For a long time, Indians have been enjoying and making their alcoholic drinks. Industrial alcohol production in India too has a history stretching back more than 200 years. The first sophisticated distillery in India was set up in Kanpur in 1805 by the British, who made rum for their soldiers. There were fourteen distilleries in India before the turn of the twentieth century; by the time the country gained its independence, that number had swelled to forty. In India, alcohol use, production, and imports have all surged in the last 20 years. This dynamic sector is now estimated to be worth $50 billion a year. Drinking alcohol in India is anticipated to reach 5.91 billion litres in 2023 and 6.21 billion litres in 2024, according to a Statista analysis. So what does India drink? Here is a list of 4 popular liquor drinks and the famous brands attached to them!
Whiskey
Whisky is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in India! In India, McDowell's No. 1 whisky is a popular brand. Since its inception in 1963, it has risen to become a global powerhouse in the whisky industry and the best-selling brand in India. As a top beverage alcohol firm in India, Diageo India includes the brand in its portfolio. The special ingredient that makes McDowell's No. 1 stand out is a combination of high-quality Indian malts with imported Scotch. In an attempt to boost its brand awareness, McDowell's No. 1 has partnered with many Bollywood and cricket productions and events. Music performances have also been sponsored by it. It is a popular alcohol drink loved by the masses!
Reasonably priced and much loved, Officer's Choice has been a smashing success. The brains behind the brand are Kishore Chhabria. With the help of the brand's name and packaging—which has naval officer stripes—he was able to realise his goal of offering a feeling of high prestige at an affordable price.
Rum
If you’re looking for popular liquor drinks, you couldn’t get any closer to the top than Old Monk! Old Monk is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages of all time! For as long as anybody can remember, Old Monk rum has been widely considered the finest rum in India by its many loyal customers. It is also among the most well-known brands of foreign liqueurs made in India. A legendary vetted Indian black rum, Old Monk was first created in 1935 and produced in the distillery of Mohan Meakin Ltd. Dark rum with a sweet scent and flavour, made using the classic traditional method and blended for seven years despite its high alcohol concentration. It contains 42.8% alcohol by volume. The wide-bottomed bottles are hand-made, so each one is somewhat different, and they are all distinctive to the Old Monk brand.
Beer
Beer is a popular alcoholic in India due to its lower alcohol content and cheaper prices! Among young beer enthusiasts in India, Kingfisher beer is the most popular and best-selling brand. Beers in the collection range from Kingfisher Lager and Kingfisher Premium, which are on the lighter side, to Kingfisher Super and Extreme Max, which are on the heavier side, with varying alcohol contents. Kingfisher beers have a lively taste because of their balanced malty and citrussy grains. Premium, which results in its higher quality and very affordable price, is one of the most popular variations offered by Kingfisher. Since its 1978 debut, Kingfisher has amassed an enormous fan base. It accounts for 36% of the total beer profit margin in the Indian market. With an alcohol content of 8%, Kingfisher Strong is the strongest beer available and the best-selling beer in India. The flavour is delicious, and it goes well with the aromatic Indian food, making it one of the most popular alcoholic beverages!
Vodka
In India, Magic Moments vodka is the most popular brand. This brand, owned by the country's leading spirits maker, Radico Khaitan, is among the most well-known and reasonably priced alcoholic beverages in the nation. Vodka is among the most popular liquor drinks among the urban Indian youth!
You can get Magic Moments in a variety of flavours, such as chocolate, green apple, orange, lemon, and plain. The smooth flavour of the vodka is achieved using a triple distillation procedure. In the short time since its 2005 launch, Magic Moments has risen to prominence as one of India's most beloved vodka brands. Among the many popular Indian vodka brands, White Mischief is right up there. The UB Group owns WM, which has a staggering 46% market share and is rapidly becoming the best-selling vodka in India. You may get it in a variety of delicious flavours, including mint, cinnamon, green apple, and strawberry.