Tabriz Bazaar
Toasted almond, sherry and brandy, like the qurabiya stalls of the great bazaar.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | ml | oz |
|---|---|---|
| Cognac or aged grape brandy | 45 ml | 1½ oz |
| Dry amontillado sherry | 15 ml | ½ oz |
| Almond orgeat · homemade, P21 | 10 ml | ⅓ oz |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1 drop |
Ounces are rounded; measure in ml for accuracy. Homemade items link to their own page.
rocks glass
one large cube
lemon peel, expressed
The story
Tabriz’s covered bazaar is one of the largest in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage labyrinth of brick vaults where carpets, spices, dried fruit and nuts have been traded for centuries. Among its sweet shops are stacks of qurabiya, Tabriz’s famous chewy almond cookies. Tabriz is also the city of the poet Shahriar, whose “Greetings to Heydar Baba” is loved across Iran and Azerbaijan. This stirred drink is the bazaar in a glass: toasted almond, nutty sherry, warm brandy and a hint of vanilla.
Method
- Shake the almond orgeat bottle well.
- Stir all ingredients with ice for 25 seconds.
- Strain over a large cube in a rocks glass.
- Express the lemon peel over the drink and drop it in.
How it tastes
Warm and rounded, with toasted almond and marzipan, dry nutty sherry and brandy’s dried-fruit depth.
Persian taste: shirin (sweet), nutty
Pair it with
- Food: Koofteh Tabrizi, a small one.
- Sweet: Qurabiya, Tabriz’s chewy almond cookies.
- Snack: Toasted almonds and dried apricots
Variations
Deep-toasted bazaar
Use the deep-toasted orgeat (P21 concept 3) for a richer drink.
Rum bazaar
Use aged rum instead of brandy.
Rose bazaar
Add 1 drop of rose water for a gaz-like floral note.
Balancing tips
- This is meant to be only modestly sweet: if it tastes sugary, reduce the orgeat to 7.5 ml.
- Vanilla is strong: one drop.
Allergens
- Almond (tree nut)
- Sulfites (sherry)
- Contains alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Development notes
- Status: draft recipe, not yet taste-tested.
- Keep distinct from Naqsh-e Jahan Cloud (stirred and spirit-forward here).
- 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.
East Azerbaijan (Tabriz), imagined
