Tiki Cocktails Across India

This article first appeared in print and online on 30th June in the Sunday Magazine section of The New Indian Express newspaper https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/lifestyle/food/2024/Jun/29/a-rum-affair-with-tiki-cocktails

Unusual Indian Summer Drinks

 

(This article first appeared online on 21st May 2024 on Live Mint, India https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/food/rare-regional-summer-drinks-india-11716279651010.html)

The Herbalcohol Way

 

(This article first appeared in print and online on 7th April in the Sunday Magazine section of The New Indian Express newspaper https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/food/2024/Apr/06/the-herbalcohol-way)

Indian Craft Beers 2.0

 

(This article first appeared in print online on 6th April 2024 on Live Mint, India & Mint Lounge newspaper 

https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/drink/barrel-aged-beers-india-brewery-2024-111712286234696.html)

New-Age Healthy Cocktails

 

(This article first appeared online on 14th February 2024 on Live Mint and in print on 15th February in Mint newspaper India on page 14 https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/drink/low-calorie-skinny-cocktails-conscious-drink-trends-2024-111707877699595.html)

Seven Wine Forward Restaurants in India

 

(This article first appeared online on 24th May 2023 in Mint Lounge, India https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/discover/wine-forward-restaurants-india-wine-lists-111684904827638.html)

India's Lesser Known Summer Drinks

(This article first appeared online on 12th April 2023 in Mint Lounge, India https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/drink/explore-regional-drinks-of-india-this-summer-111681224760119.html)

Ca Phe Trung (egg coffee) at Café Giang

 

(This article first appeared online on 27th June 2022 in Mint Lounge, India https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/discover/do-you-know-of-this-egg-yolk-coffee-from-vietnam-111656245393493.html)

Five alcohol museums around the world

 

(This article first appeared online on 15th September 2021 on ZeeZest https://zeezest.com/food/all-about-alcohol-museum-in-goa-say-cheers-to-alcohol-museums-around-the-world-909)

6 Of The Best Drinks Premixes That You Can Try At Home

 

This article was published on 26th May 2021 online on NDTV Food https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/6-of-the-best-drinks-premixes-that-you-can-try-at-home-2449074

Some Like it Hot!

Move over icy cocktails, for it is time to make way for a plethora of boozy drinks—from hot mulled wines and warm spicy toddies this festive winter season.

By Raul Dias

Quick question: what are the first few things that come to your mind when you hear the word ‘cocktail’? Tall, icy glasses and tumblers filled with colourful, alcohol-laced libations and topped off with imaginative garnishes would be some of the first to describe the drinks that both refresh and give you a slight buzz in equal measure. 

Well, not quite in this case! We are here to shake things up (pun intended!) a wee bit with a few cocktail iterations that trod the off beaten path. A path that is ultra-seasonal and one that takes you on an alcoholic ride no less potent. We are waxing eloquent about the hot or at the very least warm cocktails that make their annual presence felt the moment the mercury takes a little a southward dive. 

Here is looking at everything from hot mulled wines to warm spicy toddies and boozy buttered rums. All perfect drinks to warm the cockles of your heart this festive winter season. And what is even better is that you can make each of them at home yourselves!

Spiced Cinnamon Hot Toddy

At Silver Beach Café, Mumbai

Bourbon and maple with hints of spice makes this hot alcoholic beverage conceptualised by Iven Henry Raghwan, Senior Bar Manager at Silver Beach Cafe, Bandra, Mumbai the perfect choice for a nippy evening. The flavourful sweetness of maple does not overpower the notes of the Bourbon, yet it allows the spices to take over subtly and hit the right notes, just like the perfect melody! 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup maple syrup or cane sugar 

3/4 cup warm water 

Red chilly to taste 

2 whole cinnamon sticks

2 squeezed fresh lemon

2 ounces Bourbon

Hot water (as required)

Star anise (for garnish)

Method:

* Add maple syrup/sweetener, water, cinnamon sticks, chilly to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook and simmer for 5 minutes. Then remove from heat and let it cool for 20 minutes or longer. Strain and store for use. 

* For one glass add half of the lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of the prepared spicy syrup, Bourbon and hot water to top.

* Throw in a stick of cinnamon and allow the drink to pull in the flavour of the spice.

* Garnish with star anise, a lemon slice and serve warm. 

Café Pluck Nutella Hot Coffee

At Café Pluck, Pullman New Delhi Aerocity

There is nothing quite like a cup of coffee, is there? Now, imagine few sips of the aromatic magic with an amazing combination of Nutella, and Baileys Irish Cream and you are suddenly awake and motivated to tackle your day head on. This hot cocktail, perfect for a chilly Sunday mid-day brunch is an explosion of flavours and textures and is the concoction of Café Pluck’s Assistant Manager, Mayank Pander all deceptively served up in a tall sundae glass.

