Be it Diwali 2024 or any other festival that is now coming up, including Christmas 2023 and the New Year 2025, those who love hosting parties at home are gearing up for a good time indeed. From arranging for delicious snacks and traditional sweets to whipping up cheese platters and charcuterie boards, the preparations for Diwali 2024 are at their peak. And for those who love their alcohol and boozy cocktails at Diwali parties, this is just the right time to stock up the home bar.
But to stock up a festive home bar perfectly means not only going out and buying any spirits you can lay your hands on. The best festive parties from Diwali to New Year’s have, in fact, a selection of the best India and the world has to offer in terms of alcoholic beverages. After all, this is the time to celebrate and be merry, so why not indulge in the best and offer up the same to your guests? What’s more, if you are attending a party this festive season, you could also gift your host one of these amazing and indulgent spirits.
So, if you are looking for the best selection of spirits to stock up your home bar or gift somebody this festive season, here are some of the best options you can look at.
Video Credit: YouTube/Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana
1. Indri Diwali Festive Pack
After winning global accolades at the Whiskies of the World Award 2023, Indri has come out with a Diwali-special festive pack that is a must-have. This pack not only has a beautiful bottle of Indri Trini, but also two exquisitely crafted whisky glasses to enhance your whisky-drinking experience. A great option for gifting, Indri Diwali Festive Pack is available at a price range of RS 3,000 to Rs 5,400 depending on the state and availability.
2. The Choya Single Year
For those who want to indulge in a unique liqueur this Diwali, Choya’s stunning Ume liqueur is a must-have. For those unaware, Ume is a Japanese liqueur made with steeped ume plums, and Choya creates one of the best of this spirit in the world. Aged for upto two years, Choya Single Year is made with 100% Nanko-Ume sourced from Wakayama and is tart and mildly sweet in taste. Priced at Rs 3,500 per bottle, this one is available at select stores in Mumbai, Goa, Haryana, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
3. 1800 Tequila Cristalino Tequila
This crystal clear Anejo tequila is aged in French and American oak barrels and has a depth that only matured tequila does. 1800 Tequila Cristalino Tequila is made with handpicked, 100% blue agave and marries the complexity of an Anejo with the smoothness of a Blanco. Priced at Rs 15,000, this high-end and luxurious tequila is only available at select stores in Mumbai, Goa, Haryana, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
4. BeeYoung Craft Beer
Beer lovers need no longer complain that they are missing out this festive season, because BeeYoung, a homegrown beer brand by Kimaya Himalayan Beverages, has come out with India’s first crafted strong beer. With the perfect malty taste and fruitiness, BeeYoung is made with Argentinian barley, Columbus & Styrian Golding Hops, sortex rice, yeast and the purest water from Bhakra Dam in Punjab. Available in Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, BeeYoung is available in 500ml and 650ml cans and bottles.
5. Hayman's London Dry Gin
Known as one of the most famous gins in the world, Hayman’s offers the flavours of true English-style gin and has been around since 1863. So, Hayman’s London Dry Gin has a lineage that dates back to the original gin boom and will be the perfect addition to your festive home bar. Priced at Rs 4,800 per bottle depending on the state and availability, Hayman’s award-winning London Dry Gin is available at select stores in Mumbai, Goa, Haryana, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
6. Camikara 12YO
This homegrown brand offers up India’s first pure cane juice rum and has even won the gold medal at the prestigious IWSC Awards 2023. Camikara, named after the Sanskrit term for liquid gold, is an exquisite, smooth and rich rum prepared from molasses derived from sugarcane and is aged for 12 years in bourbon barrels. Priced at Rs 6,000 per bottle, Camikara 12YO is available in Haryana.
7. Highbury Classic Whisky
One of the most celebrated American blended whiskies preferred in Indian home bars, Highbury Classic Whisky is bottled in Goa and available across the nation. Priced at Rs 1,500 (changes based on state), this beautiful whisky has the aromas of berries, caramel and a touch of peat, making for a great whisky-drinking experience. The smoothness of this single malt whisky can be easily savoured as Highbury is available in Delhi, Karnataka, Kolkata, Telangana and Goa.
8. Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir
This South Australian wine has a sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir on offer that is light, elegant and perfectly suited for festive get togethers and celebrations. The palate of this wine focuses on flavours of lemon, citrus, red apples, bread and nougat and has a biscuit finishing with delicate and refreshing notes. Priced at Rs 2,100 per bottle, Jacob Creek’s Chardonnay Pinot Noir is available in Maharashtra, Delhi and a duty-free stores at international airports.
9. Grant's Distinction Festive Pack
Derived from the finest malt and grain whiskies handpicked by master blender Brian Kingsman, Grant’s appeals to the new generation of Scotch whisky drinkers in India and the world. Grant’s Distinction Festive Pack not only includes a 750ml bottle of its signature whisky with robust flavours, but also two curated whisky glasses. Available at Rs 1,000 for the entire pack depending on states, this one is available in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.
10. Skull X Platinum Vodka
Started by Aman Chopra, Skull X Platinum is one of the best homegrown vodkas you can sip on this festive season. Known for its unparalleled smoothness and elegant taste, Skull X vodka is made with a combination of pure water, white wheat and is distilled five times to create the clearest vodka.Available across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, Skull X Platinum Vodka is priced at Rs 3,400-3,800 in Gurugram and Rs 4,450 in Delhi.