Diwali 2026: Follow these recipes for 7 easy cocktails to serve at your next party

Diwali parties are as much about good company lively games and festive food as they are about what is being poured into the glasses But playing host need not mean spending the evening behind the bar mixing elaborate drinksThe trick is to keep the cocktail menu simple with recipes that use a handful of readily available ingredients and take just a few minutes to put togetherFrom a classic whisky highball and a tropical pineapple punch to a sparkling ginbased serve these easy cocktail recipes shared by mixologists and beverage experts make entertaining effortless Whether you are hosting a small gathering or a fullfledged card night these drinks let you spend less time preparing and more time celebratingClassic Whisky HighballA whisky highball is a simple refreshing cocktail that allows the flavour of the spirit to shine through without an elaborate preparation process ldquoI think the appeal of a highball is that it keeps things simple You still get to enjoy the flavour of the spirit just in a lighter more refreshing format that works really well with food When you are working with so few ingredients the temperature ice and proportions make all the differencerdquo says Vedant Newatia founder and head chef at Atelier V and Masala CodeIngredients45 ml Blended whisky135 ml Chilled soda waterLarge ice cubes as requiredSmall lemon peel optionalMethod1 Fill a chilled tall glass with ice2 Add the whisky followed by the soda water3 Stir gently once to combine4 Express the lemon peel over the drink and use it as a garnishPineapple PunchBringing together tropical flavours citrus notes and a spirited blend of gin and tequila this refreshing cocktail takes inspiration from Goa ldquoPineapple Punch brings together tropical flavours refreshing citrus notes and a spirited blend of gin and tequilardquo says Vijay Kumar mixologist at The Orchid Passaros GoaIngredients45 ml Gin10 ml Tequila10 ml Cointreau10 ml Fresh lime juiceCrushed or cubed ice as requiredFresh mint leaves for garnishPineapple slice for garnishMethod1 Add the gin tequila Cointreau and lime juice to a cocktail shaker2 Add ice and shake well3 Strain the mixture into an icefilled glass4 Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a pineapple slice before servingSlice of SeoulA refreshing combination of soju elderflower mint and orange this cocktail is an easy addition to a relaxed evening with friends ldquoItrsquos a refreshing aromatic drink that suits a relaxed evening with friends For a simple version at home use a readymade elderflower soda and add fresh mint and orange Keep the mixer chilled and add it just before serving so the drink arrives bright and fizzy without keeping you away from your guestsrdquo says Anwar Muzahir operations head at Serious Slice BangaloreIngredients90 ml Soju30 ml Elderflower syrup10 ml Lime juice90 ml Soda waterIce as requiredOrange and fresh mint for garnishMethod1 Fill a highball glass with ice2 Add the soju elderflower syrup and lime juice3 Stir to combine the ingredients4 Top with chilled soda water and stir gently5 Garnish with orange and fresh mint before servingTrinity 75Combining gin fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup with sparkling wine this cocktail makes for a celebratory yet uncomplicated serve ldquoTrinity 75 is the kind of cocktail that makes hosting feel a little more celebratory without demanding a long shopping list For easy entertaining measure the gin lemon and syrup ahead keep the sparkling wine chilled and shake each serving just before pouring Finish with the bubbles and a sprig of fresh mintrdquo says Suresh Vijayan restaurant manager at Heyou BengaluruIngredients60 ml Gin15 ml Sugar syrup15 ml Fresh lemon juiceSparkling wine to topIce for shakingFresh mint sprig for garnishMethod1 Add the gin sugar syrup and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice2 Shake well until chilled3 Strain into a chilled champagne flute4 Top with chilled sparkling wine5 Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and serveApple Cinnamon HighballCombining the natural sweetness of apple juice with the warmth of cinnamon and a fizzy finish this cocktail is an easy serve for festive hosting ldquoMaking a great cocktail at home doesnrsquot have to be complicated Sometimes itrsquos about taking familiar ingredients and finding interesting ways to bring them togetherrdquo says Deepak Mahar beverage manager at MKT at the ChanakyaIngredients60 ml Whisky60 ml Apple juice10 ml Fresh lemon juiceGinger ale to topCinnamon stick for garnishIce as requiredMethod1 Fill a highball glass with ice2 Pour in the whisky apple juice and fresh lemon juice3 Top with ginger ale4 Stir gently to combine5 Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve chilledNirvana RoyaleA light and refreshing highball this cocktail is an easytoprepare option for Diwali cardparty evenings ldquoNirvana Royale brings together fresh mint and lime for an easytomake serve that is light and refreshingrdquo says Michael DSouza master distiller at Paul John WhiskyIngredients60 ml Premium single malt whisky5 nos Fresh mint sprigs3 nos Lime wedges30 ml Sugar syrupSoda water to topIce as requiredMethod1 In a highball glass gently muddle the fresh mint sprigs and lime wedges2 Add the sugar syrup and single malt whisky3 Fill the glass with ice4 Top with soda water5 Stir gently to combine and serve immediatelyDevilrsquos MargaritaThis bold twist on the classic Margarita combines tequila fresh lime juice and sugar syrup finished with a float of red wine for a striking layered effect ldquoClaret or Cabernet Franc is recommended for the wine float although any red wine can be usedrdquo says Pradeep Kumar Prusty senior food and beverage executive at Lotus Eco Beach Resort KonarkIngredients45 ml Tequila Blanco30 ml Fresh lime juice20 ml Sugar syrup15 ml Red wineLime wedge 1 for garnishIce cubes as requiredMethod1 Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes2 Add the tequila fresh lime juice and sugar syrup3 Shake well until chilled4 Strain into a chilled cocktail glass5 Carefully pour the red wine over the top to create a float6 Garnish with a lime wedge and serve