Ingredients:

1 shot espresso coffee  

1 shot milk

1 tbsp Nutella

2 tbsp whipped cream

1 shot Baileys Irish Cream

Coffee, chocolate powder and chocolate cookies (for garnish)

Method:

* Take one shot  hot espresso in a sundae glass and slowly mix Nutella into the coffee.

* Add one shot of Baileys.

* Make a nice froth from hot, full cream milk and top it up over the coffee.

* Take whipped cream and nicely whip it over the coffee.

* Garnish it with crushed coffee, chocolate powder and chocolate cookies.

 

Hot Buttered Rum

At Artisan, Sofitel Mumbai BKC

This hot cocktail is especially popular in the fall and winter and is traditionally associated with the holiday season. “What makes it special is that it suits the Indian plate really well, with the use of spice and rum,” says Rajesh Singh, bar executive at Artisan, Sofitel Mumbai BKC who recently came up with this drink.

Ingredients:

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tbsp butter (soft)

1 dash ground cinnamon

1 dash ground nutmeg

1 dash ground allspice

1 splash vanilla extract

2 ounces Bacardi Gold Rum

5 ounces hot water 

Cinnamon stick (for garnish)

Method:

* In mixing bowl, combine butter, vanilla extract, sugar and spices. Beat until well combined.   

* In heat-proof glass or mug, combine aged rum with 1 ounce (2 tbsp) spiced butter mixture. Remaining mixture can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for future use.

* Top with hot water and stir until ingredients are well incorporated. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

 

Mulled Wine

At Plum by Bentchair, New Delhi 

Dubbed the '#Plumazing Mulled Wine', this easy-to-prepare riff on a traditional mulled wine by Plum by Bentchair's Corporate Mixologist, Raj Negi is a beautiful meld of red wine, honey, orange zest, and spices to make you feel the pleasure of warmth in this chilly weather.

Ingredients:

150 ml red wine

15 ml honey

A pinch of orange zest

1 cinnamon stick

2 star anise

2 cloves

Orange slice and cinnamon stick (for garnish)

Method:

* Add all the ingredients in a saucepan simmer gently over low heat for 10 minutes.

*  Serve warm and garnish with orange slice and cinnamon sticks.

(An edited version of this piece was first published in the November 2020 issue of LuxeBook magazine https://www.luxebook.in/)

A-N-A-T-O-M-I-Z-E: Prohibition Pop-up Cocktail

By Raul Dias

Lasting for more than a decade, from 1920 right up to 1933, prohibition in the United States was
an era that celebrated the word ‘clandestine’ like no other, thanks to a constitutional ban on the
production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. Surreptitiously hidden
from the nosey authorities, speakeasy bars sprung up in people’s basements and garages across
the country, with alcohol often distilled in bathtubs and kitchen sinks!
These were places where copious amounts of alcohol mingled with the strains of a jazz band,
while flapper-styled girls danced the Charleston till the wee hours of the morn. One often
required a password to enter and was told to keep conversation light and easy, so as to avoid any
unnecessary and attention-drawing flare ups. Hence the term ‘speakeasy’.
Interestingly, even the cocktails that were concocted during this period were often designed to
hoodwink the authorities. In order to mask the strong smell and taste of home distillations such
as hooch and moonshine, several stronger tinctures and tonics like the orange-y Angostura bitters
and grenadine were blended into the cocktails.
Very much on trend today, the prohibition era-style cocktail has spurred on several interesting
iterations the world over. One that I recently came across is particularly interesting. Served at the
new Pra Pra Prank brasserie in Gurugram and simply called ‘Prohibition Pop Up’, this bourbon-
based cocktail is as much a visual delight, as it is deceptively potent.
Inspired by the time people used to have their drinks hidden within the fold of a newspaper, the
cocktail is the sum of its coffee, popcorn-infused bourbon and ginger syrup parts. Topped off
with a dash of spicy bitters and a generous pour of stout at the end, it comes to the table
overflowing with a candied popcorn garnish, all wrapped in a sheet of faux newsprint paper.

(This column first appeared in the 18th March 2018 issue of The Hindu newspaper's Sunday Magazine section on page 8 http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/prohibition-pop-up/article23283133.ece)

Tequila Time Before it’s Time Up

According to a recent report by Reuters, due to dwindling agave crops, the world needs to prepare itself to deal with an imminent tequila shortage. We bring you seven tequila-based cocktails that will help you tank up on your favourite tipple…before the magic from Mexico runs dry!

