Elevate your Diwali celebrations with these Indian-inspired cocktails

If you are planning a Diwali party, and worried endlessly about the decor, menu, and entertainment. Weve got you (partially)! While traditional Indian sweet dishes take centrestage, why not elevate your Diwali celebrations with some festive cocktails? From the fiery spice of clove to the floral notes of marigold, mixologists have drawn inspiration from the rich tapestry of Indian flavours. Whether theyre seasoned patrons or casual drinkers, these innovative twists on classic cocktails are sure to impress your guests. So, as you gather with loved ones to celebrate Diwali, raise a glass to the occasion and embrace the spirit of the festival of lights with these exquisite cocktails. Casablanca Highball Have you ever thought of using marigold flowers in your cocktails? Rishabh Mehrotra, mixologist at Cosy Box (Delhi and Gurugram) has reimagined the timeless whisky highball with the iconic flower. He shares, With every sip of the Casablanca Highball, the warmth of whisky blooms like marigolds. Mehrotra also shares tips to perfect his concoction: Remember to adjust citrus to taste, experiment with different whisky types, and try substituting peach syrup with other fruit flavours. Ingredients for Marigold infusionMarigold petals (without green parts) 100 gmWhisky 750 ml Peach syrup 15mlCitrus 10 mlSeltzer, for topping upPeach slice, for garnish Method 1. Wash, rinse, and dry marigold petals2. Soak petals in whisky for 24 hours in an airtight container3. Strain whisky into a clear bottle4. Fill a Highball glass with ice5. Pour in 60 ml of marigold-infused whisky, peach syrup, and citrus6. Top with seltzer7. Stir gently8. Garnish with peach slice Tamarind Whisky Sour Adding an Indian flair to a global staple, the Tamarind whisky Sour can be a major hit at your Diwali party. This cocktail brings a bold, tangy twist to the traditional cocktail, blending the rich depth of whisky with the unique tartness of tamarind and a burst of fresh lime. Its a perfect fusion of familiar and exotic flavours that delivers a refreshing and vibrant experience, explains Vijay Prakash, creator of this signature drink at Smoke House Deli, and beverage head (north and east) at Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality pvt. ltd. IngredientsBourbon or whisky 60 mlTamarind paste (or tamarind concentrate) 30 mlFresh lime juice 30 mlSimple syrup 15 mlLemon slice and mint sprig, for garnish Instructions In a cocktail shaker, pour the whisky combined with tamarind paste, lime juice, and simple syrup. Add ice to the shaker and shake well for about 10 to 15 seconds to chill and mix the ingredients well. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint. HibiscusCollins For those who prefer gin, this floral twist to the classic Tom Collins is incredibly easy to prepare and requires minimal effort. The build-up method allows you to layer the ingredients directly into the glass, eliminating the need for shaking or stirring. Indulge yourself in the captivating fusion of floral and spicy notes with the utmost ease, says Manoj Joshi, senior bartender at Ophelia. IngredientsGin 60 mlHibiscus tea 15 mlLime juice 15 mlGinger honey syrup 20 mlSoda water, for topping upDehydrated hibiscus, for rimmingMint sprig, for garnishMethod1. Rim a highball glass with dehydrated hibiscus. To do this, moisten the rim with a lime wedge and dip it into a plate of dehydrated hibiscus.2. Fill the prepared glass with ice cubes.3. Add gin, hibiscus tea, lime juice, and ginger honey syrup.4. Top up the glass with soda water.5. Garnish with a mint sprig. SpicedLanternWhat would a celebration be without tequila? This cocktail is one of my favourite festive creationseach sip captures the warmth of celebration, blending rich flavours, poses Aryaan Sundaram, beverage operations executive at Monika Alcobev. Showcasing the versatility of tequila and the power of spices to elevate a drink, the Spiced Lantern may offer a fiery twist to your festivities. Ingredients Jose Cuervo Reposado 60 mlCointreau 10 mlSpice syrup (clove, nutmeg, star anise) 10 mlFresh lime juice 20 mlMarigold flower, for garnish Method 1. In a shaker, combine the Jose Cuervo Reposado, Cointreau, spice syrup, and fresh lime juice.2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds until well chilled.3. