Winter calls for some soothing beverages of course. While there is badam and kesar doodh for some, some people are just not ready to leave a glass full of their favourite cocktail. Have you ever wondered what would desi Indian cocktails taste like?? Well, we will tell you. Just like Indian flavours add boldness and sharpness to their food, they do the same to cocktails. So, to make your Winter even more special, let us see some amazing winter cocktails with ‘desi’ness loaded!!
Paan Punch
Image credits: Paan Punch (Instagram/thirstyracer)
Ingredients
- 1 paan leaves
- 3 cardamoms
- 1 tsp gulkand
- 45 ml vodka
- 1 maraschino cherry
- 15 ml sambuca
Method
- Take a cocktail shaker and grind paan leaves with cardamom and gulkand.
- Add ice, vodka, and Sambuca. Shake well.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Add paan leaves and garnish with a cherry. Serve!
Chai Martini
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 masala chai teabags
- 1-ounce vodka
- Grated nutmeg
- Star anise for garnish
Method
- Take a cup and add warm water with tea bags. Let the tea steep for five minutes.
- Place the tea into the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Take a cocktail shaker and half a cup of tea with vodka.
- Add crushed ice and shake.
- Strain the drink into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with nutmeg.
- Serve
Shahad Magic
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce vodka
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- 1 egg white
- 2 drops of Angostura bitters
- 1-star anise
- Ice
For honey syrup
- ½ cup water
- 5 cardamom pods
- ½ cup honey
Method
- Heat a pan and add water. Also, add honey and cardamom pods. Stir well.
- Turn off the flame and let the mixture cool. Strain the mixture into an air-tight jar.
- Take a cocktail shaker with ice. Add honey syrup, vodka, lemon juice, and egg white.
- Shake well and serve in a glass. Garnish with bitters and star anise.
Bloody Tomato Cocktail
Image credits: Bloody tomato cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 cup tomato juice
- 50 ml gin
- 4 dashes of Tabasco sauce
- Lemon juice
- Pinch of salt, black pepper, and garam masala.
- Ice
Method
- Take a glass and add ice to it.
- Add lemon juice, black pepper, salt, and tabasco sauce. Also, add gin.
- Add tomato juice and mix well.
- Sprinkle garam masala and serve!
Give these cocktails a try and see if you are ‘Desi’ enough!!
