One of India’s finest mixologists and bartenders, Yangdup Lama has put the country on the global cocktail map after becoming the only Indian to be awarded the Roku Industry Icon Award in 2024.
As someone who has always pushed the boundaries of creativity when it comes to creating cocktails, Lama believes that anything edible can be used to make a cocktail – all that matters is the application.
At his bar, Sidecar, in Delhi, he loves to use regional ingredients to create some path breaking cocktails. We reached out to ask him about his favourite ingredients and how they can be best paired with spirits.
Bitter Orange
Every consumer can relate to orange and when you add a little bit of bitterness to it, it adds that extra zing. It's a no-brainer, especially in cocktails. It does extremely well with gin, vodka, tequila and rum. There are certain whiskey drinks in which it does extremely well but it is all about how you use it. It can't be too intense, but use it subtly in a drink like an Old Fashioned and it will do really well. Right before serving the drink, cut the orange peel, release the oils and just leave it with that nice, citrus aroma on top.
Mint
The cocktail world might have progressed tremendously in the past few years but the Mojito still remains the drink that is sold the most anywhere in the world. Of course, it’s not just the mint that goes into a Mojito but also lime and sugar, but again, it's a win-win. Mint does well with gin and rum. It also does extremely well with whiskey, especially with blended Scotch.
Pineapple
Pineapple is known as the fruit of hospitality. It can be used in multiple ways – as fresh pineapple pulp, pineapple juice, smoked pineapple or infused with vinegar. The best combination for pineapple is definitely rum. It's a match made in heaven. Something as simple as fresh pineapple juice with rum is a fantastic combination. It can be white rum but also aged rum, like a four-year-old rum or eight-year-old rum. While rum makes for a great combination, you can also do tequila pineapple, gin pineapple and vodka pineapple. It goes well with any light spirit.
Ginger
A little bit of ginger in a hot drink is a must, especially in places such as Delhi during the winters. Whether it is whiskey, rum or even an aged tequila, adding ginger gives it a touch of warmth. Even a simple lemonade with a touch of ginger tastes great. Ginger is the kind of spice which has a subtle heat and a great taste. It’s a great combination with whiskey, rum and even gin and tonics. A Manhattan with a touch of ginger works really well.
Walnut
This might seem like an unusual ingredient but walnut’s nutty flavour does extremely well with rum, whiskey, brandy, and aged tequila. One could do a simple infusion, a sous-vide, or roast the walnut to give it a nice burnt flavour before using it in a drink. A walnut-infused whiskey with the creamy, nutty flavour is sure to make people fall in love with it.