It so happened during one of the parties at home, the mixers(soft drinks) got over and it was quite late in the night to get new ones, the party was still on and people needed their drinks , I looked around in the kitchen and found some unusual looking amla crush bottle(believe me, this drink was born out of necessity) , so I fixed one vodka drink with this amla crush, I added a regular vodka shot to about 60-80ml of amla syrup , cold water and few cubes of ice and voila the drink was ready.
The drink was such a hit that everyone wanted to try one of those drinks. That day I happened to look around the house and found so many different and interesting mixers that since then I have stopped buying regular aerated drinks as mixers for my parties.
All of us might have such items @ home that we may just tend to overlook, but one may never know that those mixes might turn out to be a super mixers that may make your party a hit, people might remember your party because of that one drink or may be they come to your parties just to try your unusual mixes.
I have tried to list down a few mixes which are easily found at home or are easy to procure, & these make such wonderful cocktails that your guests are bound to get surprised when you tell them the ingredients of their drinks.
Kokum syrup
Amla syrup
Rose syrup
Tea
Strawberry/ mixed fruit Jam
Paani puri
For the base alcohol I have considered vodka as it provides the best versatility for mixed drinks.
So for Kokum Delight you need the kokum syrup, soda or plain water, chaat masala, a dash of lime and ofcourse vodka.
In a glass add 45ml vodka, 60-80ml kokum syrup, pinch of chaat masala to it add water or soda whatever you prefer and then squeeze half a lime and drop it in the glass. Your kokum delight is ready.
The same recipe can be applied for Amla syrup, just remember to minus the lime as amla is tangy enough.
For Rose Garden (many might be familiar with Rooh afza sharbat) one can add vodka: 45ml, rose syrup: 45ml, water (you may want to try sprite) chaat masala (rock salt powder will work too) & a dash of lime. It’s simple & yet very refreshing.
The same recipe may be used for mixed fruit or strawberry jam, just whisk about 20gms of jam to a paste and add rest of the ingredients.
Iced Tea surprise: Prepare black tea using two tea bags & let it cool, Remove juice of one lime and sugar syrup about 20ml. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes, add 45ml vodka then pour the cooled black tea further add the sugar syrup and then the lime juice you can garnish this with fresh mint leaves and lime slice.
Vodka Paani Puri shots: This is your ohh so delicious paani puri with a wicked twist. Prepare paani puri liquid using readymade paani puri powder mix. Then in a shot glass add 15-20ml vodka pour the paani puri liquid & garnish with khara boondi. Best way to have these is to try to gulp it in one shot just the way you have paani puri!!
Cheers!
Enjoy responsibly!
