6 Must-Try Cocktail Recipes From Mixologists Across The Country

India’s cocktail culture is buzzing with creativity, as innovative mixologists across the country are curating unique cocktails to elevate drinking experiences. From chic city hotspots to cosy neighbourhood lounges, top mixologists are serving up bold flavours and exciting combinations.

Dive into our curated selection of standout cocktail recipes, as mixologists across the country share recipes that will bring India’s vibrant cocktail scene right to your living room. With simple instructions and easy-to-find ingredients, discover well-kept mixology secrets that are bound to impress anyone with these delicious, trendsetting cocktails.

Southern Dancing Angel by Manisha Mhaiskey, Bartender, Aloft, Outer Ring Road, Bangalore

The perfect pour for coffee lovers, this cocktail offers a refreshing twist on your favourite brew. Enjoy the invigorating blend of Absolut vodka, coffee, pineapple juice, and hazelnut syrup, garnished with a coffee bean for an extra touch of sophistication.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Absolut vodka
• 10ml Coffee decoction
• 25ml Pineapple juice
• 5ml Hazelnut syrup
• Coffee bean for garnish
• Glassware: Tabara set

Steps:

1. Mix Absolut vodka, coffee decoction, pineapple juice, and hazelnut syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a tabara set glass.
3. Garnish with a coffee bean and enjoy!

Goma Ae Revamp by Madhumita Maltesh, Head Bartender, UNO Izakaya by JW Marriott Hotel, Bangalore

Delivering a sophisticated blend of Chivas with mango, spinach, and a hint of Japanese gomae dressing, this unique cocktail is a bold window into world-class flavour profiles that are sure to impress mature palettes.

Ingredients:

• 60ml Chivas
• 60ml Mango & Spinach Juice
• 30ml Sesame Dressing
• 15ml Lemon Juice
• 15ml Simple Syrup
• 30ml Milk

Steps:

1. Combine Chivas, mango & spinach juice, sesame dressing, lemon juice, simple syrup, and milk in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well until chilled and well mixed.
3. Strain into a glass and serve.

Flamingo Highball by Akshay Thakur, Beverage Program Lead at JW Marriott Aerocity, New Delhi

Brighten up your home bar with the Flamingo Highball, a refreshingly tangy cocktail that combines the crispness of gin with the super-powered zest of homemade Supasawa – guaranteeing a revitalising experience to invigorate the senses with every sip.

Ingredients:

• 45ml Gin
• 90ml Homemade Supasawa
• 90ml Sparkling Water
• Kaffir lime salt rim

Steps:

1. Prepare the glass by rimming it with kaffir lime salt.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Pour in the gin and homemade Supasawa.
4. Top off with sparkling water and gently stir.
5. Garnish as desired.

The Tail of Calmness by Shubham Rawat, Bar Executive, W Goa

Get ready for a playful twist with The Tail of Calmness, a vibrant cocktail combines Beefeater Gin with the zesty freshness of kiwi and lime. The star of the show? The sweet and salted kiwi candy that makes this drink a truly unforgettable treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 Fresh Kiwi
• 60ml Beefeater Gin
• 25ml Fresh Lime Juice
• 20ml Simple Syrup
• 4-5 drops Sandalwood Bitters
• Dash of Tonic
• Garnish: Sweet and Salted Kiwi Candy
• Glassware: Old Fashioned Glass with Ice Block

Steps:

1. Muddle the fresh kiwi in a shaker.
2. Add Beefeater Gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and sandalwood bitters.
3. Shake well with ice and strain into an old fashioned glass over an ice block.
4. Top with a dash of tonic.
5. Garnish with sweet and salted kiwi candy.
   

   Jamun Highball by Jonas Ax, Advocacy Lead at Bacardi India

This Jamun Highball marries the rich, smooth notes of DEWAR’S 12 Year Old Scotch whisky with the zesty, aromatic essence of jamun, creating a cocktail that’s as uniquely Indian as it is delicious. The interplay between the whisky’s depth and the vibrant jamun syrup offers a refreshingly creative kick.

Ingredients:

• 60ml DEWAR’S 12 Year Old Scotch whisky
• 25ml Jamun Syrup
• 15ml Lemon Juice
• Top with Soda

Steps:

1. Layer the whisky, jamun syrup, and lemon juice in a highball glass
2. Fill it with ice and stir till chilled
3. Top off with more ice and soda.
4. Garnish with a lemon wedge or wheel

Picante el Mango by Jonas Ax, Advocacy Lead, Bacardi India

Elevate your cocktail game with PATRÓN Reposado Picante el Mango – a spicy, sour tropical treat tailor-made for bold, Indian palates. Top tip: use seasonal mangoes to combine the agave spirit of PATRÓN with the juicy freshness of mango and the heat of chilli for an unforgettable flavour experience.

Ingredients:

• 45ml PATRÓN Reposado
• 3-4 Mango Chunks
• 20ml Lime Juice
• 4 Jalapeno Pieces
• 10 Coriander Leaves
• 5ml Agave Syrup (to balance)

Steps:

1. Add all ingredients into a shaker.
2. Muddle the chili, mango, and coriander.
3. Add ice, shake well, and strain over ice cubes.
4. Half salt rim of the Old Fashioned glass and garnish with the stem and end of a red pepper.
5. Serve in an Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes.