long.
How to Make Tomato Lemonade
Slice
Muddle
Shake
Salt
Tomato Lemonade Recipe
Active 10 min.
Total 10 min.
Makes 2 cups (4 servings)
- 1 vine-ripe tomato, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered and seeded
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Kosher salt
1 In a 1-quart deli container, vigorously muddle the tomato, lemon, and sugar until juices release and tomato pieces break apart.
2 Fill container 3/4 of the way with ice, then pour in 1 1/4 cups water. Place lid on securely and shake until sugar is dissolved. Taste and season with a pinch to 1/8 tsp salt, depending on sweetness of tomato. Strain out pulp if desired and serve over ice.
Tip: For an elegant cocktail, add a splash of gin to your glass.
