There are moments in cinema when the real drama isn’t just in the dialogue, it’s in the drink. From bar-top breakdowns to quiet clinks of heartbreak, the glass in hand often speaks louder than words. And whether it's Bond's martini or Devdas’s brandy-soaked despair, alcohol on screen has become symbolic – of swagger, sorrow, seduction, or sheer chaos.
For Indian movie lovers, drinks in film aren’t just props, they’re plot points. So here’s a deliciously curated list of seven of the most iconic drinking scenes, equally split between Bollywood and Hollywood, and a breakdown of what was actually being poured when cinema got tipsy.
Movie: Devdas (2002)
Drink: Brandy
Why It’s Iconic: “Kaun kambakht bardaasht karne ke liye peeta hai?” – one of the most gut-wrenching lines in Bollywood, delivered through a cloud of despair and brandy vapours. SRK’s Devdas didn’t just drink – he made drinking poetic, painful, and legendary.
Movie: YJHD (2013)
Drink: Rum-based cocktails & Breezers
Why It’s Iconic: When Bunny and Naina get buzzed in Manali, it’s not about the booze – it’s about letting go. This scene gave us one of Bollywood’s rare fun-yet-emotional drunk moments, and made pre-mixed rum cool again.
Movie: Dr. No (1962) & beyond
Drink: Vodka Martini
Why It’s Iconic: The line, the delivery, the aura. Bond made the Vodka Martini a lifestyle. Even if you’ve never ordered one, you know exactly how he likes it. It’s not a drink – it’s a statement.
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Movie: Cocktail (2012)
Drink: Tequila
Why It’s Iconic: Veronica (Deepika Padukone) parties harder than most, but her shot glass hides a whole world of loneliness. This role proved that Bollywood could mix emotional depth with tequila-fuelled chaos – and still look fabulous.
Movie: The Big Lebowski (1998)
Drink: White Russian
Why It’s Iconic: The Dude doesn’t hustle, he sips. This cult classic made the White Russian the laziest, coolest drink in pop culture. No one does chaos with as much chilled-out energy as Jeffrey Lebowski.
Movie: Sholay (1975)
Drink: Country liquor (Desi Daru)
Why It’s Iconic: Before artisanal mezcal and craft cocktails, there was Gabbar’s gang, guzzling gritty desi daru in the dacoit heartland. It’s rustic, real, and absolutely unforgettable.
Movie: Sideways (2004)
Drink: Pinot Noir
Why It’s Iconic: A wine lover’s meltdown that had real-world consequences – Merlot sales actually dropped after this film. It’s a hilarious, passionate ode to how seriously we take our alcohol (and how movies can change what we order at dinner).
In the hands of the right director (and actor), a drink becomes more than a beverage – it’s a mirror, a mood, a metaphor. Be it Bond's martini or Devdas’s brandy, a simple pour can carry the weight of a character’s entire emotional arc.
So the next time you watch a film and spot a drink in hand, pay attention. It might be telling you more than the script ever could.
Cheers, filmy folks.
