How the Tomatini took on a life of its own
In November, French Riviera-inspired restaurant group La Petite Maison (LPM) will host its second annual Tomatini Day, a global celebration of its ‘iconic’ signature cocktail. But how did this savoury serve turn into a modern-day classic?
Now marking its 15th anniversary, the Tomatini is made exclusively with Ketel One Vodka, which is blended with freshly muddled Campari tomatoes, a pinch of salt and pepper, three-year-old white balsamic vinegar, and a touch of simple syrup. It is garnished with a salt-and-pepper-dipped cherry tomato and finished with a theatrical crack of fresh black pepper from LPM’s signature oversized pepper mill.
Tibor Krascsenics, global bar manager at LPM Group, explained: “From Dubai to London to Miami, the Tomatini has become our global signature. Our bartenders take pride in serving something so instantly recognisable, and it reflects the creativity and consistency guests have come to expect at La Petite Maison.”
Since its inception, the Tomatini has become a modern classic, and is credited with shaping the global savoury cocktail movement.
In an episode of At The Bar, luxury hospitality consultant Anna Sebastian described the cocktail as a “light, fluffy Bloody Mary in a Martini glass,” and likened its global success to that of the Picante served at Soho House, which she said is “more than a cocktail – it’s a business model”.
The serve was originally created in 2010 by Jimmy Barrat – Diageo World Class UAE champion 2011, and 2012 global runner-up – for La Petite Maison Dubai. The Tomatini was inspired by the flavours of his French Riviera home: ripe coeur de boeuf tomatoes, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar, reimagined in a Martini glass.
Barrat said: “What excites me most is seeing the Tomatini take on a life of its own. It started as a simple way to bring a taste of home – fresh tomatoes, balsamic, salt and pepper from my garden in the south of France – and went on to inspire a whole wave of savoury cocktails around the world. It’s incredible to see something so personal resonate so widely.”
Since 2023, Tomatini sales across LPM Group’s international outposts have grown by more than 35%, cementing the drink’s place in cocktail culture.
LPM boasts 10 locations around the world, including London, Dubai, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Riyadh, Limassol, Doha, Las Vegas, and Mykonos, with venues in Kuwait and Marbella opening this autumn, and a Maldives outpost slated to open in 2027.
The group hosted its inaugural Tomatini Day in 2024, which was branded a ‘resounding success’, with thousands of guests across the 10 global locations joining the festivities.
On Tomatini Day itself, LPM Dubai sold 820 serves of the drink, and across the group, almost 78,000 Tomatinis were sold worldwide throughout 2024.
It is therefore no surprise that LPM will be reprising Tomatini Day across the group on 12 November.
In partnership with Ketel One Vodka, the 2025 edition will build on last year’s momentum, bringing back the elements guests loved most while introducing new surprises.
Each restaurant will mark the occasion with an immersive week-long celebration and, on 12 November, all guests dining at La Petite Maison London will receive a complimentary Tomatini or non-alcoholic TomatiNo on arrival.
It is said that Ketel One’s quality, crisp taste and long finish made it the natural partner for the Tomatini, allowing Barrat to craft the best possible version of his signature cocktail.
Bob Nolet, 11th-generation master distiller from the family behind Ketel One, said: “The Tomatini is exactly the kind of cocktail that makes partnering with bartenders so inspiring. It’s clever, approachable, and memorable, and we’re proud that Ketel One is the vodka behind it. Seeing the Tomatini rise to prominence as a modern mixology icon has been incredibly rewarding.”
Tomatini recipe
Ingredients
- 100g Quartered tomatoes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 10ml Balsamic vinegar
- 5ml Sugar syrup
- 50ml Ketel One Vodka
Method
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the quartered tomatoes, add the liquid and ice and shake. Double strain into a Martini glass. Sprinkle salt-and-pepper mixture on top and garnish with a whole salt-and-pepper-dipped cherry tomato.
To make the alcohol-free TomatiNo, substitute the vodka for lemon juice.
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