The long Maine winter has a way of driving us all indoors. Wrapped in blankets and thick socks, we gather around fireplaces, cradling mugs of something warm, spiced, and comforting. This is a season when we seek out drinks that do more than warm the body—they soothe the soul. For those who appreciate the art of digestifs and herbal elixirs, Handshake Digestif Bitters offers just that: a unique fusion of Persian and Maine flavors, bringing together distant homes in a bottle to keep you cozy through the coldest nights.
Shahin Khojastehzad created Handshake Digestif Bitters out of a love of his native Iran and his adopted home of Maine. The Portland-based beverage company has transfused the essence of both places into a winter companion. His creation is more than just a drink—it’s a story of survival and migration, and a celebration of the flavors that have shaped his life.
The journey that brought Handshake Digestif Bitters to life began with a flight out of Tehran in the 1980s. Khojastehzad’s family, fleeing the chaotic aftermath of the Iranian Revolution, sought refuge in Germany before being sponsored by a generous couple in Bath, Maine. It was a long way from Tehran’s bustling streets to the quiet corners of Maine, but it was here that they built a new life.
While the family adjusted to their new environment, Persian traditions were never far from home. Meals were rich with the spices and aromas of the Middle East. His mother, a talented cook who later opened Shahnaz Persian Grille on Forest Avenue, preserved their connection to Iran through her food. “She was always cooking kebabs, ghormeh sabzi, and the crispy, golden rice known as tahdig,” he recalls, laughing about the culture shock his friends experienced when they came over for dinner.
Though growing up in Maine’s predominantly white communities brought its challenges, it also fostered deep friendships across cultures. His diverse group of friends from various backgrounds gave him a love for food as a universal connector—something that would become a cornerstone of Handshake Digestif Bitters.
The digestif itself is a drink that merges the old-world traditions of Persian ingredients with the wild flavors of Maine. “I started with what I call my ‘flavor triangle’—tea, citrus, and wood,” he explains. These elements became the backbone of Handshake’s complex profile, allowing him to weave together a tapestry of ingredients that tell a story of two homes.
The Persian influence shines through with super negin saffron, black lime (limo omani), sumac, and Persian tea, while Maine’s contribution comes in the form of spruce tips, Cascade hops, and robust maple syrup. Each ingredient was carefully chosen not just for its flavor, but for its story. Spruce tips, for instance, remind him of springtime trips with friends in Dayton, Maine, where they harvested tips off white spruce trees while sipping Caspian spritz cocktails in the back of Khojastehzad’s truck. These moments, like the bitters themselves, are a blend of past and present, tradition and innovation.
Getting Handshake Digestif Bitters just right wasn’t easy. Years of experimentation, tweaking, and adjusting recipes added up to over 50 variations before Khojastehzad settled on the final product. Challenges included navigating the complex world of regulations, removing ingredients like chaga mushrooms to comply with FDA rules, and finding the perfect balance between Persian and Maine ingredients.
But for him, the real challenge was philosophical: “I wanted the product to be authentic, to use natural, high-quality ingredients without relying on artificial flavors or colors,” he says. From the saffron sourced from Afghan women-owned farms to the organically grown Cascade hops, Handshake Digestif Bitters is a tribute to quality and sustainability. The result is a drink that’s both rich and complex, but grounded in simplicity—a true reflection of the creator’s ethos.
Maine’s craft beverage scene is no stranger to innovation, and Handshake Digestif Bitters has found a warm welcome within this community. From its debut, it became clear that this wasn’t just another addition to the digestif family—it was something new. “Portland has grown so much in terms of diversity, and people are more open to trying new flavors,” he says. Handshake fits perfectly into this evolving landscape, a drink that celebrates both the local and the global.
The creator’s journey has also been about representation. Running one of the few Persian-owned businesses in the beverage industry nationally, Khojastehzad hopes Handshake Digestif Bitters will inspire others from underrepresented backgrounds to bring their own stories to the table. “There’s no need to choose between old world and new. You can create something that’s fully your own,” he says, reflecting on the power of blending cultural identities.
While Handshake Digestif Bitters is steadily gaining a following across Maine, plans are already in the works for new products. A nonalcoholic version called “Hands Free” is on the horizon, designed to cater to those who prefer not to drink but still want to enjoy the flavor experience. Additionally, two new lines of bitters—Roos and Shab—are in development, celebrating the Persian new year and the winter solstice, respectively.
“Roos will be a bright, springtime aperitivo, with beach rose and pomegranate,” he explains. “Shab, on the other hand, will be more robust, with Persian spices, wild rice, and cedar—perfect for cozying up in winter.”
As the brand grows, Handshake Digestif Bitters remains committed to sustainability, using recyclable materials, plastic-free packaging, and ethically sourced ingredients. The goal is not just to make a successful product but to do so responsibly, making it something that the founder—and Maine—can be proud of.
