Tarkhun (Georgian tarragon soda)
No ALCOHOL
Tarkhun, a tarragon soda, is a delightfully green drink with a sweet & fresh flavour. Tarragon leaves, sugar and lemon are boiled into a syrup, then mixed with a carbonated water for a distinctive, unique taste.
Tarkhun was first created in Tbilisi way back in 1887 by pharmacist Mitrofan Lagidze (he of ‘Lagidze Water’ fame). He mixed natural syrups with soda, using popular flavours including cherry, pear, and the much beloved tarragon. Originally intended to help cure digestive ailments, tarragon syrup quickly gained in popularity across Georgia.
You can buy commercially made products or make your own version at home.
folkways.today
This article has a great introduction to the drink and its history. There are recipes for tarragon syrup and a tarkhun & lime drink.
foodperestroika.com
An “entirely safe and natural” recipe that doesn’t contain the toxic malachite green dye. Perfect. This talks you through making the tarragon syrup, then mixing with sparkling water for the required fizz.