Sistan Wind
Melon, lime and mint, as cooling as the famous summer wind.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | ml | oz |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | 45 ml | 1½ oz |
| Fresh melon juice · homemade, J03 | 60 ml | 2 oz |
| Fresh lime juice · homemade, J01 | 15 ml | ½ oz |
| Plain syrup · homemade, P01 | 0–10 to taste | |
| Fresh mint leaves | 4–5 leaves | |
| Soda water | 30 ml | 1 oz |
Ounces are rounded; measure in ml for accuracy. Homemade items link to their own page.
highball
fresh cubes
mint sprig and a thin melon slice
The story
Every summer, a hot wind blows across Sistan for about four months: the famous bad-e sad-o-bist rooz, the “120-day wind.” Sistan is also the legendary homeland of Rostam, the greatest hero of the Shahnameh, and a land of melons grown in the shimmering heat near the Hamoun wetlands. This long, pale drink is made for that heat: fragrant melon, lime and mint, with soda bubbling like a breeze.
Method
- Add everything except the soda to a shaker with ice.
- Shake briefly, about 8 seconds, so the mint stays fresh.
- Double-strain into a highball over fresh ice.
- Top with soda water and stir once.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and a thin melon slice.
How it tastes
Light and juicy, with honeyed melon, a squeeze of lime and a cool lift of mint.
Persian taste: shirin (sweet), fresh
Pair it with
- Food: Chilled melon with salty feta and mint.
- Sweet: Bastani sonnati, saffron and rose ice cream with pistachio.
- Snack: Tokhmeh, salted roasted seeds
Variations
Melon and rose
Add 2 drops of rose water for a classic Persian summer pairing.
Gin wind
Replace the vodka with gin.
Alcohol-free
Melon juice, lime, mint and soda, with plain syrup to taste.
Balancing tips
- Taste the melon first; a sweet, ripe melon may need no syrup at all.
- Use only fragrant, ripe melon; a bland melon makes a watery drink.
Allergens
- No common allergens.
- Contains alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Development notes
- Status: draft recipe, not yet taste-tested.
- Record melon variety and sweetness.
- 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.
Sistan, imagined
