Diwali party cocktail recipes: Spruce up your Diwali celebrations with these delicious cocktail pairings

As corporate culture continues to evolve, Diwali celebrations are turning into social events where people can let their hair down and enjoy the festive spirit together. These gatherings foster a sense of camaraderie and bonding. However, no celebration is complete without an array of delicious snacks and refreshing drinks, which spice up the atmosphere and encourage mingling. Whether it’s a casual get-together or a more formal party, the combination of good food and beverages creates a lively environment, allowing everyone to unwind and celebrate the festivities.

Diwali is all about warmth, light, and indulgent flavours shared with loved ones. What better way to celebrate than with cocktails that enhance your festive spread? "This Diwali, take your celebrations to the next level with signature cocktails: Jam’in Gin combines Gordon’s gin with jamun, basil, and tonic for a refreshing sip alongside spicy snacks. Enjoy the creamy Deja Brew with vodka, coconut milk, and pineapple juice, perfect with sweets and coconut dishes. Try the adventurous Nori Me that blends nori-infused tequila and wasabi, great with fried prawns. Finally, the bubbly Quali-tease mixes jasmine vodka and mango puree, ideal for spicy bites like samosas," suggests says Keshav Khunteta, F&B Curator at TapasMe in Hyderabad.

Try these cocktail recipes, complete with bold ingredients and a touch of flair, suggested by Khunteta.

• Jam’in gin

Ingredients: Gordon’s gin, jamun, basil, lemon cordial, tonic water

Start with Gordon’s gin infused with jamun (Indian blackberry) for a fruity, slightly tart kick. This refreshing cocktail is completed with basil, lemon cordial, and tonic water. It pairs beautifully with the spices in classics like paneer tikka and kebabs, while the fresh basil and bright lemon cleanse the palate between bites without overpowering the delicate flavours.

• Deja brew

Ingredients: Vodka, condensed coconut, cardamom, milk, matcha nanari liqueur, pineapple juice

For a rich and tropical experience, try the Deja brew. This vodka-based cocktail blends condensed coconut cardamom milk with matcha nanari liqueur and pineapple juice, creating a creamy texture with a hint of spice. It complements traditional Indian sweets and dishes with coconut, such as prawn curry or coconut-stuffed koftas. The pineapple juice adds a zesty twist that balances the sweetness of the coconut milk.

• Nori me

Ingredients: Nori sheet infused tequila, celery cucumber shrub, extra dry martini, pickled ginger, wasabi

The Nori me offers an adventurous blend of nori-infused tequila, celery cucumber shrub, dry martini, pickled ginger, and wasabi. This cocktail pairs well with fried prawns, sushi, or spicy calamari. The wasabi adds a bit of heat, while the pickled ginger provides a refreshing contrast, making each sip a unique experience that cuts through the richness of fried tapas.

• Quali-tease:

Ingredients: Jasmine pearls tea infused ketel one vodka, mango puree, Aperol, tamarind, jasmine cordial, sparkling wine

For something tropical and bubbly, the Quali-tease combines jasmine pearls tea-infused vodka, mango puree, Aperol, tamarind jasmine cordial, and a splash of sparkling wine. The floral notes from jasmine and the sweetness of mango blend well with spicy samosas and kebabs. The effervescence and slight bitterness from the Aperol keep each sip lively, perfectly matching sweet and savoury bites.