Spicy Whisky Cocktails And Indian Curries: The Ultimate Flavour Combination
Introduction
Curries are a staple dish of desi cuisine. Be it mildly flavoured paneer gravies or fierce lamb curries, the options are endless. This is chiefly due to the high quality of seasonal produce and the versatile Indian spices that are vital to their cuisine. Indian cuisine has all kinds of kitchen spices in its repertoire, ranging from cinnamon and cloves to nutmeg and mace. There is also the zestiness of dried and whole chilis, garam masala, mustard seeds among others. All these flavourings and seasonings add considerable taste as well as zinginess to food and drinks.
Whisky has been long-admired for its multifaceted flavour profile and the ability to complement a wide variety of dishes. Though it was traditionally paired with meat, cheese and chocolates, the amber spirit’s ability to match with spices is gaining traction. The chief challenge lies in balancing the core flavours of spices with the nuanced, complex notes found in a good whisky. For example, matar paneer goes well with a bourbon-based cocktail as its smokiness echoes the earthy flavours of cinnamon and cumin. Since spicy whisky cocktails are quite popular in mixology circles nowadays, they work well with well-seasoned and savoury Indian curries.
Spicy Whisky Cocktails And Indian Curries
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Blood Orange Jalapeño Whisky Cocktail and Butter Chicken
This whisky cocktail has a nuanced flavour profile comprising tangy flavours with bittersweet undertones. When it is paired with the silky, mildly spiced notes of butter chicken, the drink serves a bright, crisp contrast in taste. Cashews play a key role in the butter chicken curry. It adds creaminess and a mild nutty sweetness as well. This makes the dish taste richer and do well with a tart, spicy cocktail. To make this blood orange jalapeño whisky cocktail for 1, you need 60 ml blood orange juice, 20 ml agave syrup, 15 ml bourbon, 15 ml beer and 1 sliced jalapeño. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add juice, syrup, bourbon and sliced jalapeño to it. Shake well to combine before straining into an ice-filled glass. Top off with beer and serve the drink with delicious butter chicken.
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Coco Chili Whisky Cocktail and Pork Vindaloo
The rich, bittersweet flavours of chocolate pairs really well with the sweet, spiced profile of rye whisky. While chilis add an unconventional yet subtle peppery flavour to the silky combination for a unique, balanced drink. As pork vindaloo is a fiercely spicy dish with a tangy flavour profile, this smooth concoction pairs perfectly with it. Based in vinegar and garlic, the vindaloo curry offers a fiery combination of Indian spices such as Kashmiri chili powder and cumin. Paired with tender pieces of pork, this bright and spicy dish needs a rich and decadent drink for a change in taste. Since this whisky cocktail has a nuanced touch of spice with creamy sweetness, it can pair perfectly with a vindaloo curry. To make this coco chili whisky cocktail for 1, you need 23 ml rye whisky, 20 ml homemade chilli syrup, 5 ml chocolate bitters, 2 ml amaro liqueur and orange peel for garnish. In an ice-filled mixing glass, add whisky, syrup bitters and amaro liqueur. Stir properly until chilled. Strain over a fresh ice rock in an Old Fashioned cocktail glass. Express orange peel over top before garnishing with it and serving with pork vindaloo.
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Smoky Old Fashioned And Mutton Rogan Josh
The roasted flavour of this whisky cocktail is chiefly due to the inclusion of a peated scotch and smoke. This drink’s taste profile pairs ideally with a hearty mutton rogan josh. It also complements the earthy, slightly spiced character of the curry, especially with its blend of cinnamon, cloves and cardamom, among others. The drink’s smokey finish is ideal for highlighting the mutton rogan josh’s rich curd-based gravy and spices. To make this smokey old fashioned cocktail for 1, you need 25 ml rye whisky, 5 ml aromatic bitters, 1 cube of sugar, 1 orange slice, 1 cherry and a tablespoon of water. In a rocks glass, add sugar, bitters and water. Muddle the mixture until dissolved. Now pour the whisky and stir thoroughly until combined. Fill the glass with smoke and keep covered for 2 minutes before releasing it. Finally, add a large ice sphere, orange slice, and cherry before serving it with mutton rogan josh.
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Spiced Honey Manhattan And Dal Makhani
The zesty, robust flavours of this Manhattan cocktail are well-suited to accompany the earthy, smoky flavours of a dal makhani. The dish is based on lentils with a rich tomato-based gravy. The nuanced sweet and spicy elements of this drink make it a sophisticated pairing for this humble curry. The complex, bittersweet flavour profile of the cocktail complements the buttery and earthy dal makhani, resulting in a balanced and bright pairing. To make this cocktail for 1, you need 18 ml rye whisky, 10 ml sweet vermouth, 2 ml orange bitters, 8-10 ml homemade cinnamon, star anise honey syrup and maraschino cherries for garnishing. In an ice-filled mixing glass, add bourbon, vermouth, orange bitters and spiced honey syrup. Stir well till thoroughly chilled and combined. Strain into an ice-laden low-ball or cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherries and serve with dal makhani.
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