Tired of the same name brands when it comes to happy hour? These indigenous spirits in India are elevating every trending bar near you! From smooth limoncillos to elevated Feni, discover the amazing indigenous spirits nominated in this category.
El Goonda
Karan Tacker is the man behind the wildly successful lifestyle beverage line called Goonda, which has joined the agave revolution in India. El Goonda agave spirits and Goonda Energy flavoured energy drinks are the two product categories this company offers. Silver and Reposado agave spirits are offered from El Goonda, along with flavour variations like Coffee (Café), Picante, and Strawberry, all of which come in 180 ml flasks. For those curious about the flavour profile, it's reminiscent of a wild night in a citrus grove, with notes of cooked agave and brilliant lime at the forefront, herbal freshness, and a clean, peppery finish that lingers gently. Goonda Energy joins the functional drink market with a variety of flavours, including the iconic Original, Sugar-Free Bubblegum, and Cola.
Cazulo Feni
Cazulo Feni, owned by Hansel Vaz and his family, is a premium cashew and coconut feni brand that is helping to preserve Goa's tradition. The distillery offers 26 "expressions" of feni, including cashew feni, coconut feni variants, and a unique dukshiri feni. Locals refer to dukshiri as the byproduct of coconut feni's second distillation, which incorporates the sarsaparilla plant. You may also have a guided tour of their cashew plantation and discover everything about the history of feni in Goa, how the cashew fruit is harvested, and the careful process of distilling and bottling it. At the end of the trip, guests will have the chance to sample feni at a table by a little pond on the grounds. The fenis are ideal for light, citrus-flavoured drinks.
Mikiamo Limoncello
At the vanguard of the revolution in India's premium spirits sector is Mikiamo Limoncello, a label that deftly combines Italian artistry with Indian inventiveness. Aakriti Kochhar Sachdeva, CMO of Nuvola Spirits Pvt Ltd and co-founder of Mikiamo Limoncello, takes Indian consumers on a journey into the realm of genuine, premium liqueurs. A profound admiration for Italian liqueurs and the opportunity to expose them to the expanding premium spirits industry in India gave rise to Mikiamo Limoncello. Aakriti and Raghav recognised a need in the Indian market for a traditionally made limoncello that was both affordable and true to traditional Italian recipes, thanks to their awareness of the changing drinking culture in the country.
Maya Pistola Anejo and Extra Anejo
After Desmondji's 51% and 100% agave spirits, Pistola is the only other brand in the country that is made from aged agave spirits. The Dhariwal siblings, Rakshay and Radhika, are the founders of the hospitality stable. Dhariwal is starting with the reposado variation before introducing the smoky agave and añejo varieties of Pistola. It's velvety smooth, with notes of butterscotch, caramel, and vanilla, with just the right amount of spicy heat to tantalise the taste buds. The best way to find out how a spirit does in India is to drink it outside and observe how your body reacts. The reposado disappears completely, even on a slightly muggy evening in India, leaving no aftertaste of previous tequilas. The añejo is infused with cooked agave, cocoa, honey, and butter, while the smoky agave has hints of white pepper, grass, and honey in the pipeline.
Six Brothers Mahura
A world-first spirit distilled from the culturally significant Mahura flower (Madhuca Longifolia, also known as Mahua, Mahuva, Mahuda, or Mhowra), indigenous to the forests of western and central India, is about to be unveiled by South Seas Distilleries, one of the oldest malt distilleries in India. The launch of Six Brothers Mahura is set to shake up the global drinks industry. Six Brothers Mahura is a unique spirit designed for sophisticated palates. The profile is rich and fragrant, starting with dried fruit, pepper, and ginger aromas that are sweet and earthy. Then, it has a clean, spicy finish with raisin notes that linger. People who are sick of the same three spirits can use them to make cocktails with a variety of powerful and complex flavours.