Classic Indian Cocktail Party Snacks Paired With Modern Cocktails For Match Parties

Summer evenings during match season are almost always about friends, cousins and close relatives coming over for watch parties. Cocktail party snacks are among the organisational endeavours that need to be taken up in earnest on such evenings. As the house starts filling up with guests, drinks and small bites accompanying them are set out in front of the television. A clever home host can bring together well-thought-out snacks with complementary cocktail pairings to feature diverse Indian regions and highlight the regional flavours that mark the culinary specialities of each province.

The cocktails paired with these snacks can be modern, flavourful, seasonal mixes, which go well with the vibrant spice, tang and umami essence of the regional recipes. Cocktail party snacks themed around different regions will also carry special significance during the match viewing experience. 

Recommended Pairing: Mango Habanero Whisky Sour

A famed street food from Delhi, known as much for its soft aloo tikki as for its spicy mint chutney and tangy tamarind chutney, aloo tikki chaat can be a tasty cocktail party snack during a match viewing party. Complement it with a modern mango habanero whisky sour complete with the sweetness of the summery fruit pulp, the smoky notes of 30 ml whisky and the contrasting spicy hint of habanero peppers.

Recommended Pairing: Chilli Pineapple Daiquiri

Hailing from Gujarat’s local culinary cultures, handvo can be an interesting cocktail party snack, complete with savoury and spicy flavours and the vibrant sharpness of freshly made mint chutney. Handvo can be paired with a tropical cocktail such as the chilli and pineapple daiquiri, attuned to the vibe of the summer season. The tangy notes of pineapple juice and the caramelised flavour of 30 ml premium dark rum can become an interesting contrast with the nutty and umami handvo.

Recommended Pairing: Pineapple And Chilli Fizz

One can easily find jhalmuri along Kolkata’s winding lanes: a spicy and tangy snack made using puffed rice, tangy lime juice, chilli powder, cumin powder and a hint of coriander. This crispy, local masala mix carries bright flavours that pair well with a sweet and spicy pineapple and chilli fizz made using premium 30 ml London Dry gin, the tang of the tropical fruit and a very mild spice emanating from a chilli powder sprinkle.

Recommended Pairing: Coconut Serrano Margarita Cocktail

A popular snack from Bangalore, the butter masala dosa or benne dosa is a filling offering for guests on match day. One of the more interesting cocktail party snacks, prepare this fresh and warm at home and serve it with a coconut and tomato chutney. The dish will go well with a tropical-themed coconut serrano margarita cocktail made using 30 ml tequila and 15 ml coconut cream that blends savoury and creamy flavours.

Recommended Pairing: Black Pepper Negroni

Galouti kebabs, a spicy treat from Lucknow, bring together umami, smoky and earthy flavours in a luxurious appetiser that pairs exceedingly well with the similarly spiced and deep notes of a negroni laced with hints of black pepper. Use 30 ml gin to make the negroni that complements the savoury and deep flavours of the much-favoured regional small bite.

Recommended Pairing: Tamarind Whisky Smash

A snack made from chickpeas and mixed masala, sundal is an ode to Chennai’s street food and ideal for match day. This spicy and sour crisp generally goes well with the tangy notes of a tamarind whisky smash made using 30 ml premium whisky. Of the different cocktail party snacks, the sweet and spicy sundal does rank high as a favoured dish among guests.

Recommended Pairing: Cucumber Gin Fizz

One of Mumbai’s most favoured street foods, the classic vada pav needs no introduction. It is a spicy potato fritter placed inside a soft, fresh pav, served with garlic chutney and fried, salted chillies. Pair the vada pav, easily one of the most classic cocktail party snacks, with a herby cucumber gin fizz made using 30 ml gin, muddled cucumbers and 90 ml tonic water. 

Recommended Pairing: Mango Mule

Cocktail party snacks cannot get better than a delicious pyaz ki kachori dipped in tangy tamarind dressing. Pair Jaipur’s famed pyaz ki kachori with a drink that lends a modern twist to the classic Moscow mule recipe, the mango mule. The sweet flavours of mango infused in 30 ml vodka will undercut some of the oniony notes in the kachori for an interesting flavour mix. 

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 house party snack with the floral and spicy notes of a hibiscus and jalapeño paloma made using 30 ml tequila, chopped jalapeños, chilled hibiscus tea and a splash of grapefruit juice.

Recommended Pairing: Mango Colada

Succulent boti kebabs from Hyderabad will go well with a dynamic mango colada made using sweet mango puree and 30 ml dark rum. The spiciness of the snack will be undercut by the sweet and creamy notes of the cocktail in this contrasting flavour blend. Boti kebabs are excellent cocktail party snacks as they will be sumptuous enough during the viewing while still leaving room for dinner.

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