Isfahan Beh
Golden quince and apple brandy from "half the world."
Ingredients
| Ingredient | ml | oz |
|---|---|---|
| Apple brandy (Calvados) or gin | 45 ml | 1½ oz |
| Quince syrup · homemade, P23 | 20 ml | ⅔ oz |
| Fresh lemon juice · homemade, J01 | 15 ml | ½ oz |
| Aromatic bitters (optional) | 1 dash |
Ounces are rounded; measure in ml for accuracy. Homemade items link to their own page.
chilled coupe
shaken with ice, served up
thin slice of quince or apple, or a lemon twist
The story
Isfahan nesf-e jahan, Iranians say: “Isfahan is half the world.” It is the city of blue-tiled domes, the great Naqsh-e Jahan square and the Si-o-se Pol bridge, and it has long been famous for quince, beh, the golden, fragrant autumn fruit that slow cooking turns rosy and honeyed. In Persian homes it becomes morabba-ye beh, the ruby quince preserve spread on bread at breakfast. This drink pours that autumn fruit into a coupe.
Method
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 12 seconds.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
- Garnish with a thin fruit slice or lemon twist.
How it tastes
Floral and orchard-fruity, like apple and pear with honey, with lemon brightness and a gentle, grown-up astringency.
Persian taste: gas (astringent), torsh (sour)
Pair it with
- Food: Beryani, Isfahan’s famous spiced meat on flatbread.
- Sweet: Morabba-ye beh, quince preserve, with clotted cream on warm bread.
- Snack: Salted pistachios
Variations
Gin beh
Use gin for a brighter, more floral drink.
Ruby beh
Use the ruby morabba-style quince syrup with cardamom.
Alcohol-free
30 ml quince syrup, 15 ml lemon, soda water and ice.
Balancing tips
- Quince syrup varies with cooking time; taste and adjust lemon.
- Quince is in season October to December; make the syrup then.
Allergens
- No common allergens.
- Contains alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Development notes
- Status: draft recipe, not yet taste-tested.
- Confirm syrup dose with the first batch.
- Inspiration: Original house recipe.
Watch it mixed
Follow along
Steps light up as the animation plays. Tap a step to jump to it.
Heads-up: this animation was rendered from an earlier draft, so the amounts on screen differ slightly. Follow the ingredient table above.
Isfahan, imagined
