Celebrate Passover with The Fifth Cup

Apr 2, 2025 by Chef David

By: Chef David

This year, make a place on your Passover table for The Fifth Cup – a craft liqueur certified Kosher for Passover by the OU and distributed by Righteous Road.

The Fifth Cup is made from fresh black mission figs, ruby red apricots, medjool dates, raw blanched almonds, and raw shelled pistachios. It is 30% alcohol by volume, with a surprisingly fruity aroma and a sweet finish. It comes in two varieties: the standard Fifth Cup Liqueur and a Barrel Reserve edition, both are kosher for Passover.

• The Fifth Cup Liqueur 750ml – a taste reminiscent of springtime. The Fifth Cup Liqueur was awarded a gold medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• The Fifth Cup Barrel Reserve Liqueur 375ml – The Reserve is made by aging  The Fifth Cup Liqueur is aged in new oak barrels for an additional one to two years to produce a limited edition. Resting it in new American white oak barrels imparts the aroma and flavor from the charred oak barrel to refine the liqueur, adding notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted almonds.

They both present a fruity bouquet with a delicate, subtle blending of flavors in a full-bodied spirit with a warm finish. We felt the reserve has a deeper, more complex, but overall smoother flavor.  They are both satisfying and perfect for kiddish on Passover and year-round.

The Fifth Cup’s label shows a cup sitting inside a five-petaled rose, the cup of blessing, which relates to the verse, ‘I will take up the cup of salvation…’ A surprisingly deep spiritual and powerful message for a delicately balanced spirit.

The Fifth Cup is available in stores and online.

Mention of The Fifth Cup

On Passover, we drink four cups of wine at the seder describing the Exodus: “I will bring out,” “I will deliver,” “I will redeem,” and “I will take.” However, there is a fifth phrase, “I will bring you into the land”. Commentators suggest this cup was omitted when it was clear that our ancestors would stay in exile. The Fifth Cup is about being brought into Israel.

The Babylonian Talmud mentions the fifth cup once. It follows the tradition that we drink from four cups, the first cup is drunk to sanctify the day, second cup is poured before the recitation of the 4 questions, the third cup is over the festival meal, the fourth cup is recited over Hallel and for the fifth cup one recites the psalm known as the Great Hallel (Psalm 136).

It is explained that Hallel and the four cups of wine at the seder are related to redemption, while the Great Hallel is one step above redemption. One opinion is that the fifth cup is connected to being brought into the Land of Israel. Another interpretation is that the fifth cup will lead to the coming of Mashiach.

The Righteous Road Brand

Righteous Road is a kosher Craft Spirits company founded in 2016 by David Hermelin. The Fifth Cup is one of their offerings. They also make the Righteous Seven (The Seven Species – Shiv’at HaMinim) and Gibor, a whisky blend.

Righteous Road reminds us that “life is a series of choices that lead us down our unique road. Take the road that brings light and goodness into the world.” To further explain their name righteous describes an individual whose conduct is morally right and justified, with strength of character and backbone to do the right thing in the face of challenge or adversity. The righteous spread divine light with all their deeds and actions.