By Raul Dias

Jalapeño Surprise
This one’s like a drinkable fiesta for all your senses, combining two Mexican favourites in one mean drink. This ultra-potent cocktail developed by Manish Thakur, the sous chef at Scribble Stories, is prepared by mixing tequila with fresh jalapeño, egg white, Tabasco and orange juice. All this is served in a tilted glass, with two jaunty slivers of jalapeño as garnish.
At Scribble Stories, 21B, Santhal ONGC Complex, Opposite Lilavati Hospital, Reclamation, Bandra West
Call 26400754
Cost Rs 550

Berried Treasure
​Deception in a shot glass! That’s what we call this innocent-looking, shot-style tequila cocktail. Look past it’s creamy countenance and you’ll see what we’re talking about. Conceptualised by Estella’s bar manager, Rakesh Pardeshi, this creamy shot is a gorgeous blend of tequila and muddled strawberries, layered with Baileys Irish Cream liqueur and topped with a swirl of fresh cream.
At Estella, Nichani Kutir, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu
Call 7999998232
Cost Rs 499

Jalapeño Honey
Here, house-made jalapeño-infused El Jimador Blanco tequila is shaken with honey syrup and lemon juice by John Leese, Olive’s beverage and bar development manager and served in a rocks glass. A jalapeño tail garnish finishes off this cocktail that has a definite bite to it. You’ve been warned!
At Olive Bar & Kitchen, 14 Union Park, Khar West
Call 43408229
Cost Rs 800

Mexican Firing Squad
Look past its shocking pink hue and take a long sip of this tequila cocktail to realise that it means business. A potent sum of its Camino tequila, grenadine, lime and bitters parts, the cocktail is developed by One Street Over’s bar manager Ashitosh Narayanan, who sends it off garnished with a slice of lime, shaken with ice and served in a dainty coupe glass.
At One Street Over, Ground Floor, 35th Street, Off Linking Road, Khar West
Call 26002224
Cost Rs 500

Kala Khatta Margarita
Reflective of the Indian dining and bartending scene’s favourite go-to word “fusion”, this Mexico-meets-India tequila cocktail is a tart treat. Made from just three ingredients—tequila, kala khatta and chaat masala by Tanaji Shirke, the senior bartender at Copper Chimney Worli, we love this jugaad of a cocktail, served all frozen up slushie-style!
At Copper Chimney Worli, Door No.12-A, Lotus Court, Dr. A.B. Road, Worli
Call 24925353
Cost Rs 525

La Di Da
As its name alludes to, this tequila cocktail is that quintessential drink with sophisticated, complex and urban flavours and it shows off the best of tequila in a wonderful way. Chef and founder of The Boston Butt, Siddharth Kashyap who came up with this drink, prefers to have it shaken and stirred in a cocktail glass. The Bianco tequila, avocado, basil and pineapple juice allow the spirit to shine through all its glory. And shine it sure does!
At The Boston Butt, 1^st floor, Rampart Row, 30 K. Dubash Marg, Kalaghoda, Fort
Call 9892447669/69470000
Cost Rs 411


Mexican Sunset
​Perfectly referencing the natural phenomenon of a sunset that it is named after in its look, this cocktail developed by Old Wild West’s assistant bartender, Vivek Talekar is a perfect blend of spice and fruit with a fiery twist. Flavoured with orange, jalapeño and grenadine, this shaken tropical tequila libation is sure to get the party started, come sunset!
At Old Wild West, 1^st floor, Trade View Building, Kamala Mills, Lower Parel
Call 65376677
Cost Rs 499

(An edited version of this article appeared in the 12th February 2018 issue of the Mid-Day newspaper, India https://m.mid-day.com/articles/seven-tequila-based-cocktails-to-tank-up-before-the-drink-dries-up/19053176)

Waiter, There’s a Dessert in my Drink!

Is it a dessert or is it a cocktail? Precariously balancing that fine line are a host of dessert-inspired cocktails. We sweeten you up with a few such post dinner drinks.

