The longest night cocktail mix has been inspired by the Yalda night in persian culture. Yalda is celebrated on the last night of Fall as the longest night of the year and the next day is the beginning of winter and the nights become shorter afterwards.
I call this cocktail "The Longest Night" because the main part is pomegranate juice. Pomegranate is served on Yalda night. The red color of pomegranate seeds symbolize the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life represent.
This drink can be served with Vodka or by its own. It has tangy, fruity taste. The rim is a mix of angelica and salt which is traditionally are added to pomegranate in Iran.
Rim
1 Tbs Ground angelica
1Tbs Salt
Cocktail mix
1.5 oz (1 1/2 shot) Vodka
4 oz pomegranate juice (If you want to top it with sparkling water if not 6 oz of juice)
Shake the pomegranate juice and crushed ice in the shaker and strain into the glass. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a small spring of thyme.
Pomegranate is served in Iran with salt and Angelica, this drink with the salty rim is made to remind the authentic familiar taste. I really don’t think that sugar in this particular drink with salty rim works well. But if you prefer a sweeter drink with pomegranate try the pomegranate cocktail which has honey and ginger in the mix. You can certainly adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more honey.
Can I add sugar if the juice is too sour for my taste?