Ad Lo Yada: Persian Cocktails For Purim

by: RonitTreatman

Wed Feb 29, 2012 at 14:58:58 PM EST

There is a rabbinic saying (Meg. 7b) that on Purim we should become intoxicated to the point of "ad lo yada" or not being able to differentiate between "Blessed be Mordecai" and "Cursed be Haman."  What should we become intoxicated with?  In the spirit of Purim, it seems very appropriate to indulge in exotic Persian cocktails.

Cocktail recipes after the jump.

Gulab Ka Sharbat: Pomegranate-Rose Water Cocktail
Adapted from Petrina Verma Sarkar

• 1 1/2 ounces of vodka
  
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
  
• 1/4 cup rosewater
  

Sharbat-e Ablimu: Lime Cocktail
Adapted from Sookandcook

• 1 1/2 ounces of vodka
  
• 6 1/2 ounce of water
  
• 1 large ripe lime
  
• 1 tablespoon of sugar (or to taste)
  

Sharbat-e Zaferan: Saffron Cocktail
Adapted from ramkicooks

• 1 1/2 ounces of vodka
  
• 2 cups water
  
• 2 cups sugar
  
• 1 lemon
  
• 1 tablespoon of saffron threads

1. Prepare a simple syrup by boiling one cup of water, and then dissolving 2 cups of sugar into it.  
2. Add one tablespoon of saffron threads.  
3. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon.
4. Allow to cool to room temperature.  
5. Pour the vodka, 6 1/2 ounces of water, and 1/3 cup of syrup into a shaker over ice cubes.  
6. Shake vigorously.  
7. Pour through a strainer into a chilled coupette glass, leaving the ice behind.  
8. Garnish with saffron threads.

This Purim, you can perfom the mitzvah of getting tipsy while savoring Persia's unique flavors.  With vodka as your neutral palette, you can add the interesting accents of pomegranate, rosewater, saffron, and lime.  Chag Purim Sameach!  Happy Purim!