Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 5 – Tomatini.
One of my favourite things about the holidays is playing around behind the bar a little more than usual — and Fever-Tree’s Classic Caesar Mix is such a fun ingredient to have on hand for that. Yes, it makes an excellent Caesar, but it’s also way more versatile than you might think.
If you’re a Caesar lover but looking to serve something a bit more refined for your holiday brunch occasions, I’ve got you. This Tomatini is a martini-adjacent stunner that puts Fever-Tree Classic Caesar Mix to a creative new use. The end result is sleek, savoury, and totally worthy of all your holiday celebrations.
This post is sponsored by Fever-Tree.
Made with ripe tomatoes, bright lime, a touch of clam, and a balanced blend of savoury spices, this mix brings instant depth and a gorgeous savory backbone to cocktails — the kind that makes home bartenders feel like they’ve unlocked a new door. It’s crafted with naturally sourced ingredients and no artificial flavours, so the taste stays fresh, vibrant, and beautifully rounded.
In today’s Tomatini, I’m using it to nudge a martini into holiday-aperitivo territory: sleek and bracing, but with that subtle tomato-spice complexity that feels unexpected and totally festive. Consider this your gentle nudge to think outside the Caesar glass this season — mix, shake, and see where it takes you.
On the palate, vodka and chilled Fever-Tree Classic Caesar Mix adds soft herbal sweetness, while dry vermouth keeps things sharp and elegant. A whisper of white balsamic gives the whole drink this subtle lift and those three basil-olive-oil drops on top are the final flourish that ties everything together.
The Tomatini was a rising star cocktail of Summer ’25 and by using Fever-Tree Classic Caesar Mix we can enjoy this delightful drink all year round, even when your backyard vegetable garden is buried under five feet of snow.
If this Tomatini piques your interest, you might like some of my other savoury cocktails:
Tune into my Instagram Stories tonight at 5 p.m. Eastern for a step-by-step cocktail tutorial on how to make this one at home.
Cheers, friends!
Tomatini
Made with the finest ripe tomatoes, a touch of clam, and spices – Fever-Tree’s Classic Caesar Mix lets you savour the taste of summer year-round. This Tomatini is the perfect serve for an elevated holiday brunch.
- 1½ oz vodka
- 1½ oz Fever-Tree Classic Caesar Mix chilled
- ¼ oz honey thyme & vermouth syrup
- ½ oz dry vermouth
- ¼ tsp white balsamic vinegar
- Garnish: basil olive oil or olive oil
- 1 cup dry vermouth
- 1 cup honey
- ¼ cup fresh thyme sprigs
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Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
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Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
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Garnish with three drops of basil olive oil or olive oil.
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Combine ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until fully incorporated – about 5 minutes.
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Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
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Fine-strain into an airtight container.
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Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.
