Make your Holi celebrations vibrant with these colourful cocktails

Eagerly awaited each year Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country While rituals and customs might differ the spirit of letting loose is common The festival is incomplete without delicious food and drinks and while the traditional thandai is always popular adding interesting cocktails can make your celebration even more exciting To make your Holi gatherings even more vibrant we asked Mumbai mixologists to share some of their most colourful cocktail recipes Whether you are a novice or a master these are easy to follow and can be whipped up in no timeLemon MintldquoIt is a zesty cocktail creation that combines fresh mint leaves tangy lime juice and bubbly Sprite over ice Muddled with a touch of sugar for the perfect balance this refreshing drink will awaken your taste buds with every sip Whether youre relaxing by the pool or hosting a fancy party this invigorating beverage is guaranteed to leave a lasting impressionrdquo says Sonali Malik bartender at BayrouteAlso Read Mohalla munch Iftar food walk guide for Mohammad Ali Road in MumbaiIngredientsFresh mint leaves 810Sugar 1 tspFresh lime juice 30 mlSprite or lemonlime soda 120 mlIce cubesMethod1 Begin by crushing a handful of vibrant mint leaves with a touch of sugar in a cocktail shaker 2 Squeeze in a generous amount of fresh lime juice and fill the shaker with ice 3 Shake with fervour to meld the flavours together 4 Pour the concoction into a bamboo glass brimming with ice cubes 5 Pour in Sprite or your preferred lemonlime soda to the top 6 Gently mix it all together 7 Adorn with a sprig of mint and a wedge of limeLR Coastal Crush Khatta Meetha Mango BlastFalooda with Nksha twistldquoFilled with goodness of nuts raisins and strawberries this cocktail packs a crunch It is a cool and refreshing drinkwhich is ideal for your outdoor celebrationsrdquo says Anurag Godbole wine sommelier and bar manager at Nksha RestaurantIngredientsMilk 200 ml full fatStrawberry syrup 50 mlCashew nuts10 gmAlmonds 10 gmRaisins 10 gmPistachios 10 gmFresh strawberries 10gmBasil seed 10 gmVanilla Ice cream 1 scoopMethod1 Soak basil seeds in water for an hour2 Chop all the nuts mentioned above 3 Mix strawberry syrup in the cold milk 4 Soak all chopped nuts and basic seeds in the milk for half an hour5 Pour the mixture into the glass 6 Add a scoop of ice cream and garnish it with more nuts and strawberry syrupKhatta Meetha Mango BlastThis cocktail celebrates the hues of Holi I would call it a symphony of tangy sweetness owing to its vibrant explosion of flavours shares Vikrant Nagaonkar assistant bar manager at DomeIngredientsGin 60 mlFresh Mango Juice 60 mlHomemade raw mango and Kiwi puree 60 mlLime Juice 15 mlSoda top upFor garnishDried kiwi sliceCrushed iceMethod1 Take a highball glass with ice 2 Muddle raw mango and kiwi together to make a puree3 Pour lime juice over the crushed ice then add mango juicehomemade raw mango and kiwi puree4 Top it off with a splash of soda5 Stir well6 Garnish with a dehydrated kiwi sliceLR Lemon Mint Purple RainPurple RainldquoThe Purple Rain cocktail is a stunning and flavourful ginbased drink inspired by the iconic song by Prince It is a delightful combination of delicate yet bold flavours The blue pea flower tea lends its vivid violet hue while the basil and lime provide a refreshing balance of herbal and citrus notesrdquo explains Lordston Soares mixologist at DitasIngredientsGin 60 mlFresh lime juice 15 mlSimple syrup adjust to taste 15 mlFresh basil leaves 23 noBlue pea tea butterfly pea flower tea chilled 60 mlTonic water 60 mlEdible flower for garnishMethod1 Add ice to the cocktail shaker2 Combine all ingredients in the shaker3 Shake and strain into a gin goblet4 Garnish with edible flowersBlueberry SmashldquoThe freshness of mint complements the flavour profile of blueberry Its a delightful blend of flavours that makes it perfect for sipping on a warm day or as a festive drink for any occasionrdquo says Ratan Marsh mixologist at The NinesIngredientsWhiskey 60 mlLime juice 20 mlBlueberry syrup 15 mlApple juice 30 mlMint leaves 8 to 10 leaves Dehydrated lime for garnishMethod1 Muddle fresh blueberries with mint leaves and simple syrup to make the blueberry syrup2 Add ice to a cocktail shaker3 Combine all ingredients in the shaker4 Shake and strain into an oldfashioned glass5 Garnish with dehydrated lime