By Raul Dias

Crème Brûlée Martini
This drinkable, ‘martinified’ version of a traditional crème brûlée is a custard and vanilla flavoured cocktail infused with vanilla vodka, replete with a hard-caramel shard to replicate the glassy top of the French dessert.
Available at Scribble Stories, 21B, Santhal ONGC Complex, Opposite Lilavati Hospital, Reclamation, Bandra (w), Mumbai
Call 022-26400754
Cost Rs 475

The Peche Melba
​While the classic dessert, the Peach Melba, was itself invented—again by Auguste Escoffier—in honour of famed Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, this homage to a homage is a cocktail made from strawberry coulis, peach extract and some vanilla ice cream, all shaken with vodka. 
Available at Pandora Gastronomy and Bar, Ground Floor, Nyati Unitree, Nagar Road, Yerwada, Pune
Call 020-30189820
Cost Rs 375

Saucier
​Inspired by a classic dessert cocktail created by French pâtissier Auguste Escoffier, this version sees the pairing of sparkling wine, angostura bitters and maraschino cherry liqueur with bourbon and vanilla ice cream. And to make it still more dessert-esque, it is garnished with an edible nasturtium flower and silver dragées.
Available at The Runway Project, 2nd Floor, North Sky Zone, High Street Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Call 022-49151000
Cost Rs 825

Gingerbread Prohibition Pop-up
​This prohibition era-meets-dessert cocktail is a rather unusual melange of bourbon infused with caramel popcorn, espresso, gingerbread and popcorn syrups and a dash of all spice bitter, that’s all topped up with a splash of stout. And in keeping with the speakeasy theme of the drink, the cocktail glass comes wrapped in a sheet of newspaper!
Available at Prankster, Shop No. 8-9-10, First Floor, Sector 29, Gurugram
Call 0124-4266653/54
Cost Rs 425

Toblerone
This after-dinner cocktail that is the deceptively potent sum of its honey, cream, Baileys Irish Cream and dark rum parts, is a drinkable paean to the nougat and honey-redolent, undulating mountain peak-shaped Swiss chocolate bar—the Toblerone.
Available at Izaya, NCPA, Gate No. 2, Nariman Point, Mumbai
Call 022-22821212
Cost Rs 490

Willy Wonka
​No list of dessert cocktails can be complete without a nod to Willy Wonka. Named after him, this post-dinner martini cocktail sees whiskey, creme de cacao and dark chocolate shaken together and poured into a chocolate sauce lined martini glass that’s garnished with a chocolate shard.
Available at The Sassy Spoon, Express Towers, Ramnath Goenka Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai
Call +91-9920003500
Cost Rs 420

(An edited version of this piece was first published in the 29th January, 2018 issue of India Today magazine https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20180129-dessert-cocktails-creme-brulee-martini-gingerbread-prohibition-pop-up-1149657-2018-01-19)

Out of the Blue!

Imparting a brilliant blue hue to everything it comes in contact with, the butterfly pea flower from. Thailand finds a firm place for itself on the menus of restaurants and bars across the city

By Raul Dias

While chemistry might not have been everybody’s cup of tea in school (it certainly wasn’t ours), it’s sure proving to be everybody’s ‘cup of cocktail’ these days. Quite literally! Enter the brilliantly blue hued butterfly pea flower from Thailand with its amazing chameleon-like colour changing properties, turning purple when it comes in contact with lime juice.
“This unique flower with its colour changing property makes it the perfect addition to a good-looking drink without using any artificial colour,” says Ami Shroff, mixologist at London Taxi, one of the recent places that have cottoned onto this trend that we’re seeing gaining popularity over the last six months or so.
To get a little geeky on you, this flower of the clitoria ternatea plant when steeped in water has been a perennial favourite herbal tea in many South Asian countries and particularly Thailand for centuries where it is known as nam dok anchan. It’s also renowned for its health benefits taking care of everything from conjunctivitis to enhancing memory and brain power.
“Our mixologists focus heavily on local ingredients from Southeast Asia”, says Tanai Shirali -Director Operations Bellona Hospitality, the guys behind the popular Shizusan Shophouse & Bar and avid users of the butterfly pea flower. “It isn’t sweet and syrupy and has an earthier woody taste like the regular green tea. However, most people like their cocktails a little sweet so the addition on the citrusy lime not only changes the colour but when mixed with palm sugar gives the cocktail the required sweet note.”
At the newly opened Nara Thai restaurant, the flower features prominently on the both the food and drinks menus. “The butterfly pea flower is a very neutral ingredient as it doesn’t have any strong flavour of its own and doesn’t influence the flavour profile of the drink or dish. It imparts a different colour depending on the citrus level of the dish/drink. One can experiment with the colours at the same time make sure that the flavour doesn’t get affected”, says Karyna Bajaj Executive Director KA Hospitality, the group that has got Nara Thai to India.

