Tomato Caprese Cocktail

•  Tomato Water
• 1lb. ripe or overripe tomatoes, washed and rough chopped
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•  basil syrup
• 1/2 cupsugar
• 1/2 cupwater
• 3/4 cuploosely packed basil leaves
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•  saline solution
• 1/4 cupfiltered water
• 2 tbspFine sea salt
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•  For Serving
• 1/4 cupTomato Water
• 2 ozwhite rum
• 1 tbspbasil syrup
• 1 tbspwhite balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tbspliquid from a mozzarella container (whey)
• 8 dropssaline solution

Preparation

1. 1.

   Tomato WaterIn a blender, purée the tomatoes, starting on low speed and increasing to high speed. Transfer the tomatoes to the fine-mesh strainer, and press down with a small ladle or spoon to extract all the juice from the pulp. Pour the juice into a 1-pint freezer-safe container and freeze until solid, about 4 hours.

2. 2.

   Line a colander with a few layers of cheesecloth and set it into a large bowl. Place the frozen block of tomato juice in the cheesecloth. Cover the colander with plastic wrap, place in the refrigerator, and allow the tomato block to drip as it thaws, up to 24 hours depending on the size of the frozen block. Pour the resulting clear tomato water into a glass jar. You should have a bit less than 1 cup. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

3. 3.

   Basil SyrupIn a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Pour the syrup into a jar and add the basil. Let stand for about 24 hours, shaking occasionally. Strain the syrup and store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

4. 4.

   Saline SolutionIn a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the salt and stir until dissolved. Let cool completely, then transfer to a 1/4-cup glass bottle with a dropper lid or a small container. Close the lid and keep behind the bar or in the refrigerator for several months.

5. 5.

   For ServingThread the mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil leaves on a skewer. Chill a coupe and set aside. In a shaker, combine the tomato water, rum, syrup, balsamic vinegar, whey, and saline solution. Add ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into the chilled glass, then add the garnish.