5 Curry Leaf Cocktails That Are A Rendezvous Between The Indian Kitchen And Bar
Of the different herbs and spices that make up the flavours of Indian kitchens, one which stands out for its lightly umami, utterly aromatic and savoury touch, is curry leaves. The dark green leaves add a lot of fragrance and flavourful depth into curries, vegetables, meats and spicy rice preparations and are an absolute staple across many Indian households.
Contemporary Indian mixologists are now exploring different regional and local ingredients as elements that can add a flavourful twist to cocktail concoctions. This has involved looking closely at curry leaves as an ingredient which has the potential to bring a lot of depth and a hint of a savoury touch into numerous cocktail blends. When curry leaves are added to drinks, what occurs is a rendezvous between the Indian kitchen and the modern bar – ultimately leading to the creation of rather deeply flavoured mixes.
Read on below to know more about some of the curry leaf cocktails that bring about a meet-up between Indian culinary spaces and contemporary bartending cultures:
Curry Leaf Gin And Tonic
One of the more straightforward yet quite effective curry leaf infusions in modern cocktails comes in the form of a gin and tonic variation that is infused with a cordial made using this herb. Bring together 30 ml Gordon’s London Dry Gin or any other premium gin of choice with about 60 ml tonic water to craft the classic blend. Add about a couple of tablespoons of curry leaf cordial – made by simmering sugar, lemon zest and fresh curry leaves – to the recipe to create a fresh, green-hued gin and tonic with a citrusy, spicy undertone.
Tropical Curry Leaf Mojito
Bring the herbaceous, citrusy and lightly nutty note of curry leaves into a tropical mojito concoction which spells a fusion of Indian culinary flavours and classic mixology. Craft this cocktail by blending 30 ml premium white rum with a teaspoon of lime juice and jaggery syrup each. What would infuse a slightly savoury touch into the cocktail is muddled curry leaves which gradually release their deep flavours into the drink. Garnish this with mint for an interesting coupling of both mint and curry leaves – herbs which are very commonly found across several Indian culinary spaces. Sweet, zesty and earthy, this mojito variation carries a coastal Indian touch.
Also Read: Try Betel Leaf Mojito: A Cocktail with an Unexpected Herbaceous Twist
Curry Leaf Margarita Twist
Use 30 ml of good quality tequila blanco to prepare this margarita variation with an Indian regional touch. Craft a flavourful syrup using a mix of curry leaves and green chillies to introduce a spicy touch into the margarita rendition. Serve this drink with a pink salt rim which will better highlight the savoury and lightly citrusy hint of curry leaves and the spiciness of green chillies. The herbal-spicy zest which permeates through the cocktail will create a complementary encounter with the peppery and lightly vegetal flavours of a quality tequila blanco.
Whisky Sour With A Curry Leaf Touch
A curry leaf infusion in the form of about a tablespoon of simple syrup laced with this herb is what would lend a desi touch to the classic whisky sour cocktail. Prepare the drink using 30 ml of any premium whisky of choice coupled with a dash of lime juice. Bring the signature froth onto this cocktail by giving it a dry shake with the addition of one egg white. Garnish the drink with a fried curry leaf to lend it a familiar botanical touch where the spirit and its citrusy accompaniments meet the aromatic nuance of the Indian herb.
Curry Leaf Martini Cocktail
An elegant and sophisticated cocktail made with about 10 ml curry leaf-infused vermouth, this martini cocktail is a crisp and spicy blend – sleek, minimal yet complete with the layered nuance of the regional Indian staple. Blend the drink with the addition of 30 ml of any other premium of choice, whose neutral flavours can well embody the deep notes of the curry leaves to bring a distinctly regional terroir into a global classic.
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