Kapil Mohan of the iconic rum brand recently passed away. Experts share their cocktail picks inspired by the dark rum
Illustration/Ravi Jadhav
Big bad monk
"Old Monk has been the first drink for several Indians. The ones who are loyal to it stick to it no matter how old they grow. It has character and a unique flavour of spice. It is easily distinguishable," says Pranav Mody, mixologist, The Chocolate Spoon Company.
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Ingredients
30ml vodka
30ml tequila
30ml gin
30ml Old Monk
30ml triple sec
60ml sour mix
60ml Coke
Method
In a big tall glass add ice then add vodka, gin, tequila, Old Monk, triple sec and sour mix. Top with Coke.
Mai tai
"Several people at our bar prefer having Old Monk cocktails. The most popular one is the JLWA mai tai. We also do a paan-infused Old Monk. Its signature vanilla flavour is what makes it stand out," says Maheswar Panigrahi, corporate bar manager, JLWA.
Ingredients
45ml Old Monk
20ml passion fruit red wine
5ml lemon juice
30ml pineapple juice
30ml orange juice
15ml triple sec
10ml orgeat syrup
Method
Mix all the ingredients together in a shaker. Pour in a glass over ice.
Cozy Monk
"It has put India on the map in the rum universe. With its price point, it will always be a beloved label. Old Monk has its own personality that gives a cocktail a character; it complements and enhances the cocktail with its distinct flavour. All it needs is the right ingredients to make for the perfect drink," says Abhhilash Menon, mixologist, The Studs – Sports Bar and Grill.
Ingredients
60ml Old Monk
150ml apple juice
10ml maple syrup
1 stick cinnamon
1 no star anise
1 no clove
2 dices ginger
10gm crusted fresh black pepper
10gm unsalted butter
Method
Simmer apple juice with the spices and maple syrup. Strain the juice once it is nice and hot. Top it up with Old Monk. Garnish it with a scoop of unsalted butter.
Spice route
"Old Monk as a rum is nostalgic and its popularity has grown just by word of mouth. It is truly a spirit any Indian can be proud of. It goes well with mace, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices. It can also be paired with food which has a variety of spices. It does have a strong flavour of caramel, which with correct dilution and balance can be altered to a great cocktail," shares Varun Sudhakar, head mixologist, The Project Series.
Ingredients
45ml Old Monk
3 dash angostura bitters
15ml mace-infused port wine
1 lemon zest
Method
Put all ingredients except the lemon zest into a mixing glass. Add ice and stir till ice cold.Strain it over an ice block in an old-fashioned glass and garnish with the zest of a lemon.
Espresso Monktini
"India had never seen a homegrown rum brand before Old Monk. The flavour appeals to a lot of people because of the inherent sweetness. The best thing about it is the quality, at such a low price. I’ve never faced a hangover after Old Monk!" says Raghu Shetty, head bartender, British Brewing Company, Lower Parel.
Ingredients
60ml Old Monk
30ml Kahlúa
45ml espresso shot
20ml sugar syrup
4/5 coffee beans
Method
In a Boston shaker, add the Kahlúa, old monk and an espresso shot with sugar syrup. Fill the shaker up with cubed ice and shake the concoction for about 20 seconds. Pour it into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with the coffee beans.
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