Sabalan Honey
Mountain honey, pear and bourbon from the slopes of Sabalan.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | ml | oz |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | 45 ml | 1½ oz |
| Unsweetened pear juice | 30 ml | 1 oz |
| Fresh lemon juice · homemade, J01 | 15 ml | ½ oz |
| Honey syrup · homemade, P12 | 10 ml | ⅓ oz |
| Black walnut bitters | 2 dashes |
Ounces are rounded; measure in ml for accuracy. Homemade items link to their own page.
rocks glass
one large cube
thin pear slice and, if you like, a small cinnamon stick
The story
Mount Sabalan rises over Ardabil, snow-capped for much of the year. In summer the Shahsavan nomads bring their flocks up to its meadows and beekeepers move their hives among the wildflowers; Sabalan honey is famous across Iran. At its feet, the hot springs of Sarein steam in the cold air. This drink pairs mountain honey with pear and the walnut that Iranians always eat alongside honey.
Method
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 12 seconds.
- Strain over a large cube in a rocks glass.
- Garnish with a thin pear slice and a small cinnamon stick.
How it tastes
Rounded and warm, with floral honey, soft pear, bright lemon and a nutty, woody finish from the walnut bitters.
Persian taste: shirin (sweet), torsh (sour)
Pair it with
- Food: Aged cheese with walnuts and honey.
- Sweet: Honey and walnut baklava.
- Snack: Dried apricots (barghe)
Variations
Hot Sabalan
Build 45 ml bourbon, 15 ml honey syrup and 10 ml lemon in a warmed glass and top with hot water.
Brandy Sabalan
Use brandy instead of bourbon.
Alcohol-free
60 ml pear juice, 15 ml lemon, 15 ml honey syrup, topped with soda.
Balancing tips
- Use pear juice, not nectar, which is much sweeter.
- A strong honey can take over; record the honey you use.
Allergens
- Honey
- Walnut flavor (check bitters label)
- Contains alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Development notes
- Status: draft recipe, not yet taste-tested.
- Check pear juice versus nectar and honey intensity.
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.
Ardabil (Mount Sabalan), imagined
