here’s my version
3 tbsp butter
3/4 small onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
3 tbsp flour
6 – 8c tomato juice
3/4 tsp basil
salt and pepper
1 1/2 c milk or to taste
+/- 1/4 c heavy cream

melt butter in heavy dutch oven, add onions cook gently until translucent, add garlic and cook a few min more. Add flour cook for a min or two. Add tomato juice,salt, pepper and basil. Cook for 12-15 min. Add milk and cream, heat through. Serve with grated parm or romano and crackers.

NOTE:  I like my tomato soup smooth so I ended up running it through a sieve.