VegetableTomato
Cocktail True Red Tomato
Cocktail True Red Tomato is an F1 hybrid determinate variety that packs heavy yields of perfectly portioned 2-ounce red fruits into a compact 18 to 36-inch plant. This cultivar emerged from True Leaf Market's 2018 tomato trials as a standout performer for gardeners seeking prolific harvests in tight spaces. Ready to pick in just 70 to 79 days from transplant, it thrives across hardiness zones 2 through 11 and adapts beautifully to gardens, raised beds, greenhouses, and containers. Strong resistance to bacterial canker, fusarium wilt, late blight, powdery mildew, tobacco mosaic virus, and verticillium wilt makes it a resilient choice for regions where tomato diseases run rampant.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
36 in
Height
TypeDeterminate
Spacing
24
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
36in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The defining strength of Cocktail True Red is its ability to set fruit heavily on a determinate, space-conscious plant, yielding dozens of uniformly sized 2-ounce tomatoes in a compact footprint. This F1 hybrid was specifically selected and refined through trial growing, earning its place in the True Leaf Market lineup for its consistent performance and production density. Gardeners working with limited space, containers, or greenhouse beds will find its 18 to 36-inch height remarkably accommodating while still delivering the volume most home growers crave.
Common Uses
Cocktail True Red tomatoes shine as snacking tomatoes and salad stars, their 2-ounce size making them ideal for popping whole into your mouth or halving for fresh bowls. They work wonderfully for cocktails and appetizer platters where individual-sized tomatoes are aesthetically pleasing and practically convenient. The uniform sizing and heavy production also make them suitable for preserving, whether you're canning sauce, making paste, or roasting for concentrated tomato flavor.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed starting mix, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and maintain temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination. Provide bright light (grow lights or sunny windowsills) once seedlings emerge.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (ideally 65 to 70 degrees). Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before transplanting. Space plants 24 inches apart with rows 36 inches apart, and plant deep if leggy, burying the stem up to the first true leaves to encourage a stronger root system.
Harvesting
Pick Cocktail True Red tomatoes when they reach full red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure; they'll be ready roughly 70 to 79 days after transplanting. These small, 2-ounce fruits are best harvested when fully ripe on the vine for maximum flavor and texture. Harvest regularly to encourage continued fruit production throughout the season.
Pruning
As a determinate variety, Cocktail True Red requires minimal pruning compared to indeterminate types. Remove only the lower leaves once the plant is established to improve air circulation and reduce soil-borne disease pressure. Avoid heavy pruning, which can expose developing fruit to sunscald and stress the plant during peak fruit set.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Growth Habit
Determinate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Cocktail True Red emerged from True Leaf Market's 2018 tomato trials, a systematic evaluation process designed to identify hybrid varieties that perform exceptionally well for home gardeners and market growers alike. Rather than tracing back decades or centuries like an heirloom, this F1 hybrid represents the modern tomato breeding philosophy: crossing select parent lines to achieve specific, desirable traits (in this case, compact determinate growth, heavy fruit set, disease resistance, and uniform 2-ounce sizing). Its selection through trial growing reflects how contemporary seed companies evaluate and introduce new varieties to the market, choosing those that consistently outperform in real-world conditions.”