Summer Courtyard
Watermelon, rose and a gentle bitterness, by the courtyard pool.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | ml | oz |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | 40 ml | 1⅓ oz |
| Aperol | 15 ml | ½ oz |
| Fresh watermelon juice · homemade, J04 | 40 ml | 1⅓ oz |
| Fresh lime juice · homemade, J01 | 10 ml | ⅓ oz |
| Damask rose syrup · homemade, P04 | 5 ml | 1 tsp |
Ounces are rounded; measure in ml for accuracy. Homemade items link to their own page.
small rocks glass
fresh cubes
thin watermelon wedge
The story
The old Persian house turns inward to its hayat, a courtyard with a pool (hoz) and a fountain at its center, fruit trees and roses around it. On summer evenings, families spread carpets on the wooden takht beside the water, and a watermelon cools in the pool for after dinner. This drink is that evening: watermelon, rose and a gentle bitterness.
Method
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake briefly, about 8 seconds.
- Strain over fresh ice in a small rocks glass.
- Garnish with a thin watermelon wedge.
How it tastes
Juicy and refreshing, with watermelon, a soft rose scent and Aperol’s bittersweet orange edge.
Persian taste: talkh-shirin (bittersweet)
Pair it with
- Food: Nan-o-panir-o-hendevaneh, bread, feta and watermelon, Iran’s classic summer supper.
- Sweet: Chilled fruit with a few drops of rose water.
- Snack: Tokhmeh, salted roasted seeds
Variations
Courtyard spritz
Top with 60 ml soda water in a wine glass.
Gin courtyard
Use gin instead of vodka.
Alcohol-free
60 ml watermelon juice, 10 ml lime, 10 ml rose syrup, soda water.
Balancing tips
- If the watermelon is very sweet, start with 2.5 ml rose syrup.
Allergens
- No common allergens.
- Contains alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Development notes
- Status: draft recipe, not yet taste-tested.
- Overlaps with Tirgan (both watermelon); keep or trim after tasting.
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.
All of Iran, imagined
