Baklava
Baklava-Infused Bourbon and Rum, Baklava Foam, Crushed Nuts, Elder Flower, Firestix
Bartender Gabe Valladares of CookHouse | Baltimore, MD
“This drink came from a random dream I had: just me eating this warm, cartoon-like baklava, dripping in honey. When I woke up, I thought "why not turn that into a cocktail?" As I started working on it, I realized I had never actually eaten baklava before. So I went out, bought some, tried it for the first time, and began deconstructing it into a drink. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to incorporate elements like phyllo dough, and how to truly blend the spirit with those rich, nutty, honeyed flavors. That's when I started approaching it through infusion, essentially building a baklava without ever assembling it in the traditional way. Each ingredient gets introduced at different stages of the process to properly layer the flavor. It's definitely on the sweeter side, but it's absolutely worth it.” — Bartender Gabe Valladares
Adapted by StarChefs | July 2026 | Photo: Justin Tsucalas
INGREDIENTS
Baklava Infusion:
Yield: 1 liter
800 milliliters bourbon
200 milliliters dark rum
½ cup pistachios
½ cup walnuts
2 tablespoons pistachio powder
2 tablespoons pistachio cream
Clarified Baklava Infusion:
150 milliliters whole milk
2 tablespoons honey
Pistachio cream
Pistachio powder
Baklava Foam:
32 ounces oat milk
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons pistachio cream
3 tablespoons pistachio powder
To Assemble and Serve:
Yield: 1 cocktail
Saline solution
Crushed pistachios
Crushed walnuts
Fresh Origins Firestix™
Fresh Origins Elder Flowers
METHOD
For the Baklava Infusion:
Heat the water bath of an immersion circulator to 155°F. Combine all ingredients in a vacuum bag. Seal and cook sous vide 4 hours. Set aside.
For the Clarified Baklava Infusion:
In a nonreactive container, combine milk, honey, and Baklava Infusion. Stir in desired amount pistachio cream and pistachio powder. Cover and refrigerate 24 hours. The next day, strain until liquid runs clear. Bottle and refrigerate.
For the Baklava Foam:
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Transfer to a siphon canister with 1 charge. Refrigerate.
To Assemble and Serve:
In a mixing glass, stir to combine 3 ounces Clarified Baklava Infusion and desired amount saline. Pour into a rocks glass with 1 large ice cube. Top with desired amount Baklava Foam. Garnish with nuts and Fresh Origins Firestix™ and Fresh Origins Elder Flowers.
