about the cocktail

Easy Caprese was a finalist in our Bring the Bright cocktail challenge in August 2026. Created by Calgary home bartender Glen Smith (@Drinkswithglen), it turns the classic caprese salad into a cocktail, shaking muddled cherry tomatoes with Altamura vodka, basil syrup, lemon and a touch of balsamic. Glen explains, “My favorite summer time salad has always been the Caprese Salad, more specifically the appetizer version on the tooth picks. They are always bright and refreshing and full of flavor. This cocktail should hopefully resemble this salad only in drink form.”

flavor camp taste profile

ingredients

recipe

2 oz Altamura Vodka
0.5 oz semi-rich basil syrup
0.5 oz lemon juice
1 bar spoon balsamic vinegar
3 cherry tomatoes, muddled
3 drops saline solution
Garnish: Bocachini ball, basil leaf, cherry tomato on a pick, all drizzled in balsamic vinegar

method

Add the tomatoes to the shaker and muddle.
Add remaining ingredients to the shaker.
Shake over ice.
Double strain into the glass over a spear of ice.
Add your garnish

additonal preparations

Semi rich basil syrup: blanch a bushell of basil and chill in ice water. Pat dry the basil and add the basil to a 1.5:1 semi rich simple syrup and blend. Strain through a coffee filter or cheese cloth and bottle.
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