By Shireen Jamooji
India’s alcohol legacy is long and layered but thanks to current liquor laws it's divided by geographical boundaries. Here are some local alcohols that are best sampled in their state of origin.
The only alcohol with a GI status in India, this Goan alcohol is made from Cashew Apples and has an ABV of 45% and higher.
This Rajasthani drink is made of spices, herbs and roots often with strong saffron notes and can vary in alcohol content depending on the ingredients.
Hailing from South India this sweet palm wine is made from the sap of various palm trees and sits at around 8% ABV.
Translating to ‘love potion’ in the local language this fortified wine from Mizoram is a truly local affair and packs a punch at 14% ABV.
Made across the Himalayan region but especially in Ladakh, this milky-coloured barley wine is a part of all cultural events and has an ABV of 5-7%.
Known across the central belt of India Mahua is made from the sugary Madhuca longifolia flowers and is 10-25% in its original form but often sold diluted to 5-7%.