Cocktails have become staples at parties and events across India in recent times. The combination of fresh fruits with varied alcoholic beverages has made cocktail drinking popular in India, and over the past few years, the demand for cocktails has surged.
Here's a look at the 10 most popular cocktails in India, including their descriptions, ingredients, and preparation instructions.
Margarita
This classic cocktail is a refreshing and zesty mix of tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau. The refreshing combination of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice has made this drink a staple of bars across the country. A margarita is typically served with a salt rim, and it’s a popular choice for those who like their drinks both tangy and sweet. To make a margarita, start by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and dipping it into salt. Add ice, tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau to a shaker and shake well. Strain into the glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Taste: Salty
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 168
Cosmopolitan
A Cosmopolitan is an elegant drink that is becoming more and more popular in India, especially in the big cities. The drink consists of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. It is typically served with an orange peel twist, and it is a great choice for those who prefer a tangy and fruity drink. To make a cosmopolitan, combine vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and triple sec in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist.
Taste: Sweet and sour
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 146
Long Island Iced Tea
Another popular drink in India, especially among younger people, is Long Island Iced Tea. This potent cocktail is a mix of rum, vodka, tequila, gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and cola. To make a Long Island Iced Tea, combine all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Taste: Sweet and sour
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 245
Mojito
The mojito is yet another traditional cocktail that Indians adore. This drink consists of white rum, sugar, lime juice, mint leaves, and soda water. It is a refreshing, minty drink that is perfect for a hot summer day in India. Mojitos have gained mass popularity over the past decade, and they are a sought-after drink in bars and pubs across the country. To make a mojito, start by muddling mint leaves and sugar in a glass. Add lime juice and rum, then fill the glass with crushed ice and top with soda water. Stir well, and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Taste: Sweet and sour
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 160
Bloody Mary
This spicy cocktail is perfect for brunch or the morning after a night out. To make a Bloody Mary, combine tomato juice, vodka, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. It is typically served with a celery stalk or a pickled onion, and it’s perfect for brunches or a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Taste: Spicy
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 125
Whiskey Sour
This classic cocktail is a simple but tasty mix of whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar syrup. To make a whiskey sour, combine all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with a lemon wedge and a cherry.
Taste: Sour
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 200
Old Fashioned
This cocktail is a true classic and perfect for those who appreciate a strong and robust drink. To make an Old Fashioned, muddle a sugar cube, a dash of bitters, and a splash of water in a glass. Add ice and whiskey and stir well. Garnish with a twist of orange peel and a cherry.
Taste: Bitter
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 155
Pina Colada
Pina Colada is a creamy and fruity cocktail that is a popular choice for those who prefer creamy and sweet drinks. To make a Pina Colada, blend pineapple juice, coconut cream, and white rum with ice until smooth. Pour into a glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cherry. It is a crowd-pleaser, and it’s perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.
Taste: Sweet
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 300
Sex on the Beach
This fruity cocktail is perfect for those who prefer their drinks sweet and refreshing. To make a Sex on the Beach, combine vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of orange.
Taste: Sweet and fruity
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 210
Mai Tai
The Mai Tai is a trendy and exotic cocktail that is popular in India and is a perfect blend of sweet and sour flavors with a hint of rum. To make a Mai Tai, combine dark rum, orange curacao, almond syrup, lime juice, and pineapple juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint. The drink is typically served with a cherry and a slice of pineapple, and it is perfect for those who prefer a sweet and tropical drink.
Taste: Sweet and sour
Total time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 220
What to Serve with These Cocktails
Cocktails are usually served in glasses that fit the style of the drink, like a martini glass for a Cosmopolitan or a highball glass for a Bloody Mary. Many cocktails are often garnished with fruit, herbs, or other decorative touches, such as a lime wedge or a sprig of mint. Some cocktails can also be served with ice or crushed ice, depending on the drink's recipe. Small bites or appetizers, like chips and dip, nuts, or charcuterie, are often served with cocktails to go with the flavors of the drink.
From classic cocktails to tropical fruity drinks, cocktail bars and pubs across the country have stepped up their game to meet the growing demand, and the result is a positive one. Whether you prefer sweet, sour, or spicy, there's a cocktail for everyone on this list. So why not try them all and discover your favorite?