10 Citrus Fruit Indian Cocktails to Make

When it comes to delicious cocktails, you cannot go wrong with a citrus fruit one.

Some of the most well known citrus fruits include oranges, lemons, grapefruits and limes.

Cocktails are becoming more innovative and when citrus fruits are squeezed and the juices are combined with various ingredients and alcohol, the result is a refreshing drink.

Such cocktails have a subtle tartness but the addition of other ingredients provides a fresh taste.

Meanwhile, India is known for its bold flavours and these 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 new ones.

Here are 10 citrus fruit Indian cocktails to make.

Jaisalmer Rose Spritz

Jaisalmer Rose Spritz is a standout Indian cocktail that boasts an array of flavours.

It has quite a tart flavour thanks to the grapefruit syrup and lime juice.

But rose lemonade mellows the taste and also gives the drink its signature pink hue.

Ingredients

• 50ml Jaisalmer Gin
• 15ml grapefruit syrup
• 20ml lime juice
• Rose lemonade

Method

1. Add gin and grapefruit syrup to a highball glass.
2. Pour in the lime juice.
3. Add ice cubes and top with rose lemonade.
4. Garnish with an edible flower and enjoy.

Jamuntini

This martini comes with a sweet and sour taste thanks to the addition of jamun.

It has a vibrant purple colour and is an explosion of fruity yumminess in your mouth.

The fruity flavour and bright colour make for a delicious summer drink.

Ingredients

• 60ml dry gin
• 5-6 jamun
• 10ml lime juice
• 15ml sugar syrup
• Ice
• Salt, for the glass rim

Method

1. In a cocktail shaker, add the jamuns. Add the gin, lime juice, sugar syrup and top with ice.
2. Shake well then double strain into a chilled salt-rimmed cocktail glass. Serve immediately.

Epitome Paan Berry

This particular citrus fruit Indian cocktail features an added twist.

This Indian cocktail is a fruity one, but the addition of betel leaf syrup and gulkand syrup give this drink a recognisable paan taste.

For those who enjoy paan, this is a cocktail to make.

Ingredients

• 60ml gin
• 60ml vodka
• 10ml lime juice
• 20ml cranberry juice
• 30ml passionfruit puree
• 20ml betel leaf syrup
• 5ml gulkand syrup

Method

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour all the ingredients in.
2. Shake well then pour into a balloon wine glass.

Jaisalmer Mango Panagam

During the warmer months, mango is in season, making for a great cocktail.

But this drink has a citrus fruit twist with the inclusion of lime.

The sweetness of the mango syrup compliments the gin and contrasts with the slight sourness of the lime juice, making for an Indian cocktail that is layered with flavour.

Ingredients

• 50ml Jaisalmer Gin
• 15ml mango syrup
• 20ml lime juice
• Ginger ale
• Coconut chips (to garnish)

Method

1. In an old fashioned glass, add gin and mango syrup.
2. Pour in the lime juice and stir.
3. Add ice cubes to the glass and top with ginger ale.
4. Garnish with coconut chips and enjoy.

Tanqueray Bee’s Knees

This unique cocktail has an array of flavours ranging from sweet, sour and spicy.

While this citrus cocktail contains lemon juice, much of the citrus flavour comes from the Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Distilled Gin.

Rangpur limes are a rare fruit from India and carry the zestiness of limes and juiciness of oranges.

The unique taste of the gin combined with the other ingredients makes for a refreshing cocktail.

Ingredients

• 50ml Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Distilled Gin
• 30ml lemon juice
• 20ml honey
• 1-inch fresh ginger, sliced

Method

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the gin, lemon juice and honey. Shake well.
2. Double strain into an old fashioned glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with ginger and enjoy.

This recipe was inspired by Tanqueray.

Jaisalmer Spiced Orange Gin & Tonic

If you are looking for a cocktail to enjoy in the evening then this is the one for you.

It is an Indian twist on gin and tonic, but with the added inclusion of orange to give this drink extra flavour.

Aromas of orange and various spices are prevalent while the gin gives this drink a much-needed kick.

Ingredients

• 50ml Jaisalmer Gin
• 15ml simple syrup
• ½ Orange
• Aromatic tonic water
• Lime slice, dehydrated (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 lime slice.

Tamarind Margarita

The Tamarind Margarita is an Indian cocktail that has a beautiful balance of citrus fruits.

It offers subtle bitterness, sweetness and sourness, finished with a hint of saltiness from the rim of the glass.

The variety of flavours in just one glass makes for a great summer drink.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces tequila
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 2 ounces lime juice
• 0.4 ounces orange juice
• 0.4 ounces simple syrup
• 0.2 ounces tamarind paste

Method

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the tamarind paste with tequila and triple sec until it has fully dissolved.
2. Add the remaining ingredients. Shake well and pour into a salt-rimmed double rocks glass over ice.
3. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Mumbai Mule

This Indian version of the popular Moscow Mule will be both refreshing and warming to the palate.

The ginger makes this cocktail a pungent one but the lime juice provides a citrus flavour that balances out this drink.

This cocktail is perfect for the cold months 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.

Black Buck G & Tea

This Indian-inspired cocktail contains Darjeeling green tea. West Bengal’s district of Darjeeling is known for its tea.

It is combined with the sour flavours of lemongrass and lemon while the syrup offers some sweetness. Lemon juice can be added to your preferred taste, meaning this cocktail is truly one of a kind.

This citrus fruit cocktail is ideal for sipping in the sun.

Ingredients

• 50ml Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin
• 100ml Darjeeling green tea
• 15ml lemongrass syrup
• Lemon juice to taste
• A pinch of matcha green tea powder
• Ice

Method

1. To make the lemongrass syrup, add 500 grams of sugar to 500 millilitres of water and add two sticks of lemongrass to infuse.
2. Fill a highball glass with ice and pour in the gin.
3. Add freshly brewed cold green tea and lemon juice.
4. Top with the lemongrass syrup and a pinch of matcha green tea powder.
5. Stir gently and serve.

Boozy Nimbu Pani

Nimbu Pani, or Shikanji, is a popular Indian drink that is similar to lemonade.

It is a zesty and refreshing drink with the added inclusion of cumin and salt for even more flavour.

Add some bourbon whisky to transform this beverage into a delicious cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1 Lemon, juiced
• 600ml cups cold water
• 50ml bourbon whisky
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp chaat masala
• A pinch of cumin powder
• A pinch of black pepper
• 2 tbsp sugar
• Lemon slices (to garnish)
• Mint leaves (to garnish)
• Ice cubes, as needed

Method

1. Place all the ingredients into a large pitcher and mix until well combined.
2. Taste and adjust the amount of salt and sugar to your preferred taste then refrigerate.
3. When ready to drink, pour 25 millilitres of bourbon into two tall glasses over ice. Evenly pour in the nimbu pani and stir.
4. Garnish with mint and sliced lemon and enjoy.

This recipe was adapted from Vegan Richa.

These citrus fruit Indian cocktails are bound to provide a refreshing taste in every sip.

The inclusion of other ingredients means a variety of flavours and ensures that there is something for all cocktail lovers.

So, if you are looking for a tangy cocktail, try these out!