Lahijan Mist
A hot tea toddy with brandy, honey and cardamom, for misty evenings.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | ml | oz |
|---|---|---|
| Cognac or aged grape brandy | 45 ml | 1½ oz |
| Hot Persian black tea · homemade, P30 | 100 ml | 3⅓ oz |
| Honey syrup · homemade, P12 | 10 ml | ⅓ oz |
| Green cardamom pod | 1 lightly cracked pod |
Ounces are rounded; measure in ml for accuracy. Homemade items link to their own page.
warmed heatproof glass or mug
none, served hot
bitter-orange or orange peel
The story
Around 1900, tea plants were brought from India to the hills of Lahijan in Gilan, and Lahijan became the capital of Iranian tea. Today the green terraces climb hills that disappear into mist off the Caspian. In Iran, tea is poured all day, for every guest, and a stick of saffron nabat or a spoonful of honey sweetens it on cold evenings. This is that cup of tea, with a little brandy for warmth.
Method
- Warm the glass with hot water, then empty it.
- Add the brandy, honey syrup and cracked cardamom pod.
- Pour in the freshly brewed hot tea and stir.
- Twist the peel over the drink and drop it in.
How it tastes
Warming and fragrant, with brisk black tea, floral honey, cardamom and the soft depth of brandy.
Persian taste: gas (tannic), shirin (sweet)
Pair it with
- Food: Roasted chestnuts or warm bread with cheese and walnuts.
- Sweet: Koloocheh Fuman, Gilan’s soft walnut and cardamom cookies.
- Snack: Roasted chestnuts
Variations
Saffron mist
Use the saffron honey version of P12, or stir with a saffron nabat stick instead of honey.
Rum mist
Use aged rum instead of brandy.
Alcohol-free
Hot black tea, honey syrup, a cracked cardamom pod and orange peel.
Balancing tips
- Brew the tea fresh; stewed tea tastes harsh.
- Don’t boil the brandy; add it to the glass before the tea, not to the pot.
Allergens
- Honey
- Contains alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Development notes
- Status: draft recipe, not yet taste-tested.
- The book’s only hot drink; test serving temperature.
- 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.
Gilan (Lahijan), imagined
