23 July,2011 01:41 AM IST | | Sharin Bhatti
Mix tapes and mix drinks have been a rite of passage of sorts. So, when we recently had the chance to revisit not just the taste of one's childhood, but of the city's many flavours, we happily braved our way through muck, slush and the rain-swept streets to south Mumbai's Konkan Cafe.
Mixologist Niraj garnishing the rim of the martini glass with chocolate
sauce to make Kulfi Jugalbandi;u00a0Kulfi Jugalbandi and Samudra
Bhet. Pics/ SatyajIt Desai
The beige and brown, dim-lit eatery is modelled around a Mangalorean home, with rustic rope-woven chairs strewn with cushions, brass cutlery, oven-baked brick tiles on the walls, an open bread kitchen and slippery brown ceramic tiles on the bar.
Propping ourselves on tall, square barstools, woven around the stumps with rope, we were ready for our cocktail session. Our mixologist for the evening is Niraj Kumar Pandey, who co-authored the tropical cocktail menu, and is ready to mix, pour, and sample the drinks with us.
First up, he twists a Kulfi Jugalbandi. Essentially a White Russian (Vodka, Kahlua and Cointreau) with their kitchen-made kulfi and chocolate sauce; it's a diner favourite. In his elegant display of skill, Niraj first chills a stem martini glass with clear ice. Next, he garnishes the rim with hot, sticky chocolate sauce and tops it with chocolate flakes.
The spirits are mixed with molten malai kulfi and poured into a tall glass, which Niraj gives a quick shake to. This is followed by the grand ritual of pouring. Niraj tilts the cocktail shaker over the garnished martini glass and carefully empties the contents. Next, he tops it up with four Chocos (Yup, this is a real dessert!), and drizzles some chocolate sauce on top. Voila!
Post our first sip of the chocolate brown drink (reminiscent of slush and muck, did you say), we understand why it's a favourite on their beverage list. On a cold, rainy evening, this is comfort in a glass. The sweetness of the kulfi, chocolate and coffee-flavoured Kahlua is cut by the dry Vodka. The sharp tang of orange from the Cointreau settles in as a final tease in the mouth. Beachfront, shack, rain, slush, drying fish and Kulfi Jugalbandi is what you need to coat your stomach on a wet night.
For balmy evenings, our Sir Mix-a-lot had another refreshing option: Samudra Bhet. A five-minute drink, Niraj blends strawberry liqueur, Bacardi with passion fruit puree, pineapple and orange juices. A twist of orange rind is thrown in the tall conical glass and topped with a tiny umbrella shaker and cocktail cherries.
Throwing caution to the saccharine heady after-effects of the previous drink, we couldn't wait to sip on this likely refreshing option through a straw. We weren't disappointed. Through a cocktail-place continuum, we felt transported to a coastal seaside on a pleasant afternoon, listening to waves through the concoction. The warm white rum played with the bittersweet strawberry liqueur and the juice potion to brighten our senses.
The happy-high post the tasting sessions saw us wade home through the still rain-doused evening. This time though, we had new tastes to add to the Mumbai monsoon. Cheers to that!
Till: July 31
At: Konkan Cafe at Vivanta by Taj President, Cuffe Parade.
Call: 66650808
City-inspired cocktails
Cyclone in the city The Citrus Cyclone is a cool mix of vodka, mint, lime, ginger and kokum. It tastes similar
to the Caprioska.
At: Hard Rock Cafe, Bombay Dyeing, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli.
Call: 24382888
Jewel in the crown
The guys here serve up a concoction of Bombay Sapphire, stirred with Maraschino liqueur and garnished with a twist of orange and Vodka. The drink is shaken with cardamom-infused dry vermouth and served with a Kashmiri chilli-stuffed olive.
At: Harbour Bar, Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, near Gateway of India, Colaba.
Call: 66653366
Dharavi meri jaan
This Bandra restaurant pays ode to the largest slum in South-East Asia, with the Dharavi Cocktail: A dirty martini with a splash of olive brine added to soften the stiffness of gin and vermouth.
At: Soul Fry Casa, Pali Hill, Pali Naka Road, Bandra (W).
Call: 26046892