Here’s a glimpse at the many ways the flower finds itself ‘adorning’ drinks and dishes across Mumbai:

Butterfly Pea Sour
A refreshing iteration of a classic Peruvian pisco sour, this cocktail at the just opened Nara Thai pushes the creative envelope a whole lot further. Made just like a standard pisco sour, with pisco, lime juice and sugar syrup, this one is enhanced with a tea made with butter fly pea flowers and is anointed with the obligatory cloud of foamed egg white and a dried butterfly pea flower as a garnish.
At Nara Thai, Ground Floor, Raheja Towers, BKC
Call 61378080
Cost Rs 600

Hattori Hanzo
The cocktail menu at Shizusan Shophouse & Bar focuses on classic cocktails with an Asian twist using lesser-used ingredients like oolong tea, and, in this case, butterfly pea flowers. A mélange of tequila, butterfly pea flower tea, lime the cocktail is named after the warrior/monk Hattori Hanzo. When made with precision, the drink changes colour and is an apt toast to celebrate Hattori Hanzo’s dual life.
At Shizusan, Skyzone, Highstreet Phoenix, Lower Parel
Call 7045004138
Cost Rs 575

Blue Chamomile G&T
Another riff on a tired and tested cocktail—this time the G&T—is the blue chamomile G&T at the brand new restobar London Taxi. Here, the gin is infused with dried butterfly pea flowers and chamomile and kept very simple with the addition of lime juice and tonic water.
At London Taxi, Kamala Mills, A-Wing, Trade World, Lower Parel
Call 9029990454
Cost Rs 725

Not Just in Drinks...

Khao Phad Samunprai (Butterfly Pea Flower Rice)
Never mind its tongue-twister of a name, this super novel rice preparation is proof that the use of the
butterfly pea flower needn’t be limited to drinks only! At first luridly blue, this rice that’s made with short grain Thai rice, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass and white soy sauce, takes on a shocking purple hue when one squeezes a bit of lime juice over it.
At Nara Thai, Ground Floor, Raheja Towers, BKC
Call 61378080
Cost Rs 250

(An edited version of this article appeared in the 11th September 2017 issue of the evening edition of Mid-Day newspaper, India)

Paris Version 2.0

While clichés may not be bad things, it’s time to rid Paris of its touristy tropes and see it from a whole new perspective by partaking in a few rather outré activities and immersive experiences that will redefine the ‘City of Lights’ for you forever!

By Raul Dias

Almost every trip to Paris comes with an invisible checklist of sights and activities that
requires… nay, demands to be shamelessly ticked off. A photo op with Paris’ number one calling
card—the Eiffel Tower—somehow always tops the charts. While a saunter down the très chic
Champs-Élysées comes in a close second. Oh! And let’s not forget sitting down at a curb-side
café literally inhaling a scrumptious pain au chocolat while washing it down with a café au lait.
And while there is certainly nothing wrong with a bit of clichéd indulgence, it would be
sacrilegious to go to Paris and not take a bite of its outré, rather alternative side. From a tour of
the hallowed Louvre with a stand-up comedian to a personalised perfume creating session, we’ve
curated a list of a few off-the- beaten-path activities that will show you a whole other facet to the
gleaming City of Lights:

Laugh Your Way Through the Louvre
Though the words ‘laugh’ and ‘Louvre’ may seem a tad incongruous when used in the same
sentence, Paris-based stand-up comedian Cedrik makes them work very effectively indeed! The
stand-up comic, known only by his mononym, does a very unique tour called ‘Laugh Your Way
Through the Louvre’ that is a part of the newly launched Airbnb Trips initiative. The two-hour
long tour is a laugh-a- minute riot with Cedrik casting a humorous net over the rather somber
exhibits of the world’s greatest museum. Being an art historian and stand-up comic, he will truly
have you cracking up (pun unintended!) in front of the Mona Lisa and giggling in front of Greek
relics. The tour, that includes the museum’s entry fee, ends with a debriefing session over a
steaming mug of hot chocolate in the museum’s café.
Cost: $91 or Rs.5,416 (approx.) per person
Duration: 2 hours
Contact: www.airbnb.co.in

Create Your Own Bespoke French Perfume
Le Studio des Parfums is a modest little perfumery that is housed on a quiet street in Le Marais.
You almost don’t see the space, but the arresting aroma of bergamot, rose and lily of the valley is
enough to pull you into this charming perfumery where your olfactory senses will rejoice. Le
Studio des Parfums is that kind of place where you can treat yourself to the luxury of possessing
a personalised French perfume without burning a hole in your purse. The guys here take their
perfumes very seriously and you will see this the moment you meet your personal ‘scent
counselor’, who, after an initiation into the history of scent, will send you off two hours later
with a personalised fragrance composed from a mix of among 150 different notes. They will
even give the perfume a name.
Cost: EUR 140 or Rs.10,833 (approx.) for a 50ml bottle
Duration: 2 hours
Contact: 23, Rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris, +33(0)140299084, info@sdp-paris.com,
www.studiodesparfums-paris.fr

