Ispahan is the popular French pastry made with rose cream, fresh lychee, raspberries and macaron shells. Last February, I took a live course with Ladurée to learn how to make ispahan macarons and used that experience as inspiration for today’s rendition of the ever popular dessert! Although not technically a dessert, this ispahan macaron cocktail checks all the boxes when it comes to flavor and appeal. From the lychee and raspberry liqueur to the premium almond syrup, fresh raspberries, and champagne, it is essentially an ispahan in a glass, complete with a macaron garnish!
Ispahan inspired Macaron Cocktail
A dreamy sparkling craft cocktail, inspired by the ispahan macaron. Lychee and raspberry liqueur, raspberry puree, almond syrup and a dash of rose water shaken over ice and topped with champagne. Garnished with rose petals and ispahan macarons, for an elegant dessert beverage.
Check out another one of my other favorite macaron cocktails here!
What is an Ispahan Macaron?
The Ispahan macaron is the most popular pastry flavor invented by Pierre Hermé. It is said to be inspired by the ancient city in Persia and also known to be named after the ispahan rose. Pierre Hermé’s ispahan macaron is made with two macaron shells. The bottom shell is topped with a rose infused ganache or cream, using rose extract/syrup. In the center of the rose infused filling, you’ll find sliced lychee, which is then topped with an additional macaron shell, then finished with rose and fresh raspberry.
The popularity of the ispahan has much to do with its heavenly fruity and floral flavor and stunning appearance. All the more reason to use the flavors in a sparkling cocktail for the sweetest and chicest happy hour at home!
How to make an Ispahan inspired Macaron
Because the macarons are used to garnish the cocktail, you’ll only need 1″ sized macaron shell, as opposed to the larger 3″. The shells are made with the Italian meringue method as referenced in the recipe. Once the batter is ready, the batter is piped onto the baking sheets, rested baked and then assembled.
The filling, although not classic is my take on the original and dairy free friendly. It is an easy rose cream made with organic shortening, icing sugar, vanilla and a few drops of rose water. There’s fresh lychee in the center of the frosting and fresh raspberries studded along the outside of the each macaron.
For the full Ispahan Macaron recipe, please reference my original post here. The only difference with these macarons is the size of the shell.
Making an ispahan inspired cocktail
All of the ingredients in the cocktail are reminiscent of the pastry! The almond syrup takes on the flavor of the macaron shell, with the lychee and raspberry liqueur acting as the filling and a few subtle notes of rose and champagne to bring it all together.
Aside from the optional macaron garnish, making an ispahan cocktail at home is simple! Here’s what you’ll need to make this drink:
Ispahan macaron cocktail ingredients:
- Lychee liqueur (or syrup if you cannot find liqueur)
- Raspberry liqueur
- Premium almond syrup
- Rose water
- Raspberry purée
- Champagne or sparkling wine
- Edible rose blooms
- Ispahan Macaron for garnish
Method:
To make the macaron inspired cocktail, simply pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake until well combined, then pour the drink mixture evenly between two snifter glasses. Top with champagne until well combined. Garnish with edible rose blooms and an Ispahan Macaron.
Cheers!
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Ispahan Macaron Cocktail
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Macaron Cocktail
- Cuisine: Beverages
Description
A dreamy sparkling cocktail, inspired by the ispahan macaron. Lychee and raspberry liqueur, raspberry puree, almond syrup and a dash of rose water shaken over ice and topped with champagne. Garnished with rose petals and ispahan macarons, for the ultimate ispahan flavor.
Ingredients
Ispahan Macaron Cocktail
- 1.5 parts lychee liqueur (or syrup if you cannot find liqueur)
- 2 parts raspberry liqueur
- 1/2 part premium almond syrup
- 3–4 drops rose water
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries rinsed, puréed and strained
- Champagne or sparkling wine
- Edible rose blooms
- Ispahan Macaron for garnish (see link in post to recipe)
Instructions
- Pour the lychee liqueur /syrup, raspberry liqueur, almond syrup, rose water, and raspberry puree into a cocktail shaker over ice.
- Shake until well combined.
- Then pour the drink mixture evenly between two snifter glasses.
- Top with champagne until well mixed.
- Garnish with edible rose blooms and an Ispahan Macaron.
- Serve immediately.
- Cheers!
Keywords: how to make ispahan macarons, macaron inspired cocktails, ispahan flavor, lychee, raspberry and rose, rose cocktails, spring and summer drinks, Valentine's Day cocktails, French macaron cocktails, romantic cocktails
If you’re in need of a cocktail option for upcoming Valentine’s Day/Galentine’s day, this is the perfect drink to make! From the pink color to the flavors, it has the holiday of love written all over it. And since the recipe automatically calls for enough ingredients for two, it could easily be served in lieu of Valentine’s dessert.
A sparkling cocktail that has love written all over it! Just like the ispahan macaron, the flavors marry well together, for a fruit and floral forward drink, with notes of lychee and rose on the palette. The addition of the almond syrup is to resemble the flavor of macaron shells.
Sip this macaron cocktail between bites of each Ispahan Macaron and enjoy the wonderful flavor comparisons from the drink and pastry combined. Cheers!
Although many are participating in dry January, including myself, this recipe is a wonderful one to bookmark for the upcoming month of Feb!
This post titled Ispahan Macaron Cocktail was seen first on Posh Little Designs. All Rights Reserved 2022.
wow-2 delicious treats in one-so clever & innovative! The cookie is perfection and I imagine the raspberries balance out the rose flavor! Just a stunning macaron. Who would of thought to pair a cocktail with the same flavors of the dessert-just a master-that’s you. The fit perfectly together like PB & jam! Yum!