New Year is round the corner and what better way to bring in the new season than with sipping on some exceptional cocktails? Before the clock strikes twelve, get ready to shake and stir these flavourful concoctions from some of India’s top brands. Whether you have them neat or add something creative as a base, these cocktails are bound to leave you in great spirits.
Cocktail punch
The holiday season is when cocktails take centre stage, and vodka’s versatility makes it a festive favourite. Leti Blagoeva, Co-Founder, D’YAVOL tells, “Winter-themed cocktails like cream-based blends, spiced with cinnamon or nutmeg, or smoky Vodka Old Fashioned capture the season’s warmth perfectly. People are embracing bold flavours and creative garnishes—like edible gold flakes or torched rosemary—bringing wintery aromas and visual appeal. There’s also a shift toward mindful indulgence, with cocktails made using fresh, seasonal ingredients like citrus and pomegranates. Vodka shines as a versatile canvas, letting these natural flavours stand out while delivering that celebratory kick we all look forward to during the holidays.”
ISHAANSURI
Crimson Affair
Ingredients
60 ml D’YAVOL Single Estate Vodka or any vodka available
30 ml Mixed berry purée
15 ml Lime juice
1 Egg white
Method: Add D’YAVOL Single Estate Vodka, mixed berry purée, lime juice, and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Dry shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to froth the egg white. Add ice to the shaker and reverse shake for 10 seconds to chill the mixture. Strain into a long-stemmed coupe glass and serve.
New kid on the block
Mahura or Mahua, the good old tribal drink, is now officially distilled. Six Brothers Mahura has been distilled and crafted to introduce our Indian heritage spirit to global audiences. Made from the Mahura (Madhuca Longifolia flower) indigenous to India, it is deeply rooted in India’s spirit traditions and stands as India’s answer to other iconic global spirit categories. Hamavand Chinoy, Director, South Seas Distilleries shares, “Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for mixologists to use in a wide range of cocktails. The unique, earthy, floral and spicy character can be savoured neat, on ice or in a wide range of cocktails as it can seamlessly replace any spirit adding a distinct touch of India to your favourite cocktail. Once cherished by royals, this exceptional spirit now offers cocktail enthusiasts a chance to experience India’s rich history while opening doors to endless creative possibilities in mixology.”
Killing Me Softly
Ingredients
60 ml Six Brothers Small Batch Mahura or any Mahura spirit
60 ml Fresh cream/heavy cream
30 ml Honey
2 ml Ginger Extract
Garnish: Candied ginger, ginger biscuit crumbs and a praline shard
Method: In a shaker, add ice, Mahura spirit, fresh cream, honey and ginger extract. Shake well. Rim the Martini or Coupe glass with ginger biscuit crumbs and pour the shaken drink in. Top up with a candied ginger and praline shard.
Current trends
Cocktail culture today transcends the act of drinking. Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer of Diageo India affirms, “It’s about curating experiences that resonate with authenticity and storytelling. Homegrown brands, in particular, are gaining well-deserved recognition for their unique flavour profiles and limited-edition offerings. These are being incorporated into cocktails, creating harmonious blends that highlight local ingredients and narratives, redefining the way we connect with what’s in our glass.”
Winter Orchard Mule
Ingredients
50 ml Godawan 02 Fruit and Spice or any single malt available
1 tsp Orange Marmalade
4 Basil Leaves
20 ml Lime Juice
For top up: Ginger Ale
Method: Shake the single malt, orange marmalade, basil leaves, and lime juice in a shaker. Pour it out into a whisky glass and top it up with ginger ale.
Cocktails in 2025
Consumers today are seeking new experiences, and brandy has immense untapped potential to capture their interest. Sanaya Dahanukar, Assistant Marketing Manager, Tilaknagar Industries Ltd. adds, “Brandy is one of the most underappreciated and unexplored spirits in the cocktail world, and that’s something we’re passionate about changing as the leaders of the category in India. It has a depth and complexity that lends itself beautifully to a wide range of drinks, from warm winter classics like a hot toddy to refreshing summer spritzes. I genuinely believe that brandy could become the next big trend in cocktails. It has a timeless elegance that works across seasons, and as consumers continue to seek out unique and elevated experiences, brandy’s time in the spotlight is coming.”
The Treaty Twist
Ingredients
45 ml Monarch Legacy Edition or any brandy available
30 ml Cinnamon and Earl Grey cordial
45 ml Cold Press Orange Juice
For Garnish: Edible flower
Ice (tall)
Method: Make the cinnamon and Earl Grey cordial by simmering Earl Grey tea pods, cinnamon sticks, sugar and water in a pan. Add the brandy, the cordial and cold press orange juice over ice in a highball glass. Stir and garnish with an edible flower. Serve chilled.
