Tag: Cocktails

2021 Beverages

There has been a complete range of beverages that I have explored or tried in 2021. One of the main categories was tonic waters a lot of interesting flavours of tonic waters I tried and some of them particularly tasted well as a beverage or with a spirit or as a cocktail. And certain brands also explored another subcategory of the huge beverage/ Cocktails. Edible garnishes and non-alcoholic drinks are a fairly new concept in India that struck well with home bartenders and drinkers during the pandemic. While another tonic water brand did also launch lemonades a nostalgic drink with a few twists. Other non-alcoholics took me by surprise the ginger beer & Grapefruit ginger beer. The other category that I explored were syrups and though it said natural taste. They did come out a little artificial in taste. Syrups are still something I haven’t seen so many Indian brands taking the plunge into. While Cocktail mixers were something a lot of brands we’re starting with. Some of them were readily available while others were only noticed because of their collaborations. But yes there are suddenly too many players out there in this segment. While 2022 I would like to explore more bitters and syrups that are available and made in India. Since there is a huge interest in the home bartending and cocktail experience in India. It may be because of travel restrictions or others were exploring new hobbies.

Non -Alcoholic Beverages

Non – Alcoholic beverages in India: 
India has been seeing a rise of non -Alcoholic beverage. If it was the Protein Shakes and Fresh Juices that had hit the Cola Market Shares! 
The introduction of Kingfisher’s the king of Good times Malt based Fruit drinks was another diversion for the Brand that was synonymous with Beer in India. 
Then we had Swami entering the market, it wasn’t as popular as it is today. But first the introduced Grapefruit & Cucumber tonic. A Drink that can be enjoyed just like that or with a little bit of alcohol. 
It wasn’t until the 2019s when the non- Alcoholic market sensed they should be part of this market. Budweiser, Heineken and Hoegaarden joined the Non-Alcoholic league. Where Hoegaarden has even introduced Rosé a Raspberry flavoured non-Alcoholic beer. 
The pandemic Struck! Alcohol wasn’t easily available. The ones who had their duty free stock too! Felt the pinch! When they were forced to splurge on their alcoholic choices once the wine shops opened. 
But with festive season all over starting from Diwali. The Bartenders were missed and the classic cocktails were not just introduced but were booming with #Homebartenders where Andstirred cocktails mixes & Mocktail’s and Jimmy’s cocktails like Whiskey-Sour, Cosmopolitan. And where Swami introduces A range of non-Alcoholic Cocktails (Rum Cola,Pink G&T and Gin & Tonic)  
While this is happening in India! Are we a future of Non – Alcoholic market looks exciting since there has been a range of non-Alcoholic alcohol’s that like Lyre & Ritual gaining a lot of popularity in the states. 
So are we going to be seeing a decline in alcohol in the coming years? Or are non-alcoholic beverages and alcohol just a fad and trend?  

Cocktail Tasting 🍸

Working for a event company and handling F&B(Food & Beverages) the clients when hiring the bartenders for their weddings.Would occasionally if they aren’t too sure about the bartenders.Want to taste cocktails to get an idea of the bartending companies combination and  balance of spirits with the mixtures they will be using.

The Oxford Dictionaries define cocktailas “An alcoholic drink consisting of a spirit or spirits mixed with other ingredients, such as fruit juice or cream”. A cocktail more specifically may mean a beverage with at least three flavors, one of which is alcohol.

This was my first experience. For somebody who isn’t fond of alcohol and has a brief idea of the variety of spirits and knows about the classic cocktail (Gin & Tonic) (Vodka with orange) (Bloody Marry) to name a few.

Was getting questioned and envied on the social media post. How will you judge the spirt ? Do you  also know how the  spirit taste  ? Can we switch jobs ?

Hate your life. All these by who are very fond of drinking and clubbing. How Ironic was the night for someone like me who is a teetotaller doing a cocktail tasting.

Yes,I had small sips from a variety of spirts and combination-Gin,Whisky,Rum,Vodka and Kamikaze shot(Vodka,Triple sec and lime juice ) with sweetened caviar was interesting . Popcorn flavoured cocktail with vodka sport I guess was the one that blew my mind with another one being the bubble tea cocktail and changed its colour after bubble Tea was poured.

This would have been the perfect start for Ones who love drinking ,But For me it was an experience worth sharing. I was literally high on spirts by the end of the cocktail tasting.