Is it even a Holi celebration if there aren’t a line of colorful cocktails to get the party started? It’s a much-celebrated tradition during Holi to consume Bhaang or Thandai. But for rum-loving people like us, every drink is incomplete without at least an ounce of rum in it.If you’re just like us and are here looking for quick recipes to whip up during the festive season,we’ve got you covered!Here are a few Wise Monkey cocktails you can craft to make your guests go “Holi-Shit that’s good!”
1. Gulabi Thandai (inspired by a recipe by mixologist Jayesh of Epitome, Mumbai)
- Wise Monkey White Rum
- Rose Syrup
- Milk
- Chopped almonds and pistachios (for garnish)
Blend all the ingredients except the nuts and pour into a chilled glass.You could also shake up the ingredients together, but the blending would offer a thicker and frothier texture that Thandai usually comes along with.Sprinkle some of the chopped nuts on top of the drink, and you’ll have your delicious rose-rum flavored Thandai!
2. Creamsicles
- Wise Monkey White Rum
- Orange juice or liquor
- Milk
- Simple Syrup
- Whipped cream and orange zest (for garnish)
Shake all the ingredients together with ice and serve chilled.
Top it up with whipped cream and some orange zest to get a sweet and creamy treat!
3. Paan shots (inspired by a recipe by chef Sneha Singhi)
- Wise Monkey White Rum
- Milk- Vanilla ice cream
- Paan leaves- Gulkand
- Tutti Frutti/Silver vark (for garnish)
Image Credits: Truffle Nation (Easy to Make Paan Shots Recipe – Truffle Nation)
Blend all the ingredients together with ice. Garnish it with either tutti fruttis or silver varks and serve as shots!
Another version of this paan-infused cocktail was done by mixologist Joel Scholtens of Taj Palace. His version had ginger, lemongrass, lemon juice, orange juice, and a sweet paan mix added along with the spirit.
4. Aamras rum
- Wise Monkey White Rum
- Mango puree
- Soda or Ginger Ale
- Mint Sprigs/dried rose petals (for garnish)
Image credits: Cook with Khushi (Mango Thandai | Aam Thandai – Cook with Kushi)
Add the mango puree and rum to a glass and stir.
Fill up a glass with crushed ice, pour in the mixture, top it up with the fizzy soda and stir again. Finish off by garnishing it with a mint sprig.
5. Hot Toddy
- Indian Spiced Rum
- Cinnamon-infused water
- Honey or Simple syrup
- Cinnamon/lemon slice (for garnish)
Pour in a generous amount of Indian spiced rum to your glass. Add in cinnamon-infused water and honey to your preference. Stir and serve it with a stick of cinnamon and a slice of lemon.
The Hot Toddy brings the the perfect end to a day of fun cocktails. It’s a lovely slow-sipper for those warm family nights after a hectic yet fun-filled day of colors and celebrations.
Here’s another sweet bonus point from us: Get some of those remaining Gulab jamuns and soak them up well and nice in Wise Monkey’s Indian Spiced Rum. You’ll have yourself a sweet treat you’d refuse to share with others.