A Picante is one of the hottest cocktails in India right now, loved for its sweet-spicy kick and burst of flavors. Taking inspiration from the beloved cocktail, Jishnu A.J. from Mumbai’s 8ish has innovated a cocktail that takes it up a notch.
The elegant cocktail is built around familiar kitchen ingredients and reimagined for the modern, sophisticated cocktail experience. And if you’re insisting on its recipe to try it at home, we’ve got your back!
In our latest IP, Bar Talks, we’re creating a space where bars, bartenders, and signature cocktails take center stage through stories, recipes, and personalities behind them. For this edition, Bar Talks knocks the door at 8ish, Nariman Point, Mumbai. We’re sharing with you the recipe of Held in Buffer, a signature cocktail made at 8ish by Jishnu A.J.
Inspired by the Picante, one of India's favorite tequila cocktails, this drink adds new layers through smoked paprika, roasted bell pepper, pineapple and honey. Built around familiar kitchen ingredients reimagined in the glass, it's paired with a jackfruit papad and flavored cream cheese for a playful take on the classic chakna experience.
Ingredients
Method
Jishnu A.J. helms the bar and his craft transforms the act of drinking into a quiet ritual.
A seasoned mixologist with over a decade of experience at Ekaa, KOKO, Four Seasons Mumbai, and Marriott Kochi, Jishnu has also represented India on renowned global platforms such as the Bombay Sapphire Creator’s Hub, Grey Goose House of Change, and The Botanist Bartenders Competition.
“The idea was to create drinks that feel deeply personal,” says Jishnu A.J. “Each cocktail tells a story of where it comes from, what it evokes, and how it makes you feel. Our menu is built around three moods: comforting, experimental, and ritualistic. Each represents a different state of mind, brought to life through ingredients that travel from Mugwort and Tongba in the North East to Guava Leaf and Turmeric Leaf from the coastal farms of India. It’s a blend of indigenous knowledge, modern technique, and a little bit of emotion in every glass.”
Also Read: Celebrate World Tequila Day With These Must-Try Tequila Cocktails In Mumbai
8ish stands as a gentle rebellion in a city that thrives on schedules, rushed chaos, and traffic. It is not a destination, but a ritual where showing up is enough and staying longer is the better idea, always.
Designed by Shweta Kaushik, 8ish’s interiors are the perfect balance of polish and ease. Amber lighting, deep maroon marble, tarnished copper, lenticular artwork shifting between Salvador Dalí and John Lennon, and breezy al fresco keeps the vibe immaculately sophisticated yet enjoyable.
At 8ish, every cocktail begins with an ingredient and the story it tells. The bar’s approach to mixology is ingredient first; flavor leads the way, guided by curiosity and craft. The bar sources its ingredients thoughtfully from different corners of India and honors local communities and time honored techniques.
Behind the bar, traditional and modern methods coexist in harmony. Steam distillation, hydrosol extraction, lacto-fermentation, pickling, and spherification are used to create in-house wines, infusions, and ferments, each bringing depth and distinction to the glass. And the result shows – through the cocktails that are expressive yet balanced, sophisticated yet rooted in craft.
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Held in Buffer is a deliciously crafted cocktail that uses familiar kitchen ingredients to build a layered drink. With ingredients like roasted bell pepper, paprika-infused tequila, and pineapple juice, the cocktail is a burst of sweet-spicy notes sure to tingle your taste buds.
8ish is located in Nariman Point, Mumbai
A classic Picante cocktail (popularized as the Picante de la Casa) requires tequila reposado, fresh lime juice, agave syrup, fresh red or green chili slices, and fresh coriander (cilantro).
A Picante is made by using tequila, most commonly reposado tequila.
