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Some places in India are raising the bar quite literally! Spaces where drinks are the main attraction, and bartenders and mixologists are experts in traditional cocktails are just what people looking for a good night out need. Creativity, innovation and first-class service, along with delicious food are the key offerings at the five cocktail bars nominated at the upcoming Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2025.
ZLB 23, Bengaluru
Take a trip back in time to the prohibition era at ZLB 23, a Kyoto-style speakeasy. At this bar at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, you can enjoy creative cocktails such as a citrus-flavoured Shiso Negroni or their spin on the traditional Old Fashioned while listening to jazz music in a vintage-style setting. Enquire about the bartender's recommendations all you like, but if you want the genuine deal, a traditional Sazerac made with Templeton rye, absinthe, and Peychaud bitters is your best bet. Angostura, handmade fennel syrup, and Tenjaku Japanese whisky craft a classic Old Fashioned, which is then smoked at the table. The selection of premium spirits, such as whisky, gin, and tequila, is unparalleled.
Carnival by Tresind, Mumbai
As you enter Carnival, you'll be greeted by a beautiful foyer staffed by a masked host. The servers here are dressed like carnival performers, complete with masks and eccentric accoutrements reminiscent of a vibrant carnival! Indulge in the potent Samba de Mundo, a powerful cocktail inspired by Brazil's epic carnival, the Tikiki, a light and fruity rum drink that pays homage to Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival, and Candyflip, a solid white negroni topped with an edible wax sphere. It's essentially a lager spritz, a classic combination of fresh grapefruit juice, beer, Campari, and thyme, and it's a must-have!
Soka, Bengaluru
The creative minds behind Goa's Jamming Goat have opened a sleek cocktail bar in Indiranagar, which is basically a tiny spot with just 38 seats. An inventive spin on a classic rum-and-coke called the Black Cadillac, a rum-based twist on the classic cheese-and-pineapple-on-a-toothpick called the Cheese Cherry Pineapple, and a spicy tequila drink called the Mofo Don round out the technique-led cocktail menu. Ten nano plates serve as upscale bar nibbles to go along with the drinks. As you savour your drink, nibble on some Pan-Seared Scallops, Chicken Yakitori, or Snapper Ceviche Pani Puri.
AMPM, Kolkata
The architecture of AMPM Park Street subtly incorporates elements of nostalgia. Central to the city's social life is the café-cum-bar, located on the renowned party strip. It is a modern take on the classic clubs of the British era. The food and beverage offerings at AMPM Park Street revolve around their coffee program.
The coffee-infused whisky in the Park Street Negroni and the fantastic Before PM Martini, made with Bengali chilli liqueur, tequila and Ngarum espresso, are just two of the artisan drinks that feature these speciality beans. A tangy summer highball made with blue agave, local green tea cordial, and grapefruit is one example of a traditional cocktail that gets a local spin thanks to ingredients like citrus, bitters, and Aberfeldy 12 whisky in the AMPM Old Fashioned.
Comorin, Gurugram
This contemporary Indian eatery's success has always been attributed to its innovative approach to traditional comfort dishes. From the Vada Pav, a street food classic in Mumbai, to the Sarson ka Saag, a Punjabi dish, the menu is brimming with recognisable tastes prepared with fresh ingredients. Comorin stands out not just for the quality of its ingredients but also for the way it presents them.
Cocktails and spirits like Walnut Sour, Nitro Rum Punch, and Khus Vermouth Negroni are available to go perfectly with the food, and they're all crafted with house-prepared bitters and mixers. Additionally, Fennel Liqueur and Vanilla Cognac are also delicious, unique picks from the menu. Sleek and contemporary is the restaurant's ambience reflected in its well-chosen assortment of coffee, tableware, barware, and culinary tools for sale.
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