By Neha Mehrotra
Gone are the days when a dram was best enjoyed neat or on the rocks—today, whisky cocktails are stealing the show, shaking up the drinking scene with bold flavours and inventive twists. Whether you’re a die-hard single malt purist or a cocktail enthusiast looking for your next favourite sip, Indian restaurants are raising the bar (quite literally!) with some seriously innovative whisky concoctions.
In honour of International Whisky Day, here’s where you need to head to taste the finest whisky cocktails. Read below and take notes!
1. Cactus at Ophellia, New Delhi
A bold and aromatic blend of bourbon, montenegro, bergamot, and cherry bitters, this cocktail is smooth, has a citrusy zing, and just the right touch of cherry’s bittersweet charm. Served in an old-fashioned glass and topped with a cherry, it’s the kind of drink that makes you lean back, take a slow sip, and savour it with Mediterranean delicacies.
2. Kanchipuram Silk at PCO Bombay
This spirit-forward cocktail blends ghee-infused bourbon, crafted through fat-washing, with orange bitters and a rich cashew nut foam, finished with an elegant touch of edible gold spray for a nutty indulgence.
3. Full Moon Rising at Easy Tiger by Boraan, Gurugram
It is the kind of cocktail that keeps you coming back for another sip! This elegant blend of Toki whisky, nutty buckwheat tea, and the sweet-tart depth of Choya Umeshu (plum wine) creates a smooth, umami-rich experience.
4. Jazz Club at Luuma House, Mumbai
A smoky Bourbon creation with masala tea, French vanilla, and anantamool. It’s a stirred cocktail crafted for a bold, aromatic experience and is the perfect sip if you appreciate a complex, spiced flavour.
5. Nutty Marine Sour at Grappa, Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi
Expertly shaken, the Nutty Marine Sour blends whisky, hazelnut, banana syrup, and fresh blueberries for a rich yet refreshing balance. Garnished with hazelnuts on a banana leaf and served with fragrant rosemary smoke, it delivers a unique, multisensory drinking experience.
6. Nizami Sour Drink at IDYLLL Bengaluru
A sophisticated twist on the classic whisky sour, the cocktail blends the smooth richness of Jameson Irish Whisky with the exotic warmth of Peppery Zafran Brix. A touch of lime juice and orange marmalade adds a perfect balance of citrus and sweetness, while vegan foam creates a velvety mouthfeel.
7. Nikkei Sour at Los Cavos, Mumbai
The Nikkei Sour gives you a warm, fruity, and herbal concoction. With ingredients like citrus grapefruit liqueur, sweet apricot liqueur, fresh mint and lemon-thyme vanilla, every sip is refreshing and transports you to the flavours of Peru.
8. Smokey Old Fashioned at Nouba, Jaipur
Smooth, smoky, and richly layered, this Old Fashioned elevates Bourbon’s caramel and vanilla notes with the warmth of bitters and the earthy depth of smoked rosemary. The subtle charred aroma lingers, creating a bold yet balanced sip that’s both classic and captivating.
9. Hyatt Regency, New Delhi
A refined cocktail blending Dewar’s 12 with pear and cardamom cordial, bright lime juice, and aromatic smoked rosemary, creating a smooth, spiced, and subtly smoky drinking experience.
10. Longdrive at Cobblers and Crew, Pune
The Longdrive is a bold, bittersweet blend of oaky Jim Beam, nutty pistachio, and aromatic betel leaf Rosso, with saffron Campari adding spiced depth. Sous vide and pot ageing create a rich, smooth complexity, making each sip refined.
11. DIRTY MONEY at Lyla, Mumbai
Smooth yet complex, the cocktail blends whisky’s rich warmth with the zing of ginger ale, the freshness of mint water, and the aromatic depth of curry leaf bitters.
12. Pear & Vanilla Old Fashioned at Yazu Goa
Smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced—the cocktail blends Dewar’s 12-Year with velvety vanilla syrup, citrussy triple sec, and caramelised pear. Stirred to perfection, finished with a crisp dehydrated pear.
13. La Picara at Milagro, Mumbai
It features blended Scotch whisky, homemade salted caramel, rosso vermouth, a few drops of saline solution, and bitters, garnished with a house-marinated cherry for a perfectly balanced, indulgent sip.
14. Mango Menthe by QLA Delhi
A pre-batched whisky cocktail with Alphonso mango, mint, and lime, clarified with milk for smoothness, and garnished with mango papad for a tangy-sweet twist. Refreshing yet sophisticated!
15. Le Guernica at Arts Room, Delhi
Inspired by Picasso’s masterpiece, this cocktail packs a punch with 80% Manam dark chocolate-washed whisky, a hint of chilli bitters, and a touch of sweetness. It’s rich, intense, and art presented in a glass. Pair it with some chocolate and Brunost Cheese.
