Cocktail of the Month: Liquid Sunshine
By • January 13, 2026 0 38
If countries were colors, Morocco would be a rainbow.
South of Spain, this gateway to Africa has earned its place in travelers’ lore, whether it’s a shepherd boy on his personal legend quest in Paulo Coelho’s epic odyssey “The Alchemist,” tales of the Rolling Stones at Tangier’s Café Baba or Graham Nash riding the “Marrakesh Express.”
Making Liquid Sunshine. Courtesy Jody Kurash.
Also known as the Red City, Marrakesh is the hub of the country’s tourism. And perhaps its cocktails. Though, as a mostly Muslim nation, the most common evening libation is “Berber whiskey,” aka mint tea.
Late last year, while on a North African sojourn, I discovered Baromètre, a hotspot that took the mixology experience to a higher level. Baromètre is the brainchild of visionary artist Shadni, who believes in “providing sensations with creation born from creativity, refined with harmony and perfected with excellence.”
Luckily, I was able to avoid the brutal, warlike haggling of the city’s notorious taxis and walk to the venue. The lobby was like a speakeasy. On my left was a wooden door; on my right a floor-to-ceiling spice cabinet. After knocking, I was surprised when the decoy wall opened a portal into an enchanting den.
Glass jars filled with exotic herbs lined the bar three deep and backlit bottles of booze glowed in the background. A barkeep with the grin of a Cheshire cat popped up like a jack-in-the-box, ready to fulfil my order.
Everything was one-of-a-kind, featuring house-made infusions, macerations and spices from the local terroir.
My first choice was called the Marrakesh Market.
arrived in a camel sculpture carrying my glass on its back, just like the ancient days when dromedaries transported precious goods across the desert. The primary ingredient was “ras el hanout,” a mixture of the best-of-the-best spices, selected by the head of the market (the Arabic term’s English translation).
This jumble of more than 40 ingredients exploded on my tongue with seemingly endless layers, including cinnamon, cardamon and pepper. The perfect finish was a succulently sweet date, elegantly balancing the drink’s savory elements.
But if we’re talking spices, there’s one that’s worth its weight in gold: saffron, which, depending on the quality, sells for anywhere from $400 to over $1,000 per ounce. When Shadni offered me a luxurious tipple with this exclusive component, I eagerly accepted.
Courtesy Jody Kurash.
The cocktail is called Liquid Sunshine because, Shadni explained, saffron grows best in sunny Taliouine in the High Atlas mountains. The color of the drink radiated like the sun with a dazzling golden glow, topped with a flashy red chili. The pepper, he said, “embodies the human warmth and soul of Morocco.”
The scent was scintillating and the taste sublime, with sweet, floral and honey-like notes. A double dose of saffron — one from the infused tequila and the other from a house-made syrup — creates a feast for the senses. White vermouth connects the flavors without allowing the piquant chill and sharp tequila to overshadow the transcendent saffron.
I’ve heard of pricy novelty drinks garnished with liquid (flavorless) gold as a gimmick, but this divine mixture was all heart, an extravagant bath for my taste buds.
While it would be possible to recreate this lavish tipple at home, it wouldn’t be a cheap endeavor. I’d recommend stashing that green away for an airline ticket to this magical, mystical land and having one in person. Bon voyage!
