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Not long ago, most Indian bars and mixologists looked outwards for inspiration and ideas. While this may have been the norm in the 2010s, a new wave of bars is now leaning into local traditions and heritage. For instance, Hortus at the Avenue Center Hotel in Kochi has themed its entire bar experience around the historic Dutch botanical text Hortus Malabaricus. Similarly, Soka, one of Bengaluru’s most talked‑about new bars, showcased local flavors through Vasanai: The Aromas of Bangalore. From Mysuru’s Yellaki bananas to fragrant jasmine flowers, these cocktails reflect Karnataka’s rich culinary landscape.

This trend is also evident in Chennai’s bars and restaurants. The Leather Bar, one of the city’s most sophisticated techno‑ lounge bars at The Park Chennai, features interiors that pay homage to the region’s strong association with leather goods. Its cocktail menu draws inspiration from the city’s cultural threads and seasonal flavours. One such drink, Full Bloom, captures the floral bouquet of Chennai’s famous Koyambedu flower market.

Korkai, one of the newest restaurants to open along Chennai’s East Coast Road (ECR), sits on the edge of the ocean and takes its name from the ancient capital of the early Pandya kingdom. The restaurant presents emblematic dishes from across India, reimagined with signature twists. Helmed by Chef Ashish Bhasin and Chef Shri Bala, Korkai’s cocktail program incorporates local flavors and traditional techniques.

Here Are Four South Indian-Inspired Cocktail Recipes Perfect For Summer Sipping:

1. Recipe: Maami’s Martini

Courtesy: Leather Bar, The Park Chennai

An ode to Chennai’s most beloved beverage – filter coffee – this invigorating cocktail blends Irish whiskey with coffee liqueur.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Irish whiskey
• 30 ml coffee liquor (such as Kahlua)
• 30 ml homemade Mylapore kaapi brew (filter coffee decoction)
• 5-6 ice cubes

Method:

• Add the whiskey, coffee liqueur and kaapi brew to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until well chilled. Double‑strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish:

• Float three coffee beans on top for aroma and visual appeal.

2. Recipe: Marina Goyya

Courtesy: Leather Bar, The Park Chennai

Inspired by Chennai’s Marina Beach, this guava‑based cocktail is a refreshing summer fruit bomb.

Ingredients:

• 30 ml Swedish vodka
• 30 ml white rum
• 30 ml gin
• 30 ml homemade orange liquor
• 30 ml tequila
• 15 ml agave syrup
• 30 ml guava juice
• 8-9 ice cubes

Method:

• Rim a tall pilsner glass with lemon juice and lightly dust it with chilli powder. Fill the glass with ice. Add the spirits, agave syrup and guava juice in the order listed. Stir gently.

Garnish:

Photo Credit: The Park Chennai

3. Recipe: Neera Nights

Courtesy: Korkai, Chennai

Tender coconut water takes center stage in this cooling tropical cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml coconut rum
• 60 ml tender coconut water
• 15 ml orgeat (rose water, sugar and citrus)
• 15g coconut sugar
• 15 g coconut cream
• 2 sprigs fresh mint
• crushed ice
• A pinch of cinnamon powder

Method:

• Muddle one mint sprig with coconut sugar. Add coconut rum and orgeat, stirring gently. Strain in the tender coconut water, add crushed ice, and finish with cinnamon dust and fresh mint.

Photo Credit: Korkai, Chennai

4. Recipe: Tenkasi Saaral

Courtesy: Korkai, Chennai

A bold cocktail featuring South Indian–style spiced buttermilk.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml gin
• 90 ml masala buttermilk, double‑strained
• 15 ml liquid glucose
• 15 ml fresh lemon ginger juice
• 3 kaffir lime leaves
• A pinch of black salt
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• crushed ice
• Masala buttermilk paste: salt, green chilli, ginger, curry leaves and fresh coriander.

Method:

• Add gin, liquid glucose and lemon ginger juice to a shaker.
• Muddle kaffir lime leaves, add crushed ice and shake well.
• Rim a chilled rocks glass with black salt and kaffir lime dust. Strain the gin mixture into the glass, froth the buttermilk and pour it on top.
• Finish with the mustard tadka.

Photo Credit: Korkai, Chennai

These cocktails prove that local flavors make for the most refreshing summer sips.