Urmia Blossom
Apple and willow blossom, the first scent of spring by the lake.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | ml | oz |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | 45 ml | 1½ oz |
| Fresh unsweetened apple juice | 30 ml | 1 oz |
| Fresh lemon juice · homemade, J01 | 15 ml | ½ oz |
| Plain syrup · homemade, P01 | 10 ml | ⅓ oz |
| Bidmeshk (willow-blossom) water | 3–4 drops |
Ounces are rounded; measure in ml for accuracy. Homemade items link to their own page.
chilled coupe
shaken with ice, served up
thin apple slice
The story
Urmia, beside its great salt lake, is a city of many peoples: Azeri, Kurdish, Assyrian and Armenian. It is ringed by orchards famous for apples, and every year at the end of winter the bidmeshk, the musk willow, blooms there with soft yellow catkins whose scent tells Iranians that spring is coming. Distilled, they make araq-e bidmeshk, a gentle floral water. This delicate sour pairs that scent with fresh apple.
Method
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 12 seconds.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
- Garnish with a thin apple slice.
How it tastes
Light and elegant, with crisp apple, bright lemon and a soft, musky floral perfume from bidmeshk.
Persian taste: torsh (sour), floral
Pair it with
- Food: Kuku sabzi, the Persian herb frittata, cut into small squares.
- Sweet: Noghl, sugar-coated almonds, a sweet Urmia is known for.
- Snack: Apple slices with salt
Variations
Pear blossom
Use fresh pear juice instead of apple.
Gin blossom
Use a light gin instead of vodka.
Alcohol-free
60 ml apple juice, 15 ml lemon, 10 ml plain syrup, bidmeshk water to taste, topped with soda.
Balancing tips
- Add bidmeshk water by the drop and record the brand; strength varies.
- Use fresh, cloudy, unsweetened apple juice.
Allergens
- No common allergens.
- Contains alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Development notes
- Status: draft recipe, not yet taste-tested.
- Confirm bidmeshk dose; changed from pear to apple to avoid overlap with Sabalan Honey.
- 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.
West Azerbaijan (Urmia), imagined
