A Drink That Always Regales ...Cocktails

The popularity as well as the craving and desire for cocktails, as compared to other alcoholic drinks, globally, not merely in summer but throughout the year - including winter is undiminishing. Temperatures do not matter.

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Cocktail is always something that is welcome. Whether you are in the freezing hills or enjoying the golden Goan sun cocktails are longed-for drinks by all. Ashok Malkani takes a look at the cocktail scenario in India - including preference of the consumers, the trends that are likely to occur in the New Year and also the future of cocktails.

When the weather outside is chillingly frightening there is no better way to warm oneself than with a festive winter cocktail. If you thought summer was the ideal season for cocktails, think again. Winter is the time for cocktails to shine. This winter drink your troubles away in style by sipping on a cocktail instead of rum, brandy or whisky!

Innovation is one of the things that make this an interesting and enticing drink.

Sometime back, when a blizzard hit Northeastern United States famous chef from Spain, Chef José Andrés, made a cocktail with snow. He scooped up some snow, filled a martini glass with it, and topped it off with mezcal, sweet vermouth, and dried raspberry sugar and salt. And Voila - the snow cocktail was born!

Yes, cocktails are popular all through the year - even in winter! In fact, they are extremely popular during the winter.

Siddharth Saraf, Cofounder, Vaum Tonics says, "Cocktails remain a popular choice during the winter, particularly as people seek warming and comforting drinks. Seasonal flavours like cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple are often incorporated into cocktails to suit the winter palate, making them especially popular during year-end holiday gatherings and celebrations."

Pattabiraman, Director of Food & Beverage, Park Hyatt Chennai, states, "Cocktails are popular all year around. We have some heavy and warm cocktails for the winter and in summer you go for the lighter refreshing cocktails."