The Latkatini - A Hanukkah Cocktail

Tina Wasserman
Recipe by
Tina Wasserman

I originally created horseradish vodka to serve with gefilte fish at my Passover seder. Thinking about what this flavor evokes in Jewish cuisine and about the foods we customarily eat for Hanukkah, I created this fun, tasty Hanukkah cocktail. 

This Latkatini mirrors the ingredients in latkeslatkeלְבִיבָה"Pancake" (Yiddish); fried potato pancake often eaten on Hanukkah; plural: latkes.  with applesauce, and the milk stands in for sour cream. Don't worry: no onion!

Chag urim sameachChag SameachHebrew for term meaning, "happy holiday." , happy Festival of Lights.

Ingredients
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LATKATINIS:
½ cup sugar
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon rosewater
3/4 cup unfiltered apple juice or cider
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2-3 tablespoons plain or horseradish potato vodka (recipe below)
1/3 cup milk or milk substitute
¼ cup Hungry Man mashed potato flakes
1 cup of ice
Baharat or cinnamon for garnish
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HORSERADISH VODKA
4-inch piece of horseradish
2 cups potato vodka
Directions

Vodka Latkatinis

  1. To make the rosewater simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a 1-quart saucepan.  Bring to a boil and stir once or twice until the liquid is clear. Boil for 1 minute, remove from heat and stir in the rosewater. Pour into a clean jar and store in the refrigerator until needed.  
  2. Combine 1 tablespoon of the rosewater simple syrup with the next five ingredients in a blender. Blend until combined. Let mixture rest for a minute or two to allow the potato flakes to hydrate.
  3. Add the ice to the blender and blend on high until ice is totally incorporated. If necessary add a little more apple juice for desired consistency. Pour into martini glasses and sprinkle with some baharat or cinnamon as a garnish.

Horseradish Vodka

  1. Peel a 4-inch piece of horseradish. Rinse.
  2. Using a vegetable peeler or a julienne peeler/shredder, shred about ¼ cup.
  3. Place shredded horseradish in a quart jar and add at least 2 cups of potato vodka (I prefer Tito's).
  4. Let the jar of infused vodka sit on your counter for at least two days but preferably four.
  5. Refrigerate with the horseradish until needed.
Additional Notes
  • Rosewater simple syrup will last for months in the refrigerator.

Looking for more holiday dishes to round out your menu? Find additional recipes for a festive Hanukkah