Cocktails with Indian spices (chai, masala, jaljeera, kala khatta)
The flavours we grew up with at the chai stall and the gola cart make very good cocktails. This list has four groups. Chai brings warmth and a little bitterness to a rum toddy or a whisky old fashioned. Chaat masala gives a salty kick to cola, tomato juice or pomegranate. Jaljeera turns a plain gin or vodka soda sour and savoury, and it suits beer too. Kala khatta, sweet and tangy, lifts sparkling wine and soda. A pinch goes a long way, so add less than you think and taste.
You chose mocktails only, so the drinks with alcohol are hidden here. See the mocktail guides
The drinks
cocktailMasala Chai Old Fashionedwhisky · black tea · jaggery · cardamom- cocktailMasala Chai Martinivodka · black tea · milk · sugar · cardamom
- cocktailChai Rum Toddydark rum · black tea · milk · jaggery · cardamom · ginger
cocktailserves 4Iced Chai Rum Punchspiced rum · black tea · milk · cardamom · ginger · jaggery
cocktailserves 4Monsoon Scotch Chaiscotch · black tea · honey · cinnamon · cloves · cardamom · lemon · ginger- cocktailFeni Masala Chai Punchfeni · black tea · jaggery · cardamom · ginger
cocktailMasala Rum Colarum (dark, white or spiced) · cola · chaat masala
cocktailMasala Maryvodka · tomato juice · lemon · chaat masala · curry leaves- cocktailAnar Masala Fizzvodka · pomegranate juice · chaat masala · lime · soda water
cocktailSpiked Masala Chaasvodka · buttermilk (chaas) · cumin powder · mint · black salt- cocktailMirchi Micheladabeer · tomato juice · lime · chaat masala · green chilli
cocktailChaat Masala Tequila Shottequila · chaat masala
cocktailserves 4Masala Mulled Winered wine · orange · cinnamon · cloves · star anise · jaggery
cocktailJaljeera Vodka Fizzvodka · jaljeera powder · soda water- cocktailJaljeera Gin Rickeygin · jaljeera powder · lime · soda water
- cocktailJaljeera Rum Smashwhite rum · jaljeera powder · mint · lime · lemon soda (Sprite/7Up)
- cocktailJaljeera Palomatequila · jaljeera powder · orange juice · lime · soda water
- cocktailserves 4Jaljeera Beer Punchbeer · jaljeera powder · lemon soda (Sprite/7Up) · mint · lime
- cocktailPani Puri Shotvodka · jaljeera powder · tamarind paste · mint · coriander
- cocktailKala Khatta Apple Coolerflavoured vodka · kala khatta syrup · soda water · lemon
cocktailKala Khatta Sparklersparkling wine · kala khatta syrup · lime · black salt · mint- cocktailKala Khatta Mimosasparkling wine · kala khatta syrup · orange juice · lime · black salt
- cocktailKala Khatta Brandy Sourbrandy · kala khatta syrup · lemon · egg white · black salt
Questions
I can't find kala khatta syrup. What can I use?
Look for it as a sharbat or gola syrup. Failing that, dark grape juice comes close: our Kala Khatta Vodka, which you can search for on the home page, uses 60 ml of grape juice, 15 ml of lime juice and a pinch each of black salt and chaat masala.
How do I stop jaljeera powder going lumpy?
Stir it smooth in a little liquid before the ice goes in. The Jaljeera Vodka Fizz mixes 1 tsp of powder into 30 ml of water, and the Jaljeera Gin Rickey stirs it into 20 ml of lime juice. Lumps stay lumps once the ice is in.
Can I make the chai ahead? Is there any raw egg?
Yes to the chai. Brew it strong and cool it fully, and it will keep in the fridge for a day. Only the Kala Khatta Brandy Sour here uses raw egg white, and its page gives chickpea water as a swap.