5 Monsoon Cocktails That Turn India's Favourite Rainy-Day Drinks Into Classic Serves

From Kahwa to Masala Chai, rainy-day drinks have long been a part of traditional Indian cuisine. These monsoon cocktails take inspiration from signature Indian drinks, following established mixology rules but without losing the original taste of the drink. The idea is to preserve the identity of each monsoon drink while integrating it with selected flavours and liquor.

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5 Monsoon Cocktails Crafted From Traditional Indian Rainy-Day Beverages

The ingredients in Kashmiri kahwa include green tea, cardamom, cinnamon, saffron and almonds, which are also the basics for preparing hot whisky cocktails. Rather than changing the drink entirely, it becomes a Hot Toddy cocktail by replacing plain hot water with freshly brewed kahwa. Lemon juice adds brightness to the flavour of the tea, while honey helps to suppress the bitter undertones of tea while complementing saffron and spices. The use of Johnnie Walker Black Label provides a bit of smokiness as well as some notes of oak and dried fruit that authentically mesh with the flavour profile of kahwa.

The unique sweet and spicy flavours of ginger tea make it an ideal component of a Gin Sour cocktail during rainy monsoon season. The nuance of ginger tea perfectly complements the acidity of lemons, while gin, such as Tanqueray London Dry Gin, provides distinct botanical flavours, which go hand in hand with ginger. A hint of elderflower liqueur further develops the spicy flavour of ginger, resulting in a complex drink with balanced notes of citrus, spice and botanicals.

Masala chai, a blend of tea, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger, works very well as the basis of a Whisky Tea Punch cocktail. The brewed masala chai takes the place of a simple black tea normally used in the drink and makes the cocktail more flavourful. The small amount of whisky provides grainy and oak flavours, while a bit of citrus helps to keep the spices from being heavy. Opting for a whisky like The Singleton 12 helps in achieving these flavours seamlessly.

The combination of garlic, tomato, cumin, and pepper in Rasam serves as the perfect base for the unique Rasam Bloody Mary cocktail, which is suitable for the rainy season. Here, the vodka complements the tomato flavour and lets the spices shine through. This drink builds complexity by taking advantage of the well-known combination of rasam spices. As a result, the drink gets a savoury flavour and herbal tones. 

The herbal and mildly spicy properties of tulsi tea make it a perfect option for a Whisky Highball cocktail that can be consumed cold, especially during the rainy season. The use of tulsi tea adds an earthy and fragrant flavour that complements the light oak and malt of a whisky. The addition of sparkling water ensures that the drink is textured and doesn't conceal the unique taste of the herb. Served over ice with a simple garnish like a maple leaf candy, the cocktail remains clean, balanced and centred on tulsi's unmistakable botanical character.

Tips For Balanced Monsoon Cocktails

When adapting seasonal drinks into monsoon cocktails, preserving the original beverage should remain the priority.

• Brew tea fresh instead of using concentrates.

• Add citrus after brewing to preserve its aroma.

• Keep sweeteners restrained so tea and spice flavours remain noticeable.

• Choose established cocktail styles that naturally match the drink's ingredients.

Conclusion

The best monsoon cocktails do nothing but expand the scope of traditional drinks consumed by Indians during monsoon. Drinks like Kahwa, ginger tea, Masala Chai, lemongrass tea, and tulsi tea contain flavours similar to traditional cocktails such as the Hot Toddy cocktail, the Ginger Toddy cocktail and the Whisky Tea Punch cocktail. By keeping the base drink intact, the monsoon cocktails remain loyal to their drinking culture and maintain a balance of tea, citrus, and spice flavours.

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