Tomato juice, with added ingredients, from concentrate, shelf stable
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a smooth, savory beverage made from concentrated tomato juice, often enhanced with salt, spices, and a touch of citric acid for brightness. It offers a clean, tangy tomato flavor with a thin, drinkable texture. Nutritionally, it's very low in calories and provides a small amount of protein and carbohydrates.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its concentrated, umami-rich tomato punch that serves as a refreshing drink or a versatile base for cocktails like the Bloody Mary. It's a staple in American brunch culture and a quick way to enjoy savory tomato flavor without cooking.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The added salt content in many brands can be high, which may concern those monitoring sodium intake. To counteract this, look for low-sodium versions or dilute it with water or unsalted vegetable juice. The acidity can also be harsh on sensitive stomachs; pairing it with a bland food like crackers or toast can help.
Key benefits
- Very low calorie density (23 kcal/100g)
- Source of the antioxidant lycopene
- Provides small amounts of potassium and vitamin C
- Convenient, shelf-stable source of tomato flavor
- Hydrating base for savory drinks and cocktails
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The modern Bloody Mary cocktail is often credited to Fernand Petiot, a bartender at Harry's New York Bar in Paris in the 1920s, who claimed to have invented the vodka-and-tomato-juice mix.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 93.6 g |
| Energy (Atwater General Factors) | 23.3 kcal |
| Energy (Atwater Specific Factors) | 19.9 kcal |
| Nitrogen | 0.14 g |
| Protein | 0.86 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.29 g |
| Ash | 0.93 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 4.3 g |
| Sugars, Total | 2.6 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 1.2 g |
| Fructose | 1.4 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Citric acid | 0.00 mg |
| Malic acid | 11.2 mg |
| Oxalic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Quinic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Calcium, Ca | 9.7 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.30 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.4 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 18.5 mg |
| Potassium, K | 198 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 236 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.10 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.06 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 49.8 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Niacin | 0.09 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.08 mg |
| Folate, total | 18.9 ug |
FAQ
What's the difference between tomato juice and tomato cocktail?
Tomato juice is typically just tomatoes (and maybe salt), while tomato cocktail often includes added ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, and other vegetable juices like carrot or celery, resulting in a sweeter, more complex flavor.
Is this a good source of vitamins?
It provides some vitamin C and potassium, but the amounts are modest. It's not considered a primary source of these nutrients compared to whole tomatoes or other fruits and vegetables.
Can I use this for cooking?
Absolutely. It's a convenient base for sauces, soups, stews, and marinades, adding depth and tomato flavor without the need to cook down fresh tomatoes.