Storm the Eateries of Bastille
As one of Paris’ most trendy areas for eating out, the Bastille is a warren of dive bars and hidden
restaurants that only an insider is privy too. Anto—short for Antonio—is one such person who
takes eating and drinking enthusiasts out on a ‘Storm the Eateries of Bastille’ three-hour tour that
zigzags through Paris’ streets of dives and speakeasies. All this, in the trendy Bastille area, a
short walk away from Le Marais. This restaurant crawl that includes all the food the drink costs
is also a part of the newly launched Airbnb Trips initiative and begins at a scruffy-chic dive bar
called Chez Habibi for drinks and appetizers, stopping at the all red Chinese restaurant Le China
for some lip-smacking cocktails and yummy dimsums. This is followed up with a hearty dinner
of confit duck and roast potatoes at Le Chat Bossu, a traditional French brassier. The crawl
finally ends at Anto’s favourite speakeasy Moonshiner on Rue Sedaine that is a total insider-only
place where you enter from the kitchen doors of a rather nondescript pizza parlour!
Cost: $66 or Rs. 4,000 (approx.) per person
Duration: 3 hours
Contact: www.airbnb.co.in

Secret Sunday Dinner at Jim Haynes’
Often regarded as Paris’ worst kept secret, the Secret Sunday Dinners at salonista and travel
guide book writer Jim Haynes’ home are the stuff legends are made of. Every week for the past
30 years, he has hosted a Sunday buffet-style dinner at his well-appointed atelier, which used to
be a sculpture studio. People can either call or e-mail him to book a spot. As he gets a large
number of requests, Jim operates on a first-come, first-served basis. That being said, he hosts as
many as 60 people per dinner and often twice that many when the weather is nice and the crowd
can overflow into his manicured garden. The food, each week is prepared by a different friend of
his and can be anything from a Macedonian meal to a traditional Ethiopian messob feast. And
yes, in keeping with serendipity, you won’t be told the theme of the dinner in advance!
Cost: Free
Duration: 3 hours (8pm to 11pm)
Contact: Atelier A-2, 83, Rue de la Tombe Issoire 75014 Paris, +33(0)143271767,
Jim_Haynes@wanadoo.fr, www.jim-haynes.com

Play Pétanque With The Locals
Making a dramatic comeback and garnering some serious street cred with les BoBos—as the
Parisian hipsters are called—pétanque or boules, the traditional French game of hitting shiny
silvery balls with each other is no longer a game played by beret-sporting old men. Sign up for a
special pétanque training session with the Localers. The two-hour coaching experience will give
you a crash course in the game’s rules, plus practical sessions. It also includes a free drink and a
brief walking tour of the historical Palais Royal area, that’s crammed with inspiring spaces.
‘Bouled’ over yet?
Cost: EUR 55 or Rs.4,076 (approx.) per person
Duration: 2 hours
Contact: +33(0)183649201, booking@localers.com, www.localers.com




Hang On! There’s More…
 Bed up at Shakespeare and Company: Opened in 1951 by an eccentric American named
George Whitman, this bookstore in Paris’ Rue de la Bûcherie offers up 13 free beds to
sleep in at night that are concealed as book shelves during the day!
 Visit the Museum of Vampires: The ghoulish collection of Jacques Sirgent that includes
everything from vampire coffins and killing kits to Hammer Film collectibles and
Dracula toys finds itself in this museum fashioned to look like a graveyard at 14 Rue
Jules David in the middle of the city’s eastern suburb of Les Lilas.
 Potter around Gustave Eiffel’s secret apartment: Oh, well! One really can’t seem to
escape the Eiffel Tower after all when in Paris. Located on the third level of the tower,
Eiffel’s private apartment is where you can see the famed phonograph machine that
Thomas Edison had himself gifted to Eiffel among other antiques.
 Le Mur des Je t’aime: Also known as the ‘I Love You Wall’, this wall spanning 416
square feet and located at the Jehan-Rictus Square is a tribute to love (well, Paris is the
world’s most romantic city!). Created by artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito, the wall
is covered in 612 lava tiles, and features the worlds “I love you” inscribed in 311 different
languages, including all 192 languages of the United Nations.

(An edited version of this article first appeared in the September 2017 issue of Jetwings Domestic in-flight magazine of Jet Airways https://www.jetairways.com/EN/DE/JetExperience/magazines.aspx) 

Desi Makeovers!

From the ubiquitous curry leaf and spicy cumin seed to the piquant burst of pani puri masala and zesty shikanji, cocktails around Mumbai are imbuing themselves with all things deliciously desi with a vengeance these days!   

