Aam Panna, Nimbu Paani, Bel Sharbat, and More: Give These Desi Drinks A Boozy Twist
There are so many desi drinks enjoyed during the scorching summer months to combat the heat and stay hydrated. We're all familiar with how oppressively hot Indian summers can be and how much of a respite a cold drink is. If you're hosting a brunch or a summertime patio party, or are just having people over for a casual get-together, then consider serving your guests some lip-smacking desi drinks with a boozy twist. With the right spirit to complement the base drink, these concoctions can be instant hits. There are plenty of spirits that will pair perfectly well with the sweet, tangy, and refreshing flavours of desi drinks. Here are some quick and easy recipes to give desi drinks a boozy makeover:
Vodka Shikanji
Ingredients
Ciroc vodka
Lemon juice
4 cups of water
Sweetener of your choice
Ice
Black salt
Roasted cumin powder
Chaat masala
Lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish
Method:
Combine cold water, vodka, and lemon juice in a pitcher.
Then add your preferred sweetener and stir until fully dissolved.
Next, season with black salt, roasted cumin powder, and chaat masala.
Taste and adjust the sweetness and spice levels to your liking.
Finally, add ice cubes to the pitcher to chill.
Serve in glasses with lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish.
Kokum Martini
Ingredients
60 ml of Ketel One vodka
30 ml of kokum syrup
15 ml of lemon juice
Ice
Lemon wheel for garnish
Method
In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, kokum syrup, and lemon juice. Give it a good shake till the outside has become frosty.
Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge or wheel and serve.
Aam Panna Margarita
Ingredients
60 ml of Don Julio Blanco tequila
60 ml of aam panna
2 tbsp of lemon juice
Sweetener of choice (adjust to taste)
Chaat masala
Cocktail umbrella for garnish
Method
Rum some lime around your glass and then rim it with some chaat masala. Let the glass chill in the fridge for some time.
Add aam panna, tequila, chaat masala, and sweetener into a cocktail shaker with ice. Give it a vigorous shake.
Strain into the prepared glass that's decorated with a cocktail umbrella.
Bel Sharbat Mojito
Ingredients
2 tbsp of bel sharbat (wood apple syrup)
1 tbsp of lemon juice
6 to 8 mint leaves
1 tsp of sugar or honey or agave nectar
60 ml of white rum
Soda
Ice
Lemon slices and mint for garnish
Method
Muddle the mint leaves, lime juice, bel sharbat, and sugar in a cocktail shaker or glass until the mint releases its aroma.
Next, add white rum and ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds.
Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice and top it up with soda.
Garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs.
Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing drink.
Chai Old Fashioned
Ingredients
60 ml of bourbon whisky
60 ml of brewed black tea
15 ml of orange juice
30 ml of ginger beer
2 dashes of orange bitters
A pinch of cinnamon
Star anise
Method
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice followed by bourbon, brewed tea, cinnamon, orange juice, and orange bitters. Stir well.
Pour the mixture into a lowball glass containing a large ice cube, and top it up with ginger beer.
Garnish with a piece of star anise or an orange slice.
For additional chai flavours, you can also muddle green cardamom with the other ingredients in the cocktail shaker.
