10 Classic Indian Snacks Paired With Modern Cocktails For Match Parties

Author: Aishwarya S

Four glasses—two with orange iced drinks and two with clear liquid—sit on coasters around a small vase with flowers on a dark table in a cozy, colorful room.

With match season underway, summer evenings are almost always filled with guests coming over to grab a bite and watch television. A home host can put together well-thought snacks during match season, featuring different snacks across diverse Indian regions to mark the specialty of each province.

A mason jar filled with a pink fizzy drink, ice cubes, two straws, a lemon slice garnish, and white flowers on a wooden surface.

What’s more, such classic snacks can also be paired with dynamic, modern, flavourful cocktails which complement their spicy, tangy and umami flavour notes.

Read on below to know more about some of the classic Indian snacks that can be paired with modern cocktails for match parties hosted at home:

Four glasses of colorful cocktails with fruit garnishes are lined up on a white table, with a glass of lemon wedges visible in the foreground.

Aloo Tikki Chaat

Recommended Pairing: Mango Habanero Whisky Sour

Hailing from the streets of Delhi and known as much for its soft tikki as for its spicy mint chutney and tangy pudina chutney, the aloo tikki chaat will be complemented nicely by a modern mango habanero whisky sour complete with the sweetness of the fruit pulp, the smoky notes of 30 ml Johnnie Walker Black Label or any other premium whisky of choice and the spicy hint of habanero peppers.

Jhalmuri

Recommended Pairing: Pineapple And Chilli Fizz

In Kolkata’s winding lanes, one finds the jhalmuri, a spicy and tangy snack prepared using puffed rice, tangy lime juice, some chilli powder and cumin powder and a hint of coriander. Pair this snack with a sweet and spicy pineapple and chilli fizz made using 30 ml Gordon’s Original London Dry Gin or any other premium gin of choice for a complementary flavour coupling.

A spiral white platter filled with sev puri, topped with chopped onions, herbs, and various chutneys.

Handvo

Recommended Pairing: Chilli Pineapple Daiquiri

With origins in Gujarat, handvo is often prepared as an evening snack served with mint chutney. Mildly spiced handvo can be paired with a tropical cocktail, the chilli and pineapple daiquiri. The tangy notes of pineapple juice and caramelised flavour of 30 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum or any other premium rum of choice can go well with the nutty and umami handvo in a contrasting mix.

Vada Pav

Recommended Pairing: Cucumber Gin Fizz

One of Mumbai’s most famous snacks, the classic vada pav is a spicy potato fritter placed inside a fresh pav, served with fried and salted chillies. Pair vada pav with an herby cucumber gin fizz made using 30 ml Tanqueray No. 10 Gin or any other premium gin of choice.

Several metal skewers with pieces of marinated meat are grilling over hot charcoal.

Benne Masala Dosa

Recommended Pairing: Coconut Serrano Margarita Cocktails

A popular snack from Bangalore, the butter masala dosa is a filling offering for guests on match day. This snack can be prepared fresh at home and paired with a coconut serrano margarita cocktail made using 30 ml Don Julio Blanco Tequila or any other premium tequila of choice and 15 ml coconut cream for a blend of savoury and creamy flavours.

Galouti Kebabs

Recommended Pairing: Black Pepper Negroni

A spicy mutton snack from Lucknow, galouti kebabs marinated in a mix of umami, earthy spices would pair well with a similarly spicy and savoury negroni made using 30 ml Tanqueray No. 10 Gin or any other premium gin of choice. The kebabs and cocktail will come together in a well-suited mix of savoury and deep flavour notes.

A glass of orange cocktail with ice and orange slices sits on a table; blurred oranges are visible in the background.

Sundal

Recommended Pairing: Tamarind Whisky Smash

A snack made from chickpeas and mixed masala, the sundal can be prepared as an ode to Chennai’s street food on match day. This spicy and sour crisp will go well with the tangy notes of a tamarind whisky smash made using 30 ml Johnnie Walker Gold Label or any other premium whisky of choice.

Pyaz ki Kachori

Recommended Pairing: Mango Mule

Pair the famous pyaz ki kachori from Jaipur with a modern twist on the classic moscow mule recipe. The sweet flavours of mango infused in 30 ml Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice will undercut some of the oniony notes in the kachori for an interesting flavour mix.

Grilled chicken and vegetable skewers served with a slice of feta cheese, lettuce, and sliced red onions on a plate.

Punjabi Samosa

Recommended Pairing: Hibiscus And Jalapeño Paloma

Spicy and rich in flavour, the Punjabi samosa stands out because of its luxurious potato stuffing served with spicy coriander and mint chutney. Pair this favoured snack with the floral and spicy notes of a hibiscus and jalapeño paloma made using 30 ml Don Julio Blanco Tequila or any other premium tequila of choice.

Boti Kebab

Recommended Pairing: Mango Colada

Pair the succulent boti kebabs from Hyderabad with a dynamic mango colada made using sweet mango puree and 30 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum or any other premium rum of choice. The spiciness of the snack will be undercut by the sweet and creamy notes of the cocktail in this contrasting flavour blend.

Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.

About the Author

Aishwarya S

Aishwarya is a features writer engaged in telling stories about evolving mixology cultures and bartending trends. She writes on an array of subjects, including cocktail basics, home hosting tips, bartending 101s and narratives rooted in cocktail-making experiences. Fond of working with regional, seasonal flavours, she is not one to shy away from dabbling in experimental mixology.

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