By Raul Dias

MMS (Monkey Masala Soda)
Monkey Bar is a well-known destination for its unconventional cocktails that junk all the rules and strike off the sugary sweet concoctions—replacing them with a host of original, hugely trendy drinks. For the MMS, kaffir lime is muddled with vodka and a house made masala soda, making for a super refreshing, simple and smooth cocktail.  “It’s no longer about regular cocktails but a whole new spin, where innovation and freshness are firmly at the forefront,” says Nakul Chandra, Brand Head, Monkey Bar.
At Summerville, 14th & 33rd Road, Ground Floor, Linking Road, Bandra West
Call 26005215
Cost Rs 320

Pani Puri Margarita
​The piquant sum of its homemade pani puri water, tequila, triple sec and citrus mix, the pani puri margarita is an ode to Mumbai’s die-hard love affair with the street food staple! “My mother’s pani puri was something I always loved as a kid. One day, it was there for dinner and I had some tequila around so I decided to experiment and it was a match made in heaven. It’s more like mother’s love mixed with my favourite spirit—tequila. Best of both worlds,” says Pranav Mody, Manager and Mixologist, The Sassy Spoon Nariman Point.
At The Sassy Spoon Nariman Point, Ground Floor, Express Towers, Nariman Point
Call 9920003500
Cost Rs 490

Roadside Mule
Tamarind and dates and all the other ingredients—like house tamarind sauce, curry leaves, cumin, ginger, ginger ale—in this cocktail are inspired by the taste of the Indian street chaat which is put together to balance the flavour of the gin and the colour of the drink. “Tamarind and dates were added to the drink to remind the drinker of Indian street food. These also lend a certain freshness to cocktail that is a take on the Moscow Mule but with the Theory magic,” says Emma Pereira, Mixologist, Theory.
At Theory, Unit 1 C Wing, Trade World, Kamala Mills, Lower Parel
Call 66666506
Cost Rs 850

Thai-quilla
‘Same-same, but different’ is an oft-heard phrase when in Thailand and the Thai-quilla cocktail is like a drinkable version of this oxymoronic saying! This Indo-Thai mélange is an amalgamation of kokum and everyone’s favourite tipple tequila, along with Thai basil and fresh lime. “Kokum also known as Indian mangosteen lends a distinct sour element that blends exceptionally well with tequila. The basil adds a Thai twist that helps the cocktail suit our restaurant’s Asian flavours philosophy,” says Farrokh Khambata, Chef and Owner, Umame.
At 1st floor, Cambata Building, Next to Eros Theatre, Churchgate
Call 61110303
Cost Rs 550

China to Kolkata
Part of the special ‘Monsoon Cocktail’ menu at Shizusan Shophouse & Bar, this cocktail is another love child of fusion! The cocktail uses peaches which are native to Northwest China and gondhoraj which literally translates to ‘king of aromas’ and is Bengal’s best kept secret ingredient. “A hybrid of mandarin orange and common lime, gondhoraj is fruitier, crisper and sharper than the regular nimbu—giving the cocktail a more distinct taste that’ll transport you to the quaint streets of Kolkata. You could say, this one’s our take on the classic Peach Margarita,” says Tanai Shirali, Director of Operations, Shizusan.
At Shizusan, Skyzone, Highstreet Phoenix, Lower Parel
Call 7045004138
Cost Rs 525

Shikanji Sour
​An Indian spin on the Whiskey Sour, this cocktail is exciting from the word go. It is a mix of Bourbon, homemade shikanji (North Indian-style limeade) puree, sweet and sour mix, rose syrup, rose water and egg white. All this is garnished with some rosemary. “Indians love shikanji and most of them love whiskey. I wanted to blend two strong yet complimenting flavours that add a natural woodyness and sweetness altogether. Shikanji adds a great fragrance as well, especially when garnished with rosemary,” says Taufeeq Shaikh, Bartender, Estella.
At Nichani Kutir, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu
Call 7999998232/7999998212
Cost Rs 625

(An edited version of this article appeared in the 7th August 2017 issue of the evening edition of Mid-Day newspaper, India http://www.mid-day.com/articles/mumabi-food-six-mumbai-bars-desi-cocktails-twist-lifestyle/18487185)

Shaken and yes…stirred!

