Purim is one of the only holidays where drinking is not just a suggested tradition, but a religious mandate. As an old Talmudic saying puts it, “You must drink until you cannot tell the difference between ‘Blessed is Mordechai’ and ‘Cursed is Haman’.” Purim is a holiday of unabashed joy and resilience, celebrating an ancient victory of good over evil. During the month of Adar, in which it takes place, you’re encouraged to focus on joy, celebration, and what you can do to feel happier and more grateful. Drinking a great cocktail is, perhaps, one of those things. So is eating hamantaschen, traditional shortbread pastries shaped like a triangle and full of fruit or poppyseeds.
For this Purim cocktail, I made poppyseed simple syrup to honor my favorite hamantaschen filling, poppyseed paste. The “flip” technique, which uses a whole egg in a cocktail shaker, is meant to mirror the texture of hamantaschen. A touch of Luxardo is a nod to the fruit fillings also popular in hamantaschen — apricot being the most common. The cocktail gets its name from “Shoshanat Yaakov” or “Rose of Jacob,” a song that often finishes off a Purim service. L’chaim to the beauty and joy in the world, even in times of turbulence.
What is the Story of Purim?
On Purim, Jews read the Book of Esther (often called the “Megillah,” meaning scroll), the story of how Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai outwitted the vizier Haman who planned to kill the Jews of Persia. During the reading of the Megillah, every time the reader says Haman’s name, the audience boos or shakes a noisemaker. For kids, it’s a holiday for dressing up in costumes, particularly ones with masks. Synagogues or other Jewish organizations often hold Purim carnivals for everyone to enjoy. It’s one of my favorite Jewish holidays.
I once had a rabbi tell me that people who just went to temple on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were missing out. If they really wanted to play hooky and only come for the fun parts, the real move was to skip the High Holidays and only come on the most joyous holidays, Purim and Simchat Torah. This cocktail is perfect for a Purim party!
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The Rose of Jacob, a Purim Cocktail
Description
A cocktail fit for Queen Esther.
Ingredients
For the cocktail:
- 2 oz whiskey or rum
- 1 oz poppy seed syrup
- .25 ozLuxardo
- 1 egg
For the poppy seed simple syrup:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp of poppy seeds, crushed
Instructions
For the cocktail:
- Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker, shaking vigorously to allow mixture to thicken with egg.
- Rim a glass with poppy seeds if desired.
- Pour into coupe glass.
- Enjoy!
For the poppy seed simple syrup:
- Crush up poppy seeds with a mortar and pestle or other kitchen instrument until they resemble a paste.
- Bring sugar and water to a boil. Then add poppy seed paste.
- Strain using a cheese-cloth or coffee filter.
Recipe by Emma Riva and Zack Durkin
Styled by Star Laliberte
Photography by Dave Bryce
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