Hot Spicy Tomato Warmer

Not every warm mug has to be sweet. This savory tomato warmer is the cozy, brothy answer to a cold afternoon, just V8 juice heated with a beef bouillon cube until rich and steaming, ready to wrap your hands around.

The bouillon is the whole idea. As it melts into the tomato juice, it deepens the flavor from plain vegetable juice into something closer to a savory broth, salty, meaty, and warming.

It comes together in the time it takes to heat a mug, which makes it a quick fix when you want something hot and savory instead of coffee or cocoa. It is also a soothing sip when you are feeling under the weather.

Think of it as a warm, alcohol-free cousin of a bloody mary, ready to be spiced up however you like, from a gentle pinch of pepper to a real hit of heat.

Kitchen Tips

• Heat gently and stir until the bouillon cube fully dissolves so the flavor is even.
• Taste before adding any salt, since bouillon is already salty.
• Use a low-sodium bouillon if you are watching your salt.

Variations

• Add a dash of hot sauce, Worcestershire, or a pinch of celery salt for a bloody-mary kick.
• Squeeze in fresh lemon or a grind of black pepper to brighten it.
• Garnish with a celery stick or a lemon wedge for sipping.