With today being celebrated as World Martini Day, why not take your pick from some of Mumbai’s most wacky martini-style cocktails that feature everything from to the decidedly frou frou lavender to the typically Indian paan as ingredients    

By Raul Dias

Mon Cheri
Imbued with an experimental streak when it comes to his bar, Pranav Mody the The Sassy Spoon’s manager and mixologist, sends off this rather exotic looking, deep purple-hued cocktail with a generous pour of house-infused lavender-hibiscus vodka, and vanilla, along with a splash of orange liqueur and citrus mix. Adorned with a marigold flower to offset the colour, the drink is the ultimate ode to flower power.
At The Sassy Spoon, Express Towers, Nariman Point
Call 9920003500
Cost Rs 600

Smoked Aspacado
This martini cocktail one truly lives up to its ‘salad cocktail’ descriptor on the drinks’ menu. Here, Rakesh Pardeshi, the assistant bar supervisor first smokes avocado cubes and chopped asparagus that are then muddled together with simple syrup, lime juice and gin and garnished with a blanched asparagus spear.
At Estella, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu.
Call 7999998232, 7999998212
Cost Rs 895

Kale & Hearty
Though the whole hype around kale may be on the wane this year, it still shows up in this rather refreshing and ‘healthy’ drink. In this martini-style cocktail, the leafy veggie is muddled with spinach, cucumber, vodka and homemade ginger syrup, with a hit of lime-n-lemon sours and sent off with a crispy fried kale chip as the garnish.
At Swey, Atria Mall, Worli.
Call 9820436666
Cost Rs 500

Green Tea & Lavender Martini
This fragrant, floral vodka martini is made using a special in-house green tea and lemongrass infusion. To this, thyme and lavender are added to give more layers to the herbaceous, floral notes. A spritz of vodka and lemon juice finishes it off. All this jazzed up with the Theory signature garnish of fresh jasmine buds and a few sprigs of thyme.
At Theory, Kamala Mills, Lower Parel
Call 66666506
Cost Rs 860

Paan Martini
Bringing an Indian flavour to World Martini Day is this very desi Paan Martini Cocktail that’s often accompanied by a paan-flavoured ice-cream. Made with paan masala, gulkhand, vodka and lime juice and served with a garnish of betel leaf and rose petals, this cocktail was created by the bar’s head bartender who missed his father’s paan dani (paan case) and more so, the aroma of it! 
At The Sahib Room & Kipling Bar at The St. Regis Mumbai, Lower Parel
Call 61628422
Cost Rs 900

(An edited version of this article appeared in the 19th June 2017 issue of the evening edition of Mid-Day newspaper, India http://www.mid-day.com/articles/mumbai-food-world-martini-day-martini-style-cocktails-drinks-mumbai-bars-sassy-spoon-lfiestyle/18351183)

Café Coffee Day's new ‘Summer Chillers’!

Beat the heat with CCD’s new summer beverages menu, a range of refreshing thirst-quenching drinks that will satisfy the indulgent explorer in you

Summer is here and so is the raging heat and exhaustion! While all of us are trying to get a grip of the summer heat, Café Coffee Day (CCD) has come out with a range of beverages to chill and sip on and enjoy summer season to the fullest. Stay cool and fresh with CCD’s aptly termed ‘Summer Chillers’. It brings you a whole new range of beverages that is not just refreshing, but also redefines frappes and slushes in unique flavours that will gratify the indulgent explorer in you.

The summer menu consists of six new chillers. It’s got two new frappes, two fruit-based refreshers and for the coffee devotees there are two coffee chillers.

CCD patrons have spent many indulgent and enjoyable times at its cafes over its much loved range of frappes. CCD now adds to these fun moments with two more unique and yummy frappe additions, ‘Almond Rabdi Frappe’ and ‘Creamy Toffee Frappe.’  The Almond Rabdi Frappe brings you the classic taste of the popular Indian dessert in a glass. It is a smooth chiller to down, served with a shot of whipped cream and topped off with crunchy almond flakes. CCD brings another new and evolved taste to the youth with the delicious Creamy Toffee Frappe. It’s got rich toffee sauce blended into a chilled frappe, topped with whipped cream and scrumptious butterscotch.

This summer menu also brings you two cooling refreshers made of India’s quintessential summer flavours - reinvented. ‘Cool Jamun Slush’ made of Kala Jamun delivers our beloved fruit into a soothing beverage. It combines the flavour of jamun with a zing of secret seasoning to revitalize your taste buds. ‘Sugarcane Refresher’ brings you the all-time-favourite sugarcane juice, infused with lemon, spicy ginger and soothing khus. This marvel of a drink is served in a sugar-rimmed cup to transport you right into a summer travel dream!

Next up in the Summer Chillers menu is ‘Toffee Cold Coffee.’ This light beverage comes with layers of cold coffee with creamy toffee, served on a bed of ice. This chiller is topped off with foamed milk and a drizzle of cocoa powder and is absolutely hydrating. Last but not least is the ‘Citrus Cold Brew Coffee’ made for discerning customers and available only in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. It’s a signature cold-brew coffee blended with mandarin flavor and served on the rocks in a sugar-rimmed cup. There is no better hangout spot than this!