Pairing Kulukki Sarbath with Liquor For A Party In Your Glass
Tradition often meets innovation behind the bar. One of the most delightful encounters happens when Kulukki Sarbath—a popular spiced shaken lemonade from Kerala—gets paired with liquor. This refreshing drink, typically made with lemon, green chilli, basil seeds, and a sprinkle of sugar, can be turned into a sophisticated cocktail with a twist using spirits from a well-loved collection.
The Classic Kulukki Whisky Sour
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
Start with the traditional Kulukki Sarbath base—squeeze the juice of one lemon into a shaker, add a teaspoon of sugar, a slit green chilli, a tablespoon of soaked basil seeds, and give it a good muddle to release those spicy, herbaceous flavours. To this mix, add 45 ml of Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky. The smoky notes of the whisky beautifully complement the zesty lemon and fiery chilli. Shake it all up with ice, strain into a rock glass filled with ice, and garnish with a lemon wheel and a basil leaf.
This drink not only quenches the thirst but also stirs the soul.
Gin and Tonic Kulukki Style
For a botanical boost, mix up a gin-based Kulukki Sarbath.
In your shaker, combine the juice of half a lime, 10 ml of simple syrup, a few slices of cucumber, a slit of green chilli, and a tablespoon of soaked basil seeds. Muddle gently—just enough to release the essence but not to pulverise the ingredients. Add 60 ml of Tanqueray No. Ten, renowned for its enriched botanicals, which resonate well with the fresh ingredients of the sarbath. Fill with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top off with tonic water and stir gently. Garnish with a few rounds of cucumber and a sprig of mint.
It’s refreshing, with a gin twist that makes it all the more invigorating.
Rum-infused Kulukki
Transform your Kulukki Sarbath into a tropical delight by adding McDowell’s X Series dark rum.
In a shaker, place the juice of one lime, 15 ml of honey (for a smooth sweetness), a handful of mint leaves, a slit of green chilli, and a tablespoon of soaked basil seeds. Muddle them lightly, pour in 60 ml rum, and fill the shaker with ice. After a hearty shake, pour unstrained into a mason jar or a quirky glass of your choice. The rum not only meshes well with the heat of the chilli but also adds a vanilla warmth.
It’s just what you need on a chilly evening.
Rose Kulukki Sarbath with Gin
The floral notes of rose blend beautifully with Gordon’s gin, making this variant a poetic sip.
To craft this drink, start by preparing the base. In a shaker, combine the juice of one lemon, a teaspoon of rose syrup (to enhance the floral aroma), a teaspoon of sugar, a slit of green chilli, and a tablespoon of soaked basil seeds. Shake this mixture without ice to dissolve the sugar completely. Add 60 ml gin. Fill the shaker with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled glass. Top with a splash of soda water, and garnish with rose petals and a lemon twist.
The result is a cocktail that delights the eye as well as the tongue.
