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Celebrate World Whisky Day with inventive cocktails that put a twist on tradition.
Whisky your way: Sip, stir, or shake it up this World Whisky Day with bold blends and creative pours.
World Whisky Day is a global celebration of the rich heritage, craftsmanship, and evolving creativity of whisky. Observed on the third Saturday of May, it invites enthusiasts and novices alike to savour the spirit in all its forms—from neat pours and classic drams to modern, mixology-driven cocktails. Whether it’s smoky Scotch, smooth Bourbon, or Indian craft labels, there’s a whisky and a way to enjoy it for everyone. This year, elevate your experience with a range of inventive whisky cocktails curated by leading mixologists that promise bold flavours, refreshing twists, and the perfect reason to raise your glass.
Mango Mint to BeBy: Hemali Bendre, Diageo India
Ingredients:
50 ml Johnnie Walker Black Label
20 ml Mango Puree
8 Mint Leaves
30 ml Fresh Lime Juice
15 ml Honey Syrup
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
3 dashes Vegan Foamer
Method: Shake all ingredients well.
Glassware: Old Fashioned
Garnish: Freeze-dried mango slice, basil leaf
Ice: Cubes
Grant’s Tropical Fiesta
Ingredients
Grant’s Triple Wood 60ml
Ginger Juice 10ml
Pineapple Juice 30ml
Lime 20ml
Ginger Ale
Garnish
Pineapple Leaves
Method:
Pour Whisky, Ginger Juice, Pineapple Juice & Lime Juice over Ice in Highball Glass.
Top up with Ginger Ale.
Garnish with Pineapple Leaves.
MOCIÓNBy: Palash Gaikwad, Ocho Mumbai
Ingredients:
45 ml Dark Rum
25 ml Cacao Liqueur
30 ml Pineapple Tepache
½ bar spoon Ginger Juice
3 drops Bitters
7.5 ml Lemon Cordial
Handful of Mint Leaves
Ginger Ale (top up)
Method: Shake all ingredients (except ginger ale). Strain into a clay cup, top with ginger ale and crushed ice.
Glassware: Clay Cup
Garnish: Mint sprig, dehydrated pineapple, Mexican flag
Ice: Crushed + Cubes
Pinacolada Whisky SparklerBy: Hemali Bendre, Diageo India
Ingredients:
50 ml Johnnie Walker Blonde
30 ml Pineapple & Vanilla Cordial
80 ml Coconut Soda
Method: Build all ingredients in the glass.
Glassware: Highball
Garnish: Torched pineapple slice
Ice: Clear spear
Plum Zinger MuleBy: Hemali Bendre, Diageo India
Ingredients:
45 ml Black & White Scotch Whisky
20 ml Plum Jam
5 ml Fresh Lime Juice
0.5 ml Black Salt
3 Basil Leaves
90 ml Ginger Ale
Method: Build in glass, sprinkle black salt on top.
Glassware: Ceramic Glass
Garnish: Plum wedge, basil sprig
Ice: Crushed
Summer BreezeBy: Hemali Bendre, Diageo India
Ingredients:
45 ml Black Dog Scotch Whisky
15 ml Dark Malt Syrup
15 ml Banana Liqueur
20 ml Fresh Lime Juice
Method: Shake well.
Glassware: Nick & Nora
Garnish: Salted banana chip
Ice: None
Monkey Sundowner
Ingredients
60ml Monkey Shoulder
20ml peach syrup
20ml lime juice
Grapefruit shrub (to top up)
Garnish
Edible flower
Method
Shake the Monkey Shoulder, peach syrup, and lime juice with ice until well mixed. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Top up with grapefruit shrub and gently stir. Garnish with an edible flower for a visually stunning finish.
DUALIDADBy: Palash Gaikwad, Ocho Mumbai
Ingredients:
60 ml Bourbon Whiskey
30 ml Pomegranate Juice
15 ml Pomegranate Molasses
15 ml Condensed Coconut Milk
4–5 Basil Leaves
Method: Shake well with ice, strain into glass, top with tahini black sesame coconut foam.
Glassware: Tiffany-style Rock Glass
Garnish: Sesame-coconut foam, basil leaf
Ice: Cubes
Candyflip
By: Rahul Kamath
Inspired by: Cologne Carnival
Ingredients:
20 ml Campari
35 ml Fluffy Grapefruit Juice
5 ml Lime Juice
15 ml Thyme Syrup
Top up with Beer
Method: Shake all except beer. Strain into glass with ice, top with beer.
Glassware: Highball
Garnish: Grapefruit twist or thyme sprig (optional)
Ice: Cubes
Java Jamboree
By: Rahul Kamath
Inspired by: Notting Hill Carnival
Ingredients:
40 ml Jim Beam
20 ml In-house Coffee Liqueur
20 ml Fresh Espresso
5 ml Demerara Syrup
Method: Shake well with ice, fine strain into glass.
Glassware: Nick & Nora
Garnish: Coconut-miso foam
Ice: None
High TeaBy Sanket & Ilvika, House of Malaka Spice
Ingredients:
60 ml Whiskey
30 ml Apple Tea Syrup*
15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
Soda (top up)
Method: Shake whiskey, syrup, and lime. Strain into glass with ice, top with soda.
Glassware: Highball
Garnish: Apple slice or mint sprig (optional)
Ice: Cubes
*Apple Tea Syrup: Simmer pressure-cooked apple and ginger tea with sugar until thick.
The Sip Sour
Ingredients:
⅓ parts Jameson Original
1 part Apple Juice
½ part Cinnamon Syrup
1 part Coconut Water
⅚ part Lemon Juice
1 part Egg White
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
Method: Shake all with ice, strain into glass.
Glassware: Coupe
Garnish: None
Ice: Cubes (for shaking only)
Citrus Gold Rush
Ingredients:
40 ml Chivas XV
20 ml Lemon Juice
20 ml Honey Syrup
40 ml Soda Water
Method: Shake first three ingredients with ice. Strain into glass, top with soda.
Glassware: Highball
Garnish: Orange slice, mint sprig
Ice: Cubes
SundownerBy Woodburns Whisky
Ingredients:
45 ml Woodburns Whisky
30 ml Concentrated Black Tea
Top with Ginger Ale
Method: Build in a highball glass. Stir gently.
Glassware: Highball
Garnish: Lemon twist or mint sprig
Ice: Cubes
BoulevardierBy Woodburns Whisky
Ingredients:
45 ml Woodburns Whisky
30 ml Sweet Vermouth
30 ml Italian Bitters
Method: Stir all ingredients with ice, strain into glass.
Glassware: Old Fashioned
Garnish: Orange twist
Ice: Large cube
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