Go Back

Homemade Tomato Juice

This vibrant and smooth homemade tomato juice is easy to make with fresh tomatoes, perfect for drinking on its own or using as a cocktail and cooking base.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Calories: 35

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 3 pounds fresh ripe tomatoes Roma, heirloom, or beefsteak varieties work best
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder optional
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or lime juice
  • 2 cups water for simmering
  • Fresh basil leaves or celery leaves optional garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot (6-quart minimum)
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp chef's knife
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth-lined colander
  • Blender or food mill
  • Glass jars or bottles for storage
  • Mesh skimmer or slotted spoon
  • Measuring spoons and measuring cup

Method
 

  1. Rinse the tomatoes under cool running water and pat them dry completely.
  2. Using a sharp chef's knife, cut out the core from each tomato and quarter them.
  3. Place the quartered tomatoes into a large pot, add 2 cups of water, and stir gently.
  4. Heat the pot over medium-high heat until it reaches a gentle boil, then reduce to medium and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the tomatoes collapse into a pulp.
  5. Carefully transfer the cooked tomatoes and liquid to a blender in batches and blend until completely smooth, about 45 seconds per batch, or use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
  6. Strain the blended tomato mixture through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a large bowl, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract all the juice.
  7. Return the strained juice to the pot, add sea salt, black pepper, lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder; stir well and adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. Pour the juice into clean glass jars or bottles, refrigerate for at least 1 hour until chilled, then serve over ice or use as desired.

Notes

Serve this juice ice-cold over ice cubes, garnish with basil or celery leaves, or use as a base for cocktails and cooking.