Taking the traditional and permitted ingredients of the Passover Seder I've attempted to create two cocktails that are KFP or Kosher for Passover. My intent with these recipes is to give those who observe Passover some delicious cocktail additions to the Four Cups of Wine. Though I did extensive research and have experienced many a Passover Seder with friends, I am not of the Jewish faith and, therefore, welcome any corrections or additions on any errors or misinformation in this post. L'Chaim!
WHAT IS PASSOVER?
Pesach or Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and lasts seven or eight days from the 15th day of Nisan.
THE PASSOVER MEAL (Seder) is traditionally served as a special plate containing symbolic foods which represent the retelling of the story of the exodus from Egypt. Below are the traditional Passover foods and their significance:
Zeroah - A lamb's shank bone symbolizing the ancient Passover sacrifice.
Beitzah - A roasted egg symbolizing the temple sacrifice made every holiday when the temple stood and the continuing cycle of life.
Haroset - A paste of fruit, nuts, wine or honey that symbolizes the mortar used to construct buildings for Pharaoh.
Maror - A bitter herb (often horseradish) used to represent the bitterness of slavery.
Karpas - A green vegetable (often parsley) that represents the initial flourishing of the Israelites during their first years in Egypt.
Salt water - Symbolizes slaves' tears and is normally used to dip the karpas (green vegetable) in.
The seventh food, Matzah (Matzo, Matzot) is the unleavened bread which represents the haste of the flight from Egypt for in the haste to flee Egypt there was no time for bread to rise.
Matzo, though made from wheat, is unleavened and closely supervised to ensure it is baked no longer than 18 minutes. The Three Matzo are served on a separate plate to represent Kohen, Levi, and Yisrael.
Though most liquor is not KFP (Kosher for Passover), primarily because of the use of grains in the distillation, aging or fermentation process, there are some which are permitted if the Kosher requirements are met. Kosher wines and Kosher potato vodkas are acceptable, though many Passover observers only drink KFP wine. For more thorough information there is an excellent article on Kosher spirits over at The Alcohol Professor.
As with the Passover meal, if you are serving these cocktails to someone who keeps kosher you must make sure you use ingredients that have the KFP certification.
PASSOVER BULLSHOT
Serve warm
1 Oz. KFP Potato** Vodka
1 Oz. Chicken Broth
Dash of Horseradish
Garnish with a Sprig of Parsley dipped in Saltwater.
Add the dash of horseradish to a 2 ounce shot glass.
Warm the broth then pour over the horseradish.
Add the vodka then garnish with the salt water dipped parsley.
Serve with a roasted egg.
SEDER WINE COCKTAIL
6 Oz. Kosher Wine
Tbsp. Apple Chunks
1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon
Honey
Finely Ground Nuts for Rim
Ice
Rub the rim of an 8 ounce collins glass with honey and dip into the finely ground nuts. Muddle the cinnamon and apple chunks in the bottom of the glass, add ice then pour in your Kosher wine.
Serve with a cinnamon dusted matzo cracker.
Chag Kasher V'same'ach - Have A Kosher and Happy Passover!
** Vodka made from anything other than potato uses grain and anything with leavened grains is considered chametz and is prohibited during Passover. In particular, wheat, rye, oats and spelt are prohibited if they’ve had contact with water/moisture for longer than 18 minutes. During distillation it is possible and probable these grains would be exposed to water for longer than the prescribed time.
Updated 4-2017
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
