If cocktails bring to mind classics like whiskey sour, mojito, martini, Bloody Mary and daiquiri, then get some inspiration from Thailand and add these twists
There are no typical Thai cocktails, but infusing classic Thai ingredients like basil leaves, coconut milk, galangal (Thai ginger) and lemongrass to your cocktail adds a touch of freshness and flavour that elevates the drink.
Vir Singh, bar in-charge at Savannah Bar, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, whips up a few cocktails with typical Thai ingredients for us. This hotel in Delhi is home to one of the most popular Thai cuisine restaurants in the city—Soy X Neung Roi—where these mixes find many takers. If you want to try making one at home, then follow these recipes and you will be pleasantly surprised to see how a regular cocktail takes on a new avatar.
Basil mojito
Ingredients
- 10 basil leaves
- 60ml white rum
- 4 lemon wedges
- 30ml lemon juice
- 30ml sugar syrup
- 1 can of soda
Garnish
- Basil sprig
Glassware
- Tom Collins
Method
- Put lemon wedges and basil leaves in the glass and muddle together.
- Add lemon juice, sugar syrup and white rum.
- Fill the glass with ice and top it up with soda.
Coconut & makroot martini
Ingredients
- 45ml coconut milk
- 60ml vodka
- 1 makroot (kaffir lime) leaf
- 20ml sugar syrup
Garnish
- Makroot Leaf
Glassware
- Martini glass
Method
- Muddle the makroot leaf in a mixing glass.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Lemongrass daiquiri
Ingredients
- 60ml white rum
- 6 pineapple chunks
- 5pcs lemongrass
- 20ml honey
- 45ml pineapple juice
Garnish
- Lemongrass stick and pineapple slice
Glassware
- Martini glass
Method
- Muddle the pineapple chunks and lemongrass in the cocktail shaker.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Shake well with ice.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Thai old fashioned
Ingredients
- 45ml orange juice
- 60ml blended whisky
- 20ml honey
- 1 makroot leaf
- 15ml lemon juice
- 1pc galangal
Garnish
- Makroot leaf and lemon wheel
Glassware
- Old fashioned glass
Method
- Put the galangal and the makroot leaf into the cocktail shaker and muddle.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and shake hard with ice.
- Strain into a chilled old fashioned glass with 5-6 ice cubes in it.
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