While we understand nostalgia exists for Manischewitz, generally it’s a wine we try to avoid — unless of course we want to not only develop an incredible headache but also relive the experience of that one bar mitzvah in our teenage years where we were all too thrilled to drink the wine at kiddush no one else seemed to want. After polishing off the leftover glasses, we soon found ourself on the dance floor with not only an incredible amount of energy, but also overwhelming nausea. Suffice it to say, we quickly realized why the adults didn’t finish that wine.
But there are some times of year, such as on Rosh Hashanah, when not having at least a little bit of Manischewitz feels like a shonda. So how do you fulfill your obligation to consume a bit of Manischewitz without reliving those stomach pains? Put it in a cocktail!
The Manischewitz Fizz
Our take on a Bellini, this recipe uses reduced Manischewitz in replace of the peach purée. It’s quite refreshing.
The Ingredients:
- Sparkling wine
- 1 cup of Manischewitz
Reduce the Manischewitz in a pan over low heat until it thickens and halves in volume, becoming a syrup. Set aside and let cool. Take 1 tablespoon of thickened syrup and place in a sparkling wine flute. Top with chilled bubbly and serve.
The Manhattan Jew
Who doesn’t love a good Manhattan? In this version we’ve subbed out sweet vermouth for sweet kosher wine, and the results are quite delicious.
The Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Bourbon or Rye
- 1 ounce Manischewitz
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
- Meyer lemon twist
Combine the whiskey, Manischewitz, and bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until cold. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with the lemon twist.
The Mandelbaum
This is our take on the classic Martinez, which many think is the predecessor to the Martini, but we like to serve ours in a rocks glass instead of up in the tradition Martini glass.
The Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces Gin
- 1.5 ounces Manischewitz
- 1 teaspoon Maraschino Liqueur
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
- Lemon or orange twist
Combine all liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until cold. Strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube and garnish with a twist.
