Passover-inspired cocktail recipes

In an effort to make the Passover Seder more relatable to a younger crowd, the guys behind San Francisco’s Sipping Seder have created a series of cocktail recipes, each inspired by an element of the traditional Seder plate.

The Jewish holiday of Passover is rife with food symbolism. Each of the six elements on the traditional Seder plate play a role in the dinner and represent a piece of the Passover story. Maror, or bitter herbs, represents the bitterness of being slaves in ancient Egypt, while a shank bone recalls the sacrificial lamb.

These are not easy flavors to translate into cocktails, but Rob Corwin and Danny Jacobs of the Sipping Seder have done just that. Fortunately, they haven’t always gone the literal route with their interpretations, and instead try to capture the spirit of each component.

Charoset, a sweet mixture of apples, walnuts and honey, represents the mortar used by Jewish slaves in Ancient Egypt to build storehouses. In the hands of Corwin and Jacobs, it is transformed into a smooth, pleasantly sweet cocktail comprised of honey vodka, sweet vermouth and cinnamon. And they describe their maror cocktail as a “borscht martini.” For more Passover-inspired libations, visit the Sipping Seder website. L’chaim!

Charoset cocktail recipe

Reprinted and adapted with permission from the Sipping Seder

Yields 1

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce 42Below Manuka Honey Vodka
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Combine vodka and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass with ice and stir.
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Dust with a dash of cinnamon.

Maror Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces vodka
• 1 small raw golden beet, peeled
• 1 slice fresh horseradish about the size of a quarter, peeled
• 1 stick of peeled red beet (about 1/8” x 3”), for garnish

Directions:

1. Cut the golden beets and horseradish into small pieces and muddle thoroughly in a mixing glass with 1/2 ounce of the vodka.
2. Add the remaining vodka to the mixing glass and fill 2/3 full of ice.
3. Shake vigorously.
4. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a stick of red beet at the moment of serving.
6. Note: They suggest slipping the beet garnish into the cocktail as you serve it. The red color will begin to bleed out into the yellow liquid immediately. Leave it to your guest to observe or agitate the process as they see fit.

More Passover inspiration

Stay healthy during Passover
What to expect at your first Passover dinner
Passover recipes and kosher food and wine for the Seder