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.4. Pour in a coupe glass, and garnish with a marigold flower for a festive touch. Madras Cafe Inspired by the legendary Espresso Martini, this South Indian twist will surely illicit intrigue from your guests. Weve infused it with flavours that pay homage to Southern India using regional staples like passion fruit, pineapple, and coffee. The addition of curry leaves, a dominant element in South Indian cuisine, brings a unique aromatic touch to the cocktail, blending tradition with innovation, shares Shivram Verma, assistant food and beverage manager, Merlins 99 - The Whisky Lounge, The Orchid Hotel Mumbai. IngredientsVodka 45 mlPineapple juice 60 mlCurry leaves 4-5 fresh leavesCoarsely ground coffee powder (preferably South Indian coffee beans) 3-4 tablespoonsPassion fruit syrup 10 mlHot water 1 cup Method Place the coffee powder in the upper chamber of a South Indian filter. Gently press the coffee grounds down with the pressing disc. Pour 240 ml hot water (just off the boil) over the coffee powder in the upper chamber. Cover the top and let it sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the decoction to drip into the lower chamber. Muddle fresh curry leaves to release their aromatic oils. Add pineapple juice for a tropical kick. Pour in a 30 ml South Indian filter coffee decoction for a bold flavour infusion. Mix in vodka and passion fruit syrup. Shake everything in a cocktail shaker until well blended and chilled. Strain into a coupe glass for a smooth presentation. Imli ka Boota An exciting fusion of tequila with tangy tamarind, this cocktail can be whipped up in no time with commonly found ingredients in your kitchen. The Imli ka Boota is a refreshing and tangy cocktail that captures the essence of traditional Indian flavours. The tequila provides a smooth base, while the orange juice adds a touch of citrussy sweetness. The tamarind syrup lends a unique and complex depth, complemented by the aromatic chaat masala, says Sonali Mullick, mixologist at Hitchki India. Ingredients Tequila 60 mlOrange juice 30 mlTamarind syrup 15 mlChaat masala 1 gm Method Putchaat masalaon the rim of the cocktail glass. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, orange juice, tamarind syrup, and chaat masala to the shaker. Shake the shaker vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds to chill the ingredients and combine the flavours. Strain the mixture into the prepared cocktail glass. Kesar InfusionCombining flavours of saffron with honey and cardamom in a cocktail can yield an elegant concoction. Designed to be a refreshing mix of gin with the sweet and spicy flavours of honey-cardamom water and a splash of lemon, this balanced cocktail elevates traditional flavours into a sophisticated, modern Martini, poses Akshay Singh, bartender at Deltin. Ingredients Gin 45 mlHoney cardamom-infused water 30 mlLemon juice 10 mlSugar syrup 5 mlSaffron threads, for garnish Method Gather a cocktail shaker, a martini glass, and a bar spoon. Pour the gin, honey-cardamom infused water, lemon juice, and sugar syrup into the cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice cubes. Close the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds to chill the ingredients and blend the flavours. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish the drink with a few saffron threads for a touch of colour and additional flavour. For a truly refreshing drink, chill the martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes before serving. Tamarind Old Fashioned Another intriguing twist on a classic cocktail, the Tamarind Old Fashioned marries traditional flavours with innovative. The tamarind adds a tangy, fruity depth that complements the smokiness of the whisky, according to Vikram Ku, Head of World Class India and HNI Advocacy, Diageo India. Whisky enthusiasts can experiment with different types of whisky and tamarind syrups, as they can lead to a wide range of flavour profiles. Ingredients Johnnie Walker Black Label 60 mlTamarind paste 10 mlJaggery syrup 10 mlAngostura bitters 2 dashesOrange peel, for garnish Method 1. In a mixing glass, combine Johnnie Walker, tamarind paste, jaggery syrup, and bitters.2. Add ice and stir for 15 to 20 seconds.3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.4. Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink and drop it into the glass. Also Read:Diwali 2024: Indian chefs share healthier ways to prepare festive sweets

Elevate your Diwali celebrations with these Indian-inspired cocktails

UNLOCK FULL ACCESS

Next Story : Telangana bans egg-based mayonnaise due to suspected food poisoning cases

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

Spotted in the city: Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit and others

Yashasvi Jaiswal's maiden century in format helps India clinch series

Govt caps airfares at Rs 7,500-Rs 18,000 across India amid IndiGo crisis

Adam Gilchrist criticises Ollie Pope's approach on day 3 in Brisbane

IndiGo operates 1,500 flights on Saturday; 95 pc of network covered: Airline