It’s almost mid-October and light pollution is at its best. Diwali is right around the corner and it’s festive everywhere. And the people are just so excited that it’s driving twenty-somethings who live away from home, crazy. If you are someone who appreciates offbeat festivity like we do, you’ll enjoy the following desi cocktails with festive tweaks. Also, they will last all the way till summer.
The One With Paan
Paan is such an integral item to locals throughout North India, and it’s a part of most of our celebrations as well. Paying an ode to this culturally relevant Indian delicacy, here’s a cocktail recipe that will tingle your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- 2 fresh paan leaves
- 4 cardamom
- 1 spoon gulkand
- 45 ml vodka
- 15 ml Sambuca
- 1 Maraschino cherry
Instructions:
- Muddle the paan leaf, gulkand, and cardamom in a cocktail shaker
- Add vodka and sambuca to this concoction. Add ice and shake well
- Fine strain this into a glass filled with ice and paan leaves. Garnish with cardamom and cherry
Boozy Shikanji
Another quintessential Indian homemade drink, Shikanji has been a part of our life for so long, yet we never realized its potential to become an easy cocktail. All it requires is some vodka and ice and tada, you have a beautiful boozy drink that will make you feel at home.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml vodka
- 30 ml lime juice
- 45 ml sugar syrup
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 1 tbsp Shikanji salt
- 6 ice cubes
Instructions:
- Add all the ingredients in a blender with ice and blend
- Pour into a glass, top up to taste with water and serve
Curry Scotch Smash
Don’t get grossed out, there is no amount of curry gravy in it. The only similarity between a curry and this drink is the amazing flavor. And it’s super easy to make!
Ingredients:
- 60ml blended scotch
- 25ml lemon juice
- 25ml curry simple syrup
- Handful of mint
Method:
- Combine, shake and strain
Aam Panna Cocktail
I get that it’s not mango season, but we all love Aam Panna and with an Aam Panna-flavoured vodka concoction, you have the best of adulthood and childhood.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium raw mango
- 2 pinches of black salt
- Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom (elaichi) powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
- Saffron – few strands
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 30 ml vodka
Method:
- Mix the ingredients well in a shaker
- Add crushed ice, strain, and serve
Jaljeera Cocktail
Another drink in the list of desi cocktails that makes us all nostalgic is Jaljeera. A boozy twist on it makes for the most fun cocktail ever. It’s so simple to make that you’ll cry tears of joy.
- 35 ml vodka
- 200 ml club soda
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 pinch Jaljeera powder
Instructions:
- Add vodka, club soda, lemon juice, and jaljeera powder to a glass full of ice
- Stir mixture well
Summing Up
And there you have it – festive cocktails with a desi twist to brighten up your festivities and keep the celebrations going all year long! Whether you’re raising a glass to the festival lights or just adding a splash of desi flair to your gatherings, these drinks will bring the perfect balance of tradition and fun. Cheers to a flavorful and festive season ahead!
FAQs
What Cocktails Go Well With Indian Food?
Spicy margaritas, mango martinis, and ginger mojitos all pair well with Indian flavors.
Is Lemon Juice Good For Cocktails?
Yes, it is! Lemon juice, like lime juice, is rich in citric acid and low in sugar. However, lemons are more acidic and packed with extra Vitamin C. They’re versatile in cocktails year-round.
Which Scotch Is Tasty?
Scotch whiskey comes in different taste notes and smoothness which opens a wide palette to its consumers. Depending on your preference, you can choose the one that suits your taste.
How To Drink Scotch?
Scotch whiskey can be consumed neat or over ice. This lets the consumer taste the whiskey’s original flavor and taste its highlighting notes. You can also add mixers if that’s your style.
How Is Sambuca Best Served?
Sambuca can be served neat or with water, and also pairs well with any number of spirits.
Is Sambuca Stronger Than Vodka?
Sambuca is considered more potent than most liqueurs, however, less potent than vodka.
