A Special for Salta
✦ The Original — the cocktail that started the Wall

Salta's Altyn

"Born under the big skies of Kazakhstan. "Altyn" means gold in Kazakh, and the drink is gilded by облепиха (sea buckthorn) — the bright tart-gold berry that grows wild across the steppe. Honey for warmth, thyme pressed for its mountain-herb oils, and a thin dried apple on the rim as a wink to Almaty, the city whose name literally means "full of apples". Half a world from home, served in a coupe."

Ingredients

  • Vodka40 ml
  • Sea Buckthorn Purée25 ml
  • Honey Syrup (2:1)15 ml
  • Lemon Juice15 ml
  • Fresh Thyme1 sprig
  • Prosecco40 ml

Method

Lightly press the thyme sprig in a shaker to release its oils. Add vodka, sea buckthorn purée, honey syrup and lemon juice with ice and shake hard. Fine-strain into a chilled coupe and top gently with prosecco.

Glass: Coupe
Garnish: Thyme sprig and a thin dried apple slice on the rim
Why this, for Salta

Sea buckthorn brings a bright tart-gold tang that defines the drink. Honey rounds the edges, thyme adds a whisper of the steppe, and prosecco lifts it into something celebratory — the gold of a toast.