A hint of lime, a whiff of thyme and the special sensation that lingers for a few minutes after every sip of the bartender’s specials would sum up the new Monsoon Cocktail Menu at Seasons Bar & Tea Lounge in Taj Krishna. We were ushered in by the assistant manager, Nipan Talukdar, who informed, “We have added five new cocktails this monsoon, using local ingredients.” The counter with fresh bitters and a basket full of mangoes, figs and limes from local farms set the mood for what was to come.
Local wonders
We wasted no time in asking the bartender, Jit Mukherjee, for the Pineapple and Mango Rum cocktail. A thin slice of mango and a bit of pineapple was blended together with the Bacardi white rum. We had a sip of the concentrated honey and thyme concoction that goes into the drink. The delicately sweet mix tasted fresh. The hint of chaat masala sprinkled on top adds a local touch. Meanwhile, we nibbled on the warm and cheesy Fried Brie and Asian Spicey Fish as we waited for our next drink. The appetisers went well with the drinks prepared by the bartender. Before our next drink came up we were offered a whiff of thyme, which we gently rubbed into our palms, hoping to get a hint of it again as we sipped on the Vodka Thyme Lemonade. The generous pour of Ketel One Vodka in this classic apéritif only adds to the overall refreshing proposition.
A bit of heat
The honey infusion used in the drink uses vanilla and French bean shipped from Madagascar, cooked in honey and herbs, with a little hint of chili. “The hint of chili oil lends a soothing warmth to your throat,” says Nipan. We also tried the Damp Pavement which was rustled up with local lime (mosambi), half a lemon and Talisker single malt whisky. The ice infusion with dhaniya seeds adds to the burst of flavours. The Chicken Morsels that came up next were crispy. However, it was the Pineapple and Mango Rum cocktail that left us wanting more. Apart from the three cocktails we tried, there are two more gin-based cocktails, The Nolet’s Bramble Cocktail and Space Gin Smash. While the former is made with pomegranate and raspberry liqueur, the latter is based on green apple and grapes. The short eats on the side, as we watched the drizzle while sipping on our cocktails, made this drinking session close to perfect.
Price for two: Rs.1,500 ++
Details: 66662323