It’s that time of the year again! Light up your house, welcome your near and dear ones, and celebrate the way you like. Add to the spirit of the season with delicious DIY cocktails that will help you host the most memorable parties this year. From fruity preferences to spicy concoctions and everything in between, these are classics with exciting twists. Fret not, there’s something yummy for mocktail lovers too. Cheers!

Absolut Madras

Ingredients

– Ice Cubes

– 45 ml Absolut Vodka

– 50 ml Cranberry Juice

– 75 ml Orange Juice

– Orange

Method

— Fill a highball glass with ice cubes

— Add all the ingredients

— Garnish with orange

Absolut Appletini

Ingredients

— Ice Cubes

— 1½ Parts Absolut Vodka

— ¾ Part Lemon Juice

— ⅔ Part Apple Liqueur

— ⅔ Part Apple Juice

— ¾ Part Simple Syrup

Method

— Add all the ingredients with ice in a shaker

— Pour it into a glass and garnish with an apple slice

Longitude77 Kashmiri Saffron Sour

Ingredients

— Longitude 77 Indian Single Malt Whisky – 60ml

— Kashmiri Saffron Syrup – 30ml

— Lime Juice – 20ml

— Egg White / Magic Velvet – 3 drops

— 1 Lemon Green

— Grapes

Garnish

— Kashmiri Chilli Oil

— Kashmiri Saffron Strands

Method

— Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, dry shake

— Add ice and shake well

— Fine strain in a chilled Nick & Nora glass

— Garnish with saffron/chili oil using a dropper

Longitude77 Ratnagiri Alphonso Mango Smash

Ingredients

— Longitude 77 Indian Single Malt Whisky – 60ml

— Alphonso Mango Juice (Aamras) – 20ml

— Lime Juice – 15ml

— Mint Syrup – 20ml

— Cow Milk – 30ml

Garnish

— Slice of Ratnagiri Alphonso Mango/Mango Leather (Aam Papad)

Method

— Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker (except milk), add ice, and shake well

— Strain & add milk, allow this to settle. Filter through a coffee filter

— Serve in an Old-Fashioned glass with Ice Block, Garnish with Aam Papad

Ballantine’s Cold Brew Kick

Ingredients

— 35ml Ballantine’s Finest Whisky

— 15ml coffee liqueur (Kahlua)

— Cold Brew Coffee

— 5ml sugar syrup

Method

— Fill a shaker with ice

— Pour in Ballantine’s Finest, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup. Top with cold-brew coffee

— Shake it up

— Serve for the perfect wake-up call

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Chai-Tini

Ingredients

— 120 ml Jacob’s Creek Sparkling

— 60 ml Lemon/ Peach Iced Tea

— 1 Wedge of Lemon or Peach, To Garnish

Method

— Ensure that the sparkling wine and tea are well-chilled

— Mix into a chilled flute or tulip

— Garnish with lemon or peach and serve

Jacob’s Creek Unvined Riesling Strawberry Fling

Ingredients

— 2 fresh strawberries

— 1 tsp sugar

— 30mL lime juice

— 120mL Unvined Riesling

Garnish

— Hibiscus flower or half strawberry

Method

— Muddle strawberry and sugar

— Add Unvined Riesling and lime and shake

— Double strain into a martini glass over a hibiscus flower

— Add strawberry to the side of the glass

Jacob’s Creek Unvined Shiraz Sangria

Ingredients

— 0.75 cup Unvined Shiraz

— 1 Star Anise

— Cinnamon quill

— 2 Cardamom pods

— 0.25 cup Orange Juice

— Palm sugar to taste

Garnish

— Orange and apple slices

Method

— Bring wine and spices to just below a simmer

— Allow to cool in a punch bowl

— Add orange juice and sugar to taste

— Serve over ice with orange, apple, and cinnamon