Once considered an indigenous liquor, the Mahua or Mahura is slowly grabbing the limelight in premium restaurants, and Bandra Born just got it right. As the name suggests, Bandra Born is located in Mumbai’s hip and happening Bandra suburb. Within a span of a year, the restaurant has left an indelible mark in Mumbai’s vibrant food scene and has added one more feather in its cap by introducing the world’s and India’s first Mahua Bar!
What Is Mahua Liquor?
The Mahua liquor is a delightful drink obtained from the bright yellow flowers of the Mahua tree (Madhuca longifolia). It is made especially in India’s tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat, known by the name of ‘Mond’. The liquor has been an integral part of indigenous cultures, and is the oldest indigenous liquor of India.
The British, afraid that the liquor might pose a threat to public health, banned its distillation. This ban continued well after India’s independence, categorizing it as country liquor. However, the Madhya Pradesh Government declared it to be a ‘heritage liquor’ in 2021, giving it a new status under excise laws.
Bandra Born’s Mahua Bar
With its innovative approach, Bandra Born is offering guests a taste of the indigenous liquor and is also concocting quirky cocktails from the same. The menu features 10 unique drinks featuring Six Brothers Small Batch Mahua liquor in the most creative ways. It is India’s first luxury Mahua spirit made by double-distilling and platinum-filtering the heritage spirit. It has notes that are sweet, earthy, and a little bit spicy, and the restaurant proudly says that it reflects their own spirit!
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We tried the Cocktail Tribal Negroni and Kadak Nimbu Sharbat, and we were pleasantly surprised. The indigenous liquor pairs up well with sweet and sour flavors, so it is only natural to find a Nimbu Paani variant on the menu. It also features classic cocktails like the Negroni and the Moscow Mule with a Mahua twist.
In Conversation With The Bar’s Manager Mr. Raviraj Shetty
We stopped by the bar for a quick chat with the Bar’s Manager, Mr. Raviraj Shetty to understand why they chose to go with a Mahua Bar. He stated that the heritage liquor shows characteristics of tequila and Mezcal – smooth like the former and smoky like the latter. This unique blend of textures makes Mahua truly stand out from the crowd.
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Bandra Born’s Christmas-Special Cocktail Menu
The Bandra-based restaurant recently introduced its Christmas special cocktail menu. So, obviously we had to try out a few of their offerings while trying out Christmas cocktails in Bandra. The menu features delectable drinks like Eggnog After Dark, Elf On The Shelf, and even Adult Hot Chocolate!
We tried their Plum Cake – a cocktail combining The Singleton 12YO, vanilla, orange, nuts, and the classic tutti-frutti. The drink definitely captured the essence of nostalgic plum cakes most of us have had at our grandma’s place. We then took a sip of their Adult Hot Chocolate – a drink combining Johnnie Walker Blonde with hot chocolate. It was warm, chocolatey, and paired well with the alcohol. Overall, the drinks packed a solid punch and we were left wanting for more.
Bandra Born: Timings, Price, And Address
Timings: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM; 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Price: INR 2,200 for two, excluding alcohol
Address: Rose Minar, 87, Chapel Rd, Annexe, Reclamation, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400050
Contact: 086577 38778
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