Celebrate Passover With 6 Festive Cocktails

The spring holidays are a great time for celebrating a change of seasons and the coming warm weather, but it’s also a good opportunity to gather with friends and family in celebration of the festivities.

Passover begins at sundown on April 22 and is celebrated through April 30.

While some of these cocktails are not necessarily kosher for Passover for those who observe the strictest of dietary guidelines, all are created in the spirit of the occasion.

The Egg

Found in New York City at COQODAQ, this cocktail has major Passover significance. During the Passover seder, an egg is one of six items featured on the seder plate and a symbol of rebirth and renewal. The Egg cocktail combines Grey Goose Vodka, St-Germain, jasmine, lychee and club soda.

Kosher Passover Martini

This martini at Citrus Club is made with Passoa, a splash of Upstate Kosher Vodka, and a burst of freshly squeezed lime juice, this cocktail is a vibrant ode to the festivities. "With each sip, embark on a journey that tantalizes the taste buds and ignites the spirit of togetherness. Raise your glass high, toast to tradition, and let the flavors dance on your palate in a joyous celebration of Passover. L'chaim to a Passover filled with flavor, flair, and unforgettable moments!" said Natalie Elorré, bartender at Citrus Club.

Umeloma

At Le Chick in Miami, this Umeloma cocktail is made with Vago Mezcal, Don Julio Blanco Tequila and Peychaud Bitters, with smoky undertones with hints of botanicals, There’s a bit of sweetness thanks to the Ume Plum Liqueur, simple syrup and grapefruit soda. Bar Manager, Kevin Altamura, says: "This drink isn't just any ordinary libation; it's a symbolic journey through the story of liberation, redemption, and renewal. Picture this: Vago Mezcal and Don Julio Blanco Tequila, representing the smoky liberation of the Israelites, mixed with Ume Plum Nectar for that touch of sweetness, reminiscent of the redemption experienced during Passover. To balance it all out, we add simple syrup and grapefruit soda with a spicy salt rim, representing the fiery trials overcome by the Hebrews as they journeyed towards freedom. L'chaim!"

Apples n' Honey

At Herd Provisions in Charleston, South Carolina, this cocktail is made with Laird's Applejack, beef fat washed bourbon, lemon, honey syrup, black walnut bitters, and red dessert wine. "This drink is inspired by charoset, a dish classically served as the first food in the passover seder. Charoset is composed of apples and nuts dressed in lemon, honey and manischewitz. This has several of those ingredients — the apples from laird's applejack, the honey in a syrup form, the nuts in the form of bitters, and the manischewitz substituted for an italian dessert wine from producer Angelo Negro. This drink is meant to reflect the sweetness of life we get to celebrate as a result of the hardships our ancestors endured. The addition of beef fat washed bourbon gives honor to the roasted lamb shank that is an integral part of any seder plate,” said General Manager Ethan Schneider.

Kartini

Also at Herd Provisions in Charleston, this cocktail is made with Chopin potato vodka, Genepy, Dolin dry, celery bitters, saline solution, and parsley stems. "This drink is inspired by Karpas, the green leafy vegetable we dip into salt water. On the holiday this is meant to symbolize the tears of our ancestors shed during their time of slavery. The potato vodka is significant as wheat, spelt, barley, oats and rye are typically 'forbidden' foods on passover. The parsley adds a herbaceous that is enhanced by Genepy and celery bitters, and the saline solution acts as the 'dirty' aspect of this martini,” said General Manager Ethan Schneider.

Arak Special

For Passover, Brooklyn-based Mesiba will be offering an Arak service from Beverage Director Christine Wiseman. The Arak will be served with fluffy grapefruit and honeydew. “Arak is one of the few spirits allowed during Passover because it is grain free and we give the option of choosing your own adventure by drinking it neat, on the rocks, or with fresh pressed fluffy grapefruit and honeydew juice with a nice lemon twist and piece of mint for the aromatics to complement the Arak,” said Wiseman.