10 Best Indian Cocktails to Enjoy at Christmas

Christmas is around the corner and it is a time for enjoying yourself so why not make some Indian cocktails?

India is known for bold flavours and these are prevalent in the cuisine.

However, not many realise that these exotic flavours can be used to create some of the most wonderful cocktails.

These flavours can provide an Indian twist to some well-known cocktails or they can create completely original ones.

These cocktail creations are perfect during the festive period, whether it be for a party or relaxing with family and friends.

Here are 10 Indian cocktails to enjoy at Christmas.

Paan Ki Dukaan

Not only is this a delicious Indian cocktail but betel leaves have health benefits.

The leaf is recommended for the common cold, making this cocktail suited for the winter and the Christmas period.

The vodka provides a warming sensation and a cherry on top only adds to its elegance.

Ingredients

• 2 Paan leaves (use extra for the garnish)
• 4 Cardamom
• 1 tsp gulkand (rose petal preserve)
• 45ml vodka
• 15ml sambuca
• 1 Maraschino cherry

Method

1. In a cocktail shaker, grind the paan leaves, gulkand and cardamom.
2. Add vodka, sambuca and ice. Shake well.
3. Finely strain into a glass filled with ice and paan leaves.
4. Place the cherry on top and serve.

Mumma Nu Double Dose

This is a fiery cocktail that combines two of India’s most popular alcohol choices for Christmas, rum and whisky.

It has a dash of syrup for sweetness and is garnished with a bright marigold flower.

The warming taste makes it a comforting drink during Christmas.

Ingredients

• 30ml dark rum
• 30ml whisky
• 45ml date and saffron syrup
• 15ml lime juice
• 1 Egg white
• 1 Marigold flower

Method

1. In a cocktail shaker, add all the ingredients along with ice. Shake well.
2. Remove the ice then shake again.
3. Pour into a saucer glass, garnish with the marigold and serve.

Chai Martini

Chai is a staple drink in India so why not create an alcoholic twist to enjoy during the festive period.

This Indian cocktail has the recognisable flavours of chai but with the added taste of alcohol.

Make sure to add plenty of crushed ice and be generous with your favourite liqueur.

Ingredients

• 4 Masala chai teabags
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 ounce of any liqueur of your choice
• Nutmeg, freshly ground
• Star-anise

Method

1. In a large cup, pour the boiling water over the teabags. Let them steep for five minutes. Remove and squeeze out any excess tea before discarding.
2. Place the tea into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
3. In a cocktail shaker, add half a cup of the tea, vodka and liqueur of your choice. Add the crushed ice and shake well.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with nutmeg, star-anise and serve.

Spicy Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule is a popular cocktail to enjoy at Christmas so why not put a Desi twist on the classic beverage?

Filled with ginger and various spices, this Indian cocktail is both refreshing and warming to the palate.

This drink is perfect for Christmas when you want to enjoy a warming, yet flavourful drink.

Ingredients

• 60ml vodka
• 20ml lime juice
• 20ml ginger syrup
• Ginger beer
• Spices of your choice

Method

1. In a metal cup, mix all the ingredients together. Stir until everything has fully combined.
2. Top with ginger beer and garnish with spices.

Curry Scotch Smash

Not only does this Indian cocktail contain scotch but it also has the recognisable flavours of curry, giving this drink a warming flavour.

A handful of mint provides a kick of freshness.

This blend provides a nice balance that is perfect to drink during Christmas.

Ingredients

• 60ml blended scotch
• 25ml lemon juice
• 25ml curry simple syrup
• A handful of mint

Method

1. Place all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake well then strain into a tall cocktail glass and serve.

Winter is Here

This is a comforting combination of whisky, lime, pineapple juice and spicy pomegranate syrup.

The ingredients make for a sweet, sour and spicy drink.

This cocktail is a true winter drink that you can enjoy with friends before a Christmas night out.

Ingredients

• 60ml whisky
• 20ml lime juice
• 30ml pomegranate spice syrup
• 45ml pineapple juice

Method

1. Place all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake well.
2. Pour into a tall glass over ice.
3. Garnish with a sprig of mint and serve.

Khaara Masala Spiced Wine

This is a Desi spin on the classic Christmas drink mulled wine.

Some of the extra ingredients include cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, adding layers of flavour to this Indian cocktail.

To add an authentic Indian touch, serve in a kullhad, which is a traditional terracotta cup.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 60g demerara sugar
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 8 Cloves
• 2 big black cardamom
• 1 Orange, sliced into half
• 1 dried bay leaf
• A pinch of nutmeg, grated
• 60ml damson gin (optional)

Method

1. In a saucepan, add the wine, orange, sugar, bay leaf and spices. Gently heat until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the damson gin if you like.
3. Strain into kullhads or heatproof glasses and serve immediately.

Brandy Toddy

One of the best ways to keep warm during the festive period is to enjoy a glass of brandy toddy.

This Indian cocktail contains honey, cardamom and cinnamon sticks, offering a variety of flavours to please the tastebuds.

Ingredients

• 60ml brandy
• 30ml apple juice
• 10ml honey
• 5ml lemon juice
• 8 Cloves
• 3-4 Lime slices
• 2 Cinnamon sticks
• 2 Star-anise
• 10-12 Orange peel
• 2 Green cardamom, crushed
• 150ml boiling water

Method

1. In a brandy balloon glass, place all the ingredients.
2. Stir continuously until all the ingredients have fully combined then enjoy.

Jaisalmer Spiced Orange Gin & Tonic

This is a warming cocktail to enjoy during the evening, maybe before heading out to a Christmas party.

Aromas of orange and various spices are prevalent while the gin adds a nice kick to the standard gin and tonic.

Ingredients

• 50ml Jaisalmer Gin
• 15ml simple syrup
• ½ Orange, juiced
• Aromatic tonic water
• Orange slice, dehydrated (to garnish)
• Rosemary (to garnish)

Method

1. In a highball glass, add gin and simple syrup.
2. Squeeze the orange half into the glass and add ice cubes.
3. Top with tonic water and garnish with the dehydrated orange slice and rosemary.

The Snowman’s Cooler

This colourful drink is ideal for Christmas, especially during parties as it will stand out to your guests.

The three tiers are made up of frozen melon syrup, cucumber and the main cocktail, making it a slushy glass of goodness.

While it might be time-consuming to make, it certainly is one of the most appealing Indian cocktails to enjoy at Christmas.

Ingredients

• 60ml vodka
• Ice cubes
• Basil leaves
• Melon syrup
• Cucumber chunks
• A dash of lime juice

Method

1. Blend together cucumber chunks, melon syrup, basil leaves, ice cubes, lime juice and vodka.
2. Let it freeze until it has a slushy texture.
3. Freeze a dash of melon syrup until it starts to harden then pour into a martini glass.
4. Partially blend some of the cucumber chunks then add to the martini glass.
5. Pour the cocktail over and garnish with a cucumber slice.

These 10 Indian cocktails contain a variety of ingredients, meaning that there is something for everyone, especially when it comes to the choice of alcohol.

With so many flavourful ingredients to choose from, enjoy the Christmas holidays with a warming Indian cocktail!