Freshening Up the Refreshments

Chef Daniel Orr sees the value a good drink brings to a meal or any occasion. Here’s a couple of his variations.

Drinks for Lunch

Lunch is an opportunity to sample fruit and vegetable cocktails, spritzers, and non-alcoholic beverages. particularly during the week. You can play with variations of Bloody Mary’s, mimosas, or car bombs at weekend brunch gatherings and ball games.

For a Gathering

Planning and buying for your party can be made simpler and more affordable with themed cocktails. It can be more cost-effective to serve one or two specialty drinks at the liquor store and facilitate party planning. Make interesting and welcoming libations to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, St. Paddy's Day, Bastille Day, and other ethnic holidays. Punches, blender drinks, and sangrias are all great.

Lighten It Up

Softer beverages and traditional, regional American cocktails can add flair to a gathering. Sazeracs, Manhattans, mint juleps, blackberry tonics, and cucumber coolers all belong on your entertaining menu.

FARMmarys

Roasted Tomato Mary

Full shaker ice

4oz. roasted tomato Mary house mix (see below)

2ox. Vodka

1 wedge lemon

2 large olives

Celery heart with leaves as garnish

Roasted Tomato Mary House Mix

10 plum tomatoes, halved and roasted

1 medium Spanish onion, sliced thin

2 celery stalks, sliced thin

4-5 whole peeled garlic cloves

1T rosemary, chopped

2tsp black pepper

2 ½T horseradish, grated

2T Worcestershire sauce

1 48oz. can tomato juice

Zest of lemon

Any hot sauce to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Toss tomatoes, onions, celery, herbs, and sliced garlic in a bowl with enough olive oil to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven until golden brown around all edges. Stir several times while roasting. Puree the roasted vegetables in a blender with the tomato juice until it is very smooth. Mixture must be pureed well so that it is drinkable. Thin if needed with additional tomato juice or “pipe-stock,” aka water. Whisk in the lemon zest, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and chill well. Once cold, check seasoning for salt and black pepper and spice it up with hot sauce to your liking. It can be frozen for future use as well.

Looking for the perfect spot to host your next brunch in Bloomington? Look no further than FARM Restaurant! Reserve your table today by visiting our website, calling us directly at (812) 323-0002, or booking through your OpenTable App.