JANUARY

It’s been a crazy year-end, and I’m sure you’re in the mood to detox and unwind. That doesn’t mean you need to ditch the tipple, though. Here’s something easy and smooth, with a delicious wine kick.

Upper East Side Wine Cup (The Benedict Bistro & Bar)

Ingredients:

 

• Red Wine

 

• Berry Syrup

 

• Mint Leaves

 

• Cranberry Juice

 

• Angostura Bitters

 

Method:

Add mint and other ingredients to a hurricane glass. top with crushed ice and garnish with mint sprigs and a slice of orange.

FEBRUARY

This Valentine’s Day, ditch the common red for 50 shades of black. This deliciously complex cocktail is a perfect introduction to the wicked things you will line up for the rest of the month.

Black Scandinavian (Tappa)

Ingredients:

 

• Aquavit

 

• Squid Ink Cream

 

• White Cocoa Syrup

 

• Egg White

 

• Sea Salt Water

 

• Citrus Soda

 

Method:

Mix all the ingredients except the egg white and sea salt water. Top the mixture with them and shake well. Strain and pour in a glass over ice. Top with citrus soda.

MARCH

As winter slowly recedes, it’s time to bring out the fruits and start enjoying tropical gifts.

Wood and Smoke (POH)

Ingredients:

 

• Vodka

 

• Litchi Juice

 

• Pineapple Juice

 

• Lemongrass

 

• Fresh Pineapple

 

• Kaffir Lime

 

 Method:

Mix the vodka with the pineapple and litchi juices. Grind and add the lemongrass, and add the kaffir lime and pineapple separately into the mix. Strain and pour into a margarita glass.

APRIL

A perfect concoction to welcome spring, this cocktail looks as poetic as a haiku – and promises to be equally swift as a drink.

Butterfly Pea (Nara Thai)

 Ingredients:

 

• Pisco

 

• Butterfly Pea-infused Vodka

 

• Lime Juice

 

• Sugar Syrup

 

• Egg White

 

Method:

Shake all the ingredients together and pour into a champagne saucer. Garnish with dried butterfly pea.

MAY

The summer descends on us hot and heavy, and there’s nothing more soothing than enjoying the breeze in an open garden, with the trees rustling above a cocktail.

Sitting In An English Garden Waiting For The Sun (Slink and Bardot)

Ingredients:

 

• Dry Gin

 

• Elderflower

 

• Cucumber Juice

 

• Lime

 

• Egg White

 

• Lavender Bitters

 

Method:

Mix All The Ingredients Well And Pour Into A Martini Glass.

JUNE

As the monsoon sets in, driving away the last dregs of summer heat, you need your favourite book and a light, easy drink.

Life of Pie (Kode)

 Ingredients:

 

• Gin Mixed With Aperol

 

• Grapefruit And Orange Decoction

 

• Passionfruit Syrup

 

• Lemon Juice

 

• Bitters

 

• Passionfruit Soda

 

Method:

Mix all the ingredients and top it up with homemade passionfruit soda.

JULY

Soaked to the bone, coffee or soup might not always be the best solution. How about a spicy kick to heat up all those homebound weekends?

Wasabi Martini (Conrad Pune)

Ingredients:

 

• Vodka

 

• Sugar Syrup

 

• Lime Juice

 

• Wasabi Paste

 

• Cucumber Slice

 

• Mint Leaves

 

Method:

In a shaker, muddle cucumber slices along with mint leaves, and add lime juice, sugar syrup, wasabi paste and vodka. Shake well and double-strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with cucumber flower and mint sprigs.        

AUGUST

As the year moves into its more happening half, here’s an excuse to start the celebrations early.

La Caina (Xico)

Ingredients:

 

• Tequila

 

• Triple Sec

 

• Chartreuse

 

• Orgeat Syrup

 

• Lime

 

Method:

Shake all the ingredients well and pour into a stemless wine glass.

SEPTEMBER

It is the month of the country’s biggest festivals, and here’s a desi addition to all the binge-eating and taash parties.

Punch Buggy (Sassy Spoon)

Ingredients:

 

• Gin

 

• Citrus Vodka

 

• Sour Mix

 

• Betel Leaves

 

Method:

Muddle one betel leaf in a boston shaker and add the rest of the ingredients, along with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

OCTOBER

As the first hint of autumn settles into the city, you need the perfect concoction to accompany the humid evenings.

Jin Gin (Pa Pa Ya)

Ingredients:

 

• Gin •Capsicum •Coriander Leaves •Thai Chilli Reduction •A Hint of Togarashi

 

Method:

Muddle and strain all the ingredients into a rock glass on ice.

NOVEMBER

Need the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving vibe? Look no further.

Pumpkin Pie (Woodside Inn)

Ingredients:

 

• Whisky

 

• Roasted Pumpkin Purée

 

• Honeycomb

 

Method:

Mix the ingredients well and pour into a stem glass. Finish off with a honeycomb rim.

DECEMBER

Let’s make Christmas a little interesting, shall we? Chuck the rum and the mulled wine and enjoy the company of a whisky cocktail, with heady hints of anise and kaffir lime, along with coffee and orange, for that final hallelujah.

Kimao (Nara Thai)

Ingredients:

 

• Whisky

 

• Coffee and Orange Liqueur

 

• Anise Bitters

 

• Kaffir Lime

 

• Tincture

 

Method:

Gently stir the ingredients into a champagne saucer and serve. Easy peasy.