The Jewish holiday of Purim calls for kosher cocktails. On Purim we celebrate the Book of Esther, and drinking is actually encouraged. What better way to celebrate this Talmudic tradition than with a tasty kosher cocktail?
Why Do Jewish People Drink on Purim?
Not every Jewish person drinks on the Purim holiday. Those who do indulge in kosher spirits based on a Talmudic interpretation of the Torah.The scroll of Esther concludes with an instruction from Mordechai to celebrate Purim as a time of “yemei mishteh v’simchah,” or “days of drinking and rejoicing” (Esther 9:22). The Talmud interprets this as a command to drink until you cannot tell the difference between the Hebrew phrases “arur Haman” (curse Haman) and “barukh Mordechai” (bless Mordechai).
Different rabbinic authorities interpret this Talmudic command to drink on Purim in various ways, so please don’t take my word for it– seek advice from a trusted halakhic authority before indulging. Furthermore, if you are avoiding alcohol for any reason, don’t let Purim steer you from that path. There are many good reasons to avoid indulging in cocktails (even kosher ones!). If you don’t drink, try one of these mocktail recipes (or recipe variations) instead.
In my family, we look at the Purim holiday as a chance to kick up our heels and have fun. We honor Esther’s inspiring story by toasting with a tasty cocktail. To help you celebrate, I’ve put together a tasty list of kosher cocktails for your Purim party below.
How Do You Make a Kosher Cocktail?
The liquors, mixers, and ingredients you use must be kosher certified. To find kosher certified brands, you can search the OU kosher database, or check your bottle for a kosher hechsher symbol.
I’ve provided links to some of my favorite kosher cocktail recipes below. These cocktails can obviously be made using any brands you like. For those wishing to imbibe kosher-style, I’ve provided a list of kosher-certified brands at the end of each recipe as a helpful guide. All of the brands listed are kosher certified when they bear a hechsher symbol. These aren’t the only kosher brands, obviously—they just happen to be kosher brands I’ve used. When in doubt, always look for the hechsher to ensure that your products are kosher.
I’ve also included some mocktails and a non-alcoholic punch in the list below for kids and others who choose not to drink.
Finally, I’ve provided instructions for how to make a citrus lemon or lime twist, which can be used to garnish your drinks and cocktails.
How Do You Measure Liquor for Cocktails?
![IMG_1574 Kosher Cocktails for Purim - A list of kosher cocktails for Purim, including recipes for Kosher Cosmo, Purim Pucker, Pomegranate Martini, non-alcoholic punch for kids & more.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/03/IMG_1574.jpg)
The measuring device above is called a “jigger;” it measures fluid ounces or “shots.” If you don’t have a cocktail jigger to help you measure, here’s a rough conversion guide:
¼ oz = ½ tbsp
½ oz = 1 tbsp
1 oz = 2 tbsp
Please drink responsibly. Have a fabulous Purim! Chag sameach, bete’avon!
