Laurent Cazottes Tomato Brandy (375ml)

Laurent Cazottes Tomato Brandy is actual tomato brandy, distilled from 158 varieties of heirloom tomatoes the producer grows and harvests himself in Southwest France. This is not tomato-infused spirit or a novelty liqueur—Cazottes macerates ripe tomatoes in brandy made from Folle Noire grapes, an ancient variety native to the region, then distills and blends the result to 18% ABV. The lower proof keeps the spirit approachable and lets the tomato's vegetal complexity come through without alcohol burn. Cazottes is equal parts horticulturist and distiller, and the method reflects both disciplines. He harvests his tomatoes at peak ripeness, macerates them in Folle Noire grape brandy—a delicate, fruit-forward base—then racks and distills the maceration. The Folle Noire grape, nearly extinct outside Southwest France, contributes a soft fruitiness that supports rather than masks the tomato. The final blend retains the brightness of ripe tomatoes alongside an herbal undertone, almost a whisper of green vine and garden soil, without the heavy sweetness that plagues most fruit liqueurs. The flavor is savory and subtly fruity, landing somewhere between a serious aperitif and a culinary ingredient. Pour it chilled before dinner, especially when tomatoes are on the table—it pairs beautifully with gazpacho, fresh mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes, or Margherita pizza. It also works in cocktails where you'd normally reach for a vegetal spirit: try it in a Bloody Mary variation, or mix it with dry vermouth and a dash of bitters for something entirely new. The 375ml format makes sense here; this is a spirit to sip thoughtfully over the course of a summer when tomatoes are everywhere and you want your drink to taste like the season. In stock at Off Premise in Lincoln Park.