When you think Old Monk, your mind immediately says ‘and coke’. Were we correct? For so long this alcohol, although one of India’s favourites, has been flying under the cocktail radar. Perhaps the reason for this oversight is simply the price point since Old Monk has always been seen as occupying the lower rung of alcohols – the exact factor which has made it a favourite of broke college kids. Or perhaps it’s down to its intense taste, one that seems unlikely to pair well with anything aside from the saccharine sweetness offered by commercial sodas. The good news is that it can be done!
Old Monk – with an open mind and a little ingenuity be turned into a cocktail worthy of any bar menu. The key is finding a balance between its natural headiness and leaning into it instead of covering it up.
Here are 3 ways you can experiment with your own Old Monk cocktails at home:
Guava-Licous
This Indianised play on a Pina Colada is perfect to make in large batches and only needs a couple of ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Old Monk
- 100 ml guava juice
- 20ml coconut cream
- Ice
Method:
- Blend all the ingredients together until smooth.
- Add a few ice cubes to the glass and pour over your cocktail mix.
- Garnish with a slice of pineapple if you’re feeling fancy.
- Done and dusted, take off to the tropics.
Dark And Stormy
This classic cocktail can be made with any dark rum, so why not let your Monk shine in 1…2…
Ingredients:
- 60 ml ginger beer
- 100 ml Old Monk
- Lime wedge
- Ice
Method:
- Add all your ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Stir to combine.
- Pour into a tall glass, garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
Pineapple Fancy
This combines the tartness of pineapple with the aromatic finish of cardamom for an intriguing sip.
Ingredients:
- 100 ml Old Monk
- 50 ml Pineapple juice
- 10 ml simple syrup
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- Ice
Method:
- Transfer all the ingredients into a shaker or mixing glass with ice.
- Stir to combine.
- Strain the mixture into a serving glass.
- Sip away!
