5 Bourbon Cocktails For Indian Monsoons – Beyond The Old Fashioned
Come monsoon, the cocktails that are blended in this season of humidity and occasional cool winds become a mix of smoky, warm, spicy and citrusy elements complete with a light zing.
The ingredients used to blend these cocktails tend to go rather well with the slightly sweet, vanilla-like yet quite robust flavours of a good quality bourbon which reflects a similar smoky and spicy touch. Bourbon can then be an excellent spirit to blend citrusy and spiced mixes during the rainy season – that go well beyond the old fashioned.
Read on below to know more about some of the bourbon cocktails that can be prepared in monsoons and simple recipes to blend these sweet, smoky, tangy and sour mixes:
Smoky Tamarind Sour
A drink with a slight mix of smoky and sweet flavours, this cocktail carries a lot of depth and complexity and a caramel-like quality which makes it a suitable blend for monsoon climes.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml smoked bourbon
- 10 ml fresh lime juice
- 15 ml tamarind syrup
- 5 ml jaggery syrup
- 1 dash of citrus bitters
- Egg white (optional)
- Ice as required
- Lime wheel for garnish
Method:
– Add 30 ml smoked bourbon, 10 ml fresh lime juice, 15 ml tamarind syrup, 5 ml jaggery syrup and 1 dash of citrus bitters to a cocktail shaker. If using egg white, add it next and give the drink a dry shake. Now, add ice as required and shake again. Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
Masala Chai-Infused Bourbon Smash
One of the more popular warm beverages during Indian monsoons is a cup of masala chai. Bring this together with quality bourbon to craft a fusion of rather complementary elements.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml bourbon
- 10 ml freshly brewed masala chai seasoned with cardamom and cloves
- A dash of citrus bitters
- An orange peel for garnish
- Ice as required
Method:
– In a cocktail mixer, add ice as required along with 30 ml bourbon, 10 ml freshly brewed chai seasoned with cardamom and a dash of citrus bitters. Stir the drink well and strain into an old fashioned glass over one ice cube. Garnish with an orange peel.
Also Read: Are Banana-Infused Bourbon Cocktails Becoming The Trendiest Brunch Favourite?
Ginger-Lime Bourbon Highball
Complete with the sharp and slightly spicy flavours of ginger and the tangy flavours of lime, this simple highball can be a go-to cocktail at monsoon gatherings hosted in the evenings.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml bourbon
- 10 ml lime juice
- 45 ml ginger beer
- Ice as required
- Ginger slice and pink salt for garnish
Method:
– In a tall highball glass filled with ice, add 30 ml bourbon and 10 ml lime juice. Top this off with 45 ml ginger beer. Garnish with a ginger slice and drizzle some pink salt on top for added zing.
Masala Bourbon Cocktail
A robustly flavoured cocktail full of the sweet and lightly caramelised notes of bourbon and the spicy accents of Indian masalas, this drink can be a monsoon special at a cocktail party.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml bourbon
- 7-8 fresh mint leaves
- 10 ml lime juice
- 10 ml ginger syrup
- A pinch of chaat masala
- Ice as required
- Coriander leaves for garnish
Method:
– Muddle 7-8 fresh mint leaves, 10 ml lime juice and 10 ml ginger syrup. Add this to a cocktail shaker with ice as required and top it off with 30 ml bourbon. Add a pinch of chaat masala and shake the drink well. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with coriander leaves.
Tamarind-Ginger Bourbon Mule
Bring together two Indian monsoon staples namely tangy tamarind syrup and zingy ginger in this complex cocktail infused with a touch of smoky bourbon and the spiciness of green chilli.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml smoked bourbon
- 10 ml imli or tamarind water
- 10 ml lime juice
- 45 ml ginger beer
- Ice as required
- Green chilli for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail shaker, bring together ice as required with 30 ml smoked bourbon, 10 ml imli or tamarind water and 10 ml lime juice. Shake vigorously and transfer into a coupé glass. Top the drink off with 45 ml ginger beer. Garnish with a spicy green chilli.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
