New Delhi: 

As the clink of glasses echoes around the globe, World Cocktail Day 2025 arrives as the perfect occasion to toast to creativity, craftsmanship, and the timeless charm of cocktails.

Celebrated annually on May 13, this day honours the art of mixology — blending tradition with innovation in every pour. While we all love to make a cheer for celebrations, success or a long time pending visit, perfect and bold flavours of cocktails can add to the spirit and make it even more special without making you feel dizzy.

1. Lemon Ninja

By: Nishant K Gaurav, Mixologist for Guppy

Ingredients:

2 slices of grapefruit

1 slice of orange

2 basil leaves

15 ml lemon juice

15 ml simple syrup

20 ml orange juice

60 ml gin

Method:

Add all ingredients to a shaker.

Shake well with ice cubes.

Strain and pour into the glass.

Basil leaf and a slice of grapefruit to garnish

2. Bittersweet Spritz

By: Nitin Gupta, Head Bartender at BeeYoung Brewgarden

Ingredients:

30 ml gin

30 ml Aperol

15 ml elderflower syrup

15 ml fresh lemon juice

60 ml soda water

Ice

Method:

Fill a wine glass with ice.

Add gin, Aperol, elderflower syrup, and lemon juice.

Stir gently.

Top with soda water and stir again.

Orange wheel and mixed frozen berries

3. Pulp Fiction

By: Nitin Gupta, Head Bartender at BeeYoung Brewgarden

Ingredients:

40 ml vodka

60 ml fresh apple juice

20 ml cold-pressed beetroot juice

15 ml fresh lemon juice

10 ml vanilla syrup

Ice

Method:

Add all ingredients into a shaker.

Shake vigorously with ice for 10–15 seconds.

Fine strain into a chilled glass.

Garnish with a thin apple slice or an orange twist

4. Spill The Juice

By: Jenu Sunny, Head Mixologist, One8 Commune Golf Course Road
Ingredients:

200 ml of gin

80 ml watermelon juice

40 ml Amaro

40 ml homemade strawberry syrup

80 ml lime acid

Method:

Mix all ingredients together.

Filter through coffee filter paper.

Serve over block ice

5. Dos Me Up Spicy

By: Jitendre Sharma, Regional Manager & Mixologist, Dos Delhi
Ingredients:

60 ml tequila

15 gm wasabi

5 gm basil

5 gm cilantro

60 ml sour cream

5 ml agave

Preparation Method:

Sous vide tequila with basil and cilantro for 4 hours at 70°C.

Cool it in a cold bath.

Add sour cream to the tequila and allow it to curdle for 30 minutes.

Filter through coffee filter paper.

Store clear liquid in a glass bottle in the refrigerator.

Serve on the rocks with an herb salt rim and dehydrated celery leaves

6. Soldado

By: Fay Barretto (Mr. Bartender and the Crew) for Miss Margarita
Ingredients:

60 ml mezcal

20 ml mint & watermelon rind shrub

10 ml Supasawa

10 ml of milk

Method:

Stir all ingredients well.

Strain into the glass.

Now top with 1 watermelon ball, mint air, or a mini hat

Taste Profile: Briny, Umami

7. Tomatillo

By: Harish Chhimwal, Head Mixologist – The Grammar Room
Ingredients:

45 ml mezcal

15 ml dry vermouth

30 ml tomato cordial

2–3 drops saline solution (or pinch of fine sea salt)

Ice

Method:

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

Stir gently until well chilled.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

A thin tomato slice or a cherry tomato skewer for garnish

Add a sip of craziness to your celebrations with these unique and most talked-about recipes by the best mixologists. Let any occasion be the reason you sip, savour and celebrate the spirit of bold and umami flavours.

Whether you’re a home bar enthusiast or a seasoned connoisseur, this year’s celebration offers an exciting array of cocktail recipes curated by some of India’s finest mixologists. Try these bold yet unique flavours at home and impress your guests with a perfect glass for cheers.

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