KOSHER COCKTAILS AND PURIM BEVERAGES
![Martini glass with pomegranate martini on marble cutting board, glass carafe of pomegranate seeds, glass carafe of lime juice, martini shaker in background, on dark wooden surface.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/03/IMG_0736-740x555.jpg)
Pomegranate Martini
![Martini glass with pomegranate martini on marble cutting board, glass carafe of pomegranate seeds, glass carafe of lime juice, martini shaker in background, on dark wooden surface.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/03/IMG_0736-500x375.jpg)
The Purim Pucker – Lemon Mint Cocktail
![Horizontal shot of lemon cocktail in a tall glass, garnished with a sprig of fresh mint. A sliced lemon and another sprig of mint sit off to the right side.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/03/Purim-Pucker-3-500x375.jpeg)
The Razzle Dazzle – Raspberry Moscato Cocktail
![Horizontal shot of three kir royale drinks with Moscato. Cocktails in champagne flutes sitting on a round wooden serving tray. Fresh raspberries are scattered across the tray and a dish of fresh raspberries sits off to the left.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/03/Razz-matazz-3-500x375.jpeg)
Cucumber Martini
![Vertical shot of a short cocktail glass filled with a cucumber martini recipe, garnished with slices of fresh cucumber.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/09/IMG_7802-500x375.jpeg)
Cosmo Cocktail – Cranberry Vodka Cosmopolitan
![Horizontal shot of two red cosmopolitan cocktails in martini glasses on top of a round wooden serving tray. A sliced lime sits behind the glass on the right.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/03/The-Kosher-Cosmo-1-500x375.jpeg)
Watermelon Rum Cocktail
![Horizontal shot of two short glasses filled with a frozen watermelon rum cocktail, garnished with fresh mint. Slices of watermelon sit on top of a wooden cutting board on the left side.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/09/IMG_7811-500x375.jpeg)
Orange Creamsicle Cocktail
![Horizontal shot of an orange creamsicle cocktail in a martini glass garnished with orange twist, on a wood and marble cutting board. Towel and orange with slices in background.](https://toriavey.com/images/2014/02/IMG_7850-500x375.jpeg)
Blood Orange Cocktail with Rosemary
![Horizontal shot of two martini glasses filled with a bright red blood orange cocktail. Both are garnished with a sprig of fresh rosemary. A sliced blood orange and more rosemary sit off to the left.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/03/Blood-Orange-Cocktail-3-500x375.jpeg)
The Bull – Beer Cocktail with Vodka, Rum and Grenadine
![Horizontal shot of two red cocktails in tall glasses filled with ice. A sliced lime sits next to the glass on the right.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/03/The-Bull-1-500x375.jpeg)
Blood Orange Manischewitz Cocktail
![Horizontal image of a martini glass filled with a dark red cocktail and garnished with a slice of blood orange. Two blood oranges and a steel cocktail jigger sit off to the sides.](https://toriavey.com/images/2013/02/IMG_7756-500x375.jpeg)
Lemon Vanilla Vodka Cocktail
![Horizontal shot of two martini glasses filled with a lemon vanilla vodka drink garnished with a lemon peel twist.](https://toriavey.com/images/2013/02/Vanilla-Lemon-Drop-3-500x375.jpeg)
Strawberry Basil Cocktail
![Horizontal shot of a strawberry basil cocktail in martini glass, garnished with a sprig of basil. A steel cocktail shaker sits off to the right side.](https://toriavey.com/images/2013/02/IMG_7787-500x375.jpeg)
Purim Party Punch for Kids
![Horizontal shot of a punch bowl filled with a red foamy beverage. Two glasses of the punch sit next to the bowl next to a dish of fresh berries.](https://toriavey.com/images/2013/02/IMG_7741-2-500x375.jpeg)
How to Make a Lemon or Lime Twist
![Horizontal close-up of a lemon twist on a black background.](https://toriavey.com/images/2011/03/How-to-Make-a-Lemon-or-Lime-Twist-13-500x375.jpeg)
Do you know if “Be Tini” mixed vodka drinks are certified kosher ?
Hi Sherry, Tori’s assistant Ashley here. I took a look at their website and there was no mention of Kosher certification, so I would assume that it’s not.
I think your blog is brilliant. Just forwarded it to a few friends. Keep up the great work
Thanks Vicky! 🙂
Quite an array here-! We’ll stick with the kiddie punch. In our urban neck of the woods, we had a hard time even finding hamantaschen this year…oy!
I can’t wait to try a couple! Have a wonderful Purim, and as always, Thank You for sharing such great recipes with us.
OH BOY!!!!! These look and sound AWESOME!!! Happy Purim and thank you!
Yummy as Always…. ;-)…. But I only got up to making the second Drink… LOL… Do you know the word “Shiker”… I got Drunk…. Smiles and Blessings to you are Yours… Happy Purim..
Can’t wait to try these. Thanks as always.
Enjoyed the piece and the recipes.. Did I misread, or is Coors Light, kosher??
Lindi– you read right! Most beers marketed by Miller (including Coors) have kosher certification from the Orthodox Union (OU). From the Miller/Coors website:
>>We sell many Kosher-certified beers. Look for a small circle with a “U” or a “K” inside it. If you see that mark on your bottle or can, your beer is Kosher-certified.
Yum! They all look wonderfully refreshing. This will be our first time celebrating Purim, I look forward to it!