Page 38 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 3 | February - March 2024

North
Northeast
When you’re visiting the northern regions of India,
make sure to try out Kumaon & I, made with fresh If you’re swinging by the Northeastern states, check out Cherrapunji Gin
Himalayan springwater and brewed in Himmaleh from Meghalaya, which is an ode to the Northeast of India with its hyperlocal
Spirits, an Uttarakhand-based distillery. With a focus focus, using only Northeastern botanicals and Cherrapunji rainwater. Make
on local ingredients, this gin uses 11 different types of sure to take home the unique and eye-catching stainless steel bottle it comes
botanicals and including kalmegh bark, and is distilled in, which features art of life in Meghalaya.
for nine hours, lending it robust flavours. Or, if you’re
visiting Delhi a little further south, buy a bottle of South
Mohulo, from Smoke Lab distillery, which uses the
local mahua seed as the hero ingredient of the label, and If you’re a fan of fruity gins, Great Indian Gin (GiG) is available in Pondicherry
the recipe was made by collaborating with indigenous and Bengaluru, and offers options such as their Shimla green apple gin and
tribes in Chhattisgarh, with proceeds going to NGOs their Nagpur orange gin. Perfect for an end-of-day gin and tonic or enjoyed
supporting them. Alternatively, when visiting Uttar plain, to really savour the flavours.
Pradesh, opt for their Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin, from
the Rampur distillery, a triple-distilled gin made in a
traditional copper pot that features botanicals such as
lemongrass and Darjeeling green tea.

‘TEQUILA’ AND OTHER
AGAVE SPIRITS

Agave-based spirits are experiencing a renaissance
around the world, with tequila touting itself as the
‘healthiest’ spirit due to its low calorie count, and
discerning barflys discovering its versatility beyond
ill-conceived flights of shots. India is no exception,
with tequila bars recently popping up throughout the
country, featuring top-shelf tequila and mescal brands.
In India’s Deccan plateau, the semi-arid climate and
volcanic soil rich in nutrients have provided the perfect
environment to grow Agave Americana, which is usually
native to just Mexico. This has allowed two agave-based
brands to flourish, with more sure to come. LOCAL LIQUORS

GOA When visiting India, however, it’s worth it to try any of India’s array of Indian-
made Indian Liquor (also known as desi daaru), which has a rich and storied
Both the brands are in Goa, so don’t miss the opportunity history dating back centuries.
to check them out, maybe in bars like Barfly, which
focus on agave-based spirits. Desmondji was the first Visit Kerala to try Toddy, a fermented drink made from coconut palm sap,
brand to produce Indian ‘tequila,’ thanks to innovator which undergoes natural fermentation due to airborne yeast, resulting in
Desmond Nazareth, and the spirit is distilled multiple a mildly sweet and tart beverage. If left to ferment further, it turns into the
times in pots, lending it a unique flavour. Pistola is popular arrack. Or head to central India to try Mahua, made from fermenting
another spirit found in Goa and made from 100 percent Mahua flowers and flavoured with cane sugar; to Ladakh and Zalaidi to try
agave, with three varieties: Joven, Reposado, and Rosa, any of India’s fruit wines; or to Goa to try the cashew-based Fenti. Or perhaps
with the latter rested for up to three months in Cabernet try the herbaceous Royal liqueurs in Jaipur.. Either way, they’ll be sure to
Sauvignon wine barrels to lend it extra flavour. raise your spirits!