Make your Holi celebrations vibrant with these colourful cocktails

Eagerly awaited each year, Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. While rituals and customs might differ, the spirit of letting loose is common. The festival is incomplete without delicious food and drinks, and while the traditional thandai is always popular, adding interesting cocktails can make your celebration even more exciting. To make your Holi gatherings even more vibrant, we asked Mumbai mixologists to share some of their most colourful cocktail recipes. Whether you are a novice, or a master, these are easy to follow, and can be whipped up in no time.

Lemon Mint

IN PHOTOS: Stunning images capture pre-Holi festivities across India

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"It is a zesty cocktail creation that combines fresh mint leaves, tangy lime juice, and bubbly Sprite over ice. Muddled with a touch of sugar for the perfect balance, this refreshing drink will awaken your taste buds with every sip. Whether you're relaxing by the pool or hosting a fancy party, this invigorating beverage is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression," says Sonali Malik, bartender at Bayroute.

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Ingredients

Fresh mint leaves 8-10
Sugar 1 tsp
Fresh lime juice 30 ml
Sprite or lemon-lime soda 120 ml
Ice cubes

Method

1. Begin by crushing a handful of vibrant mint leaves with a touch of sugar in a cocktail shaker.
2. Squeeze in a generous amount of fresh lime juice and fill the shaker with ice.
3. Shake with fervour to meld the flavours together.
4. Pour the concoction into a bamboo glass brimming with ice cubes.
5. Pour in Sprite or your preferred lemon-lime soda to the top.
6. Gently mix it all together.
7. Adorn with a sprig of mint and a wedge of lime.

(L-R) Coastal Crush, Khatta Meetha Mango Blast

Falooda with Nksha twist

"Filled with goodness of nuts, raisins, and strawberries this cocktail packs a crunch. It is a cool and refreshing drink,which is ideal for your outdoor celebrations," says Anurag Godbole, wine sommelier and bar manager at Nksha Restaurant.

Ingredients

Milk 200 ml (full fat)
Strawberry syrup 50 ml
Cashew nuts10 gm
Almonds 10 gm
Raisins 10 gm
Pistachios 10 gm
Fresh strawberries 10gm
Basil seed 10 gm
Vanilla Ice cream 1 scoop

Method

1. Soak basil seeds in water for an hour.
2. Chop all the nuts mentioned above.
3. Mix strawberry syrup in the cold milk.
4. Soak all chopped nuts and basic seeds in the milk for half an hour.
5. Pour the mixture into the glass.
6. Add a scoop of ice cream, and garnish it with more nuts and strawberry syrup.

Khatta Meetha Mango Blast

"This cocktail celebrates the hues of Holi. I would call it a symphony of tangy sweetness owing to its vibrant explosion of flavours," shares Vikrant Nagaonkar, assistant bar manager at Dome.

Ingredients

Gin 60 ml
Fresh Mango Juice 60 ml
Homemade raw mango and Kiwi puree 60 ml
Lime Juice 15 ml
Soda top up

For garnish

Dried kiwi slice
Crushed ice

Method

1. Take a highball glass with ice.
2. Muddle raw mango, and kiwi together to make a puree.
3. Pour lime juice over the crushed ice, then add mango juice,homemade raw mango, and kiwi puree.
4. Top it off with a splash of soda.
5. Stir well.
6. Garnish with a dehydrated kiwi slice.

(L-R) Lemon Mint, Purple Rain

Purple Rain

"The Purple Rain cocktail is a stunning and flavourful gin-based drink inspired by the iconic song by Prince. It is a delightful combination of delicate yet bold flavours. The blue pea flower tea lends its vivid violet hue, while the basil and lime provide a refreshing balance of herbal and citrus notes," explains Lordston Soares, mixologist at Ditas.

Ingredients

Gin 60 ml
Fresh lime juice 15 ml
Simple syrup (adjust to taste) 15 ml
Fresh basil leaves 2-3 no
Blue pea tea (butterfly pea flower tea), chilled 60 ml
Tonic water 60 ml
Edible flower for garnish

Method

1. Add ice to the cocktail shaker.
2. Combine all ingredients in the shaker.
3. Shake, and strain into a gin goblet.
4. Garnish with edible flowers.

Blueberry Smash

"The freshness of mint complements the flavour profile of blueberry. It's a delightful blend of flavours that makes it perfect for sipping on a warm day or as a festive drink for any occasion," says Ratan Marsh, mixologist at The Nines.

Ingredients

Whiskey 60 ml
Lime juice 20 ml
Blueberry syrup 15 ml
Apple juice 30 ml
Mint leaves 8 to 10 leaves
Dehydrated lime for garnish

Method

1. Muddle fresh blueberries with mint leaves, and simple syrup to make the blueberry syrup.
2. Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Combine all ingredients in the shaker.
4. Shake, and strain into an old-fashioned glass.
5. Garnish with dehydrated lime.