Elevate your Diwali celebrations with these Indian-inspired cocktails

If you are planning a Diwali party and worried endlessly about the decor menu and entertainment Wersquove got you partially While traditional Indian sweet dishes take centrestage why not elevate your Diwali celebrations with some festive cocktails From the fiery spice of clove to the floral notes of marigold mixologists have drawn inspiration from the rich tapestry of Indian flavours Whether theyrsquore seasoned patrons or casual drinkers these innovative twists on classic cocktails are sure to impress your guests So as you gather with loved ones to celebrate Diwali raise a glass to the occasion and embrace the spirit of the festival of lights with these exquisite cocktailsCasablanca HighballHave you ever thought of using marigold flowers in your cocktails Rishabh Mehrotra mixologist at Cosy Box Delhi and Gurugram has reimagined the timeless whisky highball with the iconic flower He shares ldquoWith every sip of the Casablanca Highball the warmth of whisky blooms like marigoldsrdquo Mehrotra also shares tips to perfect his concoction ldquoRemember to adjust citrus to taste experiment with different whisky types and try substituting peach syrup with other fruit flavoursrdquoIngredients for Marigold infusionMarigold petals without green parts 100 gmWhisky 750 mlPeach syrup 15mlCitrus 10 mlSeltzer for topping upPeach slice for garnishMethod1 Wash rinse and dry marigold petals2 Soak petals in whisky for 24 hours in an airtight container3 Strain whisky into a clear bottle4 Fill a Highball glass with ice5 Pour in 60 ml of marigoldinfused whisky peach syrup and citrus6 Top with seltzer7 Stir gently8 Garnish with peach sliceTamarind Whisky SourAdding an Indian flair to a global staple the Tamarind whisky Sour can be a major hit at your Diwali party ldquoThis cocktail brings a bold tangy twist to the traditional cocktail blending the rich depth of whisky with the unique tartness of tamarind and a burst of fresh lime Itrsquos a perfect fusion of familiar and exotic flavours that delivers a refreshing and vibrant experiencerdquo explains Vijay Prakash creator of this signature drink at Smoke House Deli and beverage head north and east at Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality pvt ltdIngredientsBourbon or whisky 60 mlTamarind paste or tamarind concentrate 30 mlFresh lime juice 30 mlSimple syrup 15 mlLemon slice and mint sprig for garnishInstructionsIn a cocktail shaker pour the whisky combined with tamarind paste lime juice and simple syrupAdd ice to the shaker and shake well for about 10 to 15 seconds to chill and mix the ingredients wellStrain the mixture into a glass filled with iceGarnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of mintHibiscusCollinsFor those who prefer gin this floral twist to the classic Tom Collins is incredibly easy to prepare and requires minimal effort ldquoThe buildup method allows you to layer the ingredients directly into the glass eliminating the need for shaking or stirring Indulge yourself in the captivating fusion of floral and spicy notes with the utmost easerdquo says Manoj Joshi senior bartender at OpheliaIngredientsGin 60 mlHibiscus tea 15 mlLime juice 15 mlGinger honey syrup 20 mlSoda water for topping upDehydrated hibiscus for rimmingMint sprig for garnishMethod1 Rim a highball glass with dehydrated hibiscus To do this moisten the rim with a lime wedge and dip it into a plate of dehydrated hibiscus2 Fill the prepared glass with ice cubes3 Add gin hibiscus tea lime juice and ginger honey syrup4 Top up the glass with soda water5 Garnish with a mint sprigSpicedLanternWhat would a celebration be without tequila This cocktail is one of my favourite festive creationsmdasheach sip captures the warmth of celebration blending rich flavoursrdquo poses Aryaan Sundaram beverage operations executive at Monika Alcobev Showcasing the versatility of tequila and the power of spices to elevate a drink the Spiced Lantern may offer a fiery twist to your festivitiesIngredientsJose Cuervo Reposado 60 mlCointreau 10 mlSpice syrup clove nutmeg star anise 10 mlFresh lime juice 20 mlMarigold flower for garnishMethod1 In a shaker combine the Jose Cuervo Reposado Cointreau spice syrup and fresh lime juice2 Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds until well chilled3 Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass4 Pour in a coupe glass and garnish with a marigold flower for a festive touchMadras CafeInspired by the legendary Espresso Martini this South Indian twist will surely illicit intrigue from your guests ldquoWersquove infused it with flavours that pay homage to Southern India using regional staples like passion fruit pineapple and coffee The addition of curry leaves a dominant element in South Indian cuisine brings a unique aromatic touch to the cocktail blending tradition with innovationrdquo shares Shivram Verma assistant food and beverage manager Merlinrsquos 99 The Whisky Lounge The Orchid Hotel MumbaiIngredientsVodka 45 mlPineapple juice 60 mlCurry leaves 45 fresh leavesCoarsely ground coffee powder preferably South Indian coffee beans 34 tablespoonsPassion fruit syrup 10 mlHot water 1 cupMethodPlace the coffee powder in the upper chamber of a South Indian filter Gently press the coffee grounds down with the pressing discPour 240 ml hot water just off the boil over the coffee powder in the upper chamberCover the top and let it sit for 10ndash15 minutes to allow the decoction to drip into the lower chamberMuddle fresh curry leaves to release their aromatic oilsAdd pineapple juice for a tropical kickPour in a 30 ml South Indian filter coffee decoction for a bold flavour infusionMix in vodka and passion fruit syrupShake everything in a cocktail shaker until well blended and chilledStrain into a coupe glass for a smooth presentationImli ka BootaAn exciting fusion of tequila with tangy tamarind this cocktail can be whipped up in no time with commonly found ingredients in your kitchen ldquoThe Imli ka Boota is a refreshing and tangy cocktail that captures the essence of traditional Indian flavours The tequila provides a smooth base while the orange juice adds a touch of citrussy sweetness The tamarind syrup lends a unique and complex depth complemented by the aromatic chaat masalardquo says Sonali Mullick mixologist at Hitchki IndiaIngredientsTequila 60 mlOrange juice 30 mlTamarind syrup 15 mlChaat masala 1 gmMethodPutchaat masalaon the rim of the cocktail glassFill a cocktail shaker with iceAdd the tequila orange juice tamarind syrup and chaat masala to the shakerShake the shaker vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds to chill the ingredients and combine the flavoursStrain the mixture into the prepared cocktail glassKesar InfusionCombining flavours of saffron with honey and cardamom in a cocktail can yield an elegant concoction Designed to be a refreshing mix of gin with the sweet and spicy flavours of honeycardamom water and a splash of lemon this balanced cocktail elevates traditional flavours into a sophisticated modern Martinirdquo poses Akshay Singh bartender at DeltinIngredientsGin 45 mlHoney cardamominfused water 30 mlLemon juice 10 mlSugar syrup 5 mlSaffron threads for garnishMethodGather a cocktail shaker a martini glass and a bar spoonPour the gin honeycardamom infused water lemon juice and sugar syrup into the cocktail shakerFill the shaker with ice cubesClose the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds to chill the ingredients and blend the flavoursStrain the mixture into a chilled martini glassGarnish the drink with a few saffron threads for a touch of colour and additional flavour For a truly refreshing drink chill the martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes before servingTamarind Old FashionedAnother intriguing twist on a classic cocktail the Tamarind Old Fashioned marries traditional flavours with innovative The tamarind adds a tangy fruity depth that complements the smokiness of the whisky according to Vikram Ku Head of World Class India and HNI Advocacy Diageo India Whisky enthusiasts can experiment with different types of whisky and tamarind syrups as they can lead to a wide range of flavour profilesIngredientsJohnnie Walker Black Label 60 mlTamarind paste 10 mlJaggery syrup 10 mlAngostura bitters 2 dashesOrange peel for garnishMethod1 In a mixing glass combine Johnnie Walker tamarind paste jaggery syrup and bitters2 Add ice and stir for 15 to 20 seconds3 Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube4 Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink and drop it into the glassAlso ReadDiwali 2024 Indian chefs share healthier ways to prepare festive sweets