Snap E Tom was a delicious tomato and chile juice drink that you can't get anymore. Which is a bummer because it's the key ingredient to my favorite tortilla soup recipe!
But I figured out how to create a copycat, homemade Snap E Tom recipe that makes my soup taste just like it's supposed to! But it also makes a great cocktail mixer. YUM!
Whether you love tomato-based cocktails or want to spice up a soup recipe, this copycat recipe is what you need!
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Why This Recipe Works
Snap E Tom (said "snappy) is a tomato juice drink, similar to V8. It had a kick of chiles making it flavorful but not super spicy.
And I can't find where to buy it anymore. Well, I did find an alternative brand but I've never tasted it and I can't vouch for it.
For a long time, you could only find it at a few stores and my mom and I would stock up on it so that we could make this soup all winter long.
But, alas, it's finally gone. I can't find it anywhere. And all my back stock is expired.
Which meant I had to figure out how to get a similar flavor. Because I'm not going to stop making the soup.
There are a handful of recipes on the internet for making a substitute.
But I came up with a trick that is easy and doesn't make you create one whole recipe before even starting the soup.
But this also works for making cocktails too! While I haven't learned to love a Bloody Mary, I'm sure this would be delicious in it.
Ingredients
- V8
- Diced green chiles
Since the base of Snap E Tom is tomato juice, it made sense to start there.
While I am not a huge fan of tomato juice, I knew that V8 is popular and would be similar. I know they make a bunch of varieties but I think the basic is best.
To get that chile flavor, I decided to use the juice and some chiles from a can of diced green chiles.
I don't have a can of Snap E Tom to do a side-by-side comparison, but it absolutely works to get the taste I want.
How to make homemade Snap E Tom
To a small bowl or jar, add the V8 juice.
V8 comes in different sizes so get whatever size is available to get to about 11 ounces or 1 ½ cups. I used 2 (5.5 ounce) V8 cans.
Open a can of diced green chile and save the lid. I get the mild version since my family doesn't love spicy.
They are also fire-roasted which adds to the flavor and makes it the perfect hack.
Squeeze the juice from the 4 ounce can into the tomato juice.
You don't have to get crazy and get every last drop. Just get what you can.
Add a spoonful of the diced chiles to the jar/bowl.
Because there is another green chile salsa in the soup recipe that I use this Snap E Tom substitute in, I'm not worried about the chunks from these chiles.
If you like your soups extra smooth, you could absolutely run this through a blender quickly.
Give it a quick stir.
And that's it!
It's quick and easy and tastes as close to Snap E Tom as you can get.
It's a quick way to make my favorite Tortilla Soup taste amazing for very little effort.
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Homemade Snap E Tom
Ingredients
- 2 5.5 oz cans V8 juice
- 4 oz. can diced green chiles mild
Instructions
- To a small bowl or jar, add the cans of V8 juice.
- Open the can of diced green chiles and, using the lid, squeeze the juice into the tomato juice.
- Mix well.
Dennis says
This is good. I do V-8 with lemon juice and green tabasco sauce. It's easy and gets very close to the taste of old Snappy.
Lani Briggsi says
I am 74 yes old. And have been drinking Snappy most of that time. Have seen several recipes but still trying to get the best results. Thanks
Sharon Garofalow says
Hi! Did you happen to try my recipe? I'd love to know your thoughts and what changes you think I could make to make it even closer to the original! It's SO tasty!
Amanda says
This is great to know! My grandfather used Snap E Tom to make Bloody Mary's. It's my family's favorite way to make them. We can use V8 but it just doesn't taste right so I know exactly what you mean about your soup. We don't mind using expired Snap E Tom so I'll give your recipe a side by side comparison next time we make them and let you know what I think. I am glad to know we can keep the flavor profile once we run out of the Snap E Tom.
~Amanda
Sharon Garofalow says
I'm so happy you found this! Please let me know what you think after you try it! I'm happy to tweak the recipe so we can get it closer to the real flavor it's just been so long since I've actually tasted the original! :)