Holi is the ultimate spring festival, with its bright colours, festive atmosphere, great food, and not to forget, delicious drinks. Whether you’re dancing under a rain of gulaal or indulging in feasts, these lively concoctions are crafted to elevate the spirit of the occasion.

There is something for everyone on this list. For instance, Smokey Monkey is a perfect balance of sweet and peat for cocktails and mixing. With a delicious twist to the original Monkey Shoulder, Smokey Monkey is a blend of oaky smokiness and a taste that balances dry peaty notes with creamy sweetness and spice. The underlying sweetness in Smokey Monkey makes it delicious when neat (or with a splash of water), but the liquid comes into its own in Smokey twists on classic cocktail serves. Take a look at the recipes below, and take your pick from these classic cocktails

Monkey Sundowner

The Monkey Sundowner is a refreshing, light cocktail that captures the essence of a relaxing evening drink. It combines the smooth richness of Monkey Shoulder with the sweetness of peach syrup and the tartness of lime juice, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Ingredients:

60ml Monkey Shoulder

20ml peach syrup

20ml lime juice

Grapefruit shrub (to top up)

Garnish:

Edible flower

Method:

Shake the Monkey Shoulder, peach syrup, and lime juice with ice until well mixed. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Top up with grapefruit shrub and gently stir. Garnish with an edible flower for a visually stunning finish.

Hendrick’s Cranberry Fizz

Ingredients:

1 part Hendrick’s Original Gin

2 parts Cranberry Juice

1 part Sparkling Wine

Garnish:

Cucumber Slices

Mint sprig

Cranberries

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a highball glass filled with cubed ice. Lightly stir. Garnish with cucumber slices, mint sprig and cranberries.

Colour cocktails

Curated by Diageo’s Brand Ambassador, Hemali Bendre, these recipes blend bold flavors with playful twists—ranging from fruity and refreshing to rich and indulgent. Raise a glass, revel in the moment, and toast to togetherness, laughter, and the joy of Holi!

White As Jasmine

Ingredients:

50 ml Smirnoff No. 21

20 ml Jasmine Tea Syrup

20 ml Starfruit Juice

2 dashes Vegan Foamer

Method:

Shake all the ingredients well.

Glassware:

Coupe

Garnish:

Starfruit slice

Blue As Pea Flower

Ingredients:

60 ml Black Dog

30 ml Blue Pea and Lavender Cordial

100 ml Soda Water

Method:

Build up in a highball glass.

Glassware:

Highball

Garnish:

Fresh Blue Pea Flower

Ice:

Cubes

Yellow As Pineapples

Ingredients:

60 ml Johnnie Walker Blonde

15 ml Spiced Pineapple Syrup

10 ml Maple Syrup

30 ml Fresh Lime Juice

0.5 gm Sea Salt

2 dashes Vegan Foamer

10 ml Italian Bitter Aperitif (float)

Method:

Shake all ingredients well and float the Italian Bitter Aperitif on top.

Glassware:

Old Fashioned

Garnish:

Italian Bitter Aperitif float with Charred Pineapple Slice

Ice:

Block

Res As Tomatoes

Ingredients

45 ml Black & White

120 ml Tomato Juice

2 dashes Green Tabasco Sauce

2 dashes Worcestershire Sauce

10 ml Fresh Lime Juice

0.5 gm Celery Salt

Method

Roll the ingredients well.

Glassware

Highball

Garnish

Celery Salt Rim with Fresh Celery Sticks

Ice

Cubes

Orange As An Orange

Ingredients

45 ml White Chocolate Fat Washed Johnnie Walker Black Label

10 ml Orange Liqueur

2 dashes Orange Bitters

Method

Stir well.

Glassware

Old Fashioned

Garnish

Orange and White Chocolate Crisp

Ice

Block

Gulal Punch

Ingredients: White Rum (60ml), Mixed berry juice (120ml), Lime juice (15-20ml)

Method: To make the cocktail, combine white rum, mixed berry juice and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake until well cold, then top with club soda. Strain into a glass.

Ice: Serve over fresh ice cubes in a large glass to keep it cool and refreshing.

Garnish: A sprig of edible flower adds elegance and beauty while also providing a burst of colour and scent.

Kesariya Sour

Ingredients:

60ml whisky

15ml saffron syrup

15ml lemon juice

1 egg white

Method: Dry shake the ingredients (without ice) until frothy. Add ice cubes and shake again for a velvety smooth consistency. Strain into a glass.

Ice: Pour over new ice cubes in a rocks glass to create the desired chill and dilution.

Garnish: A small sprinkling of Kesari (saffron threads) on top.

Rose Petal Martini

Ingredients:

60ml gin

25ml of Rose Syrup

30ml of Lime Juice

Method: Pour Rose Syrup and top with Lime Juice. In a mixing glass, combine all of the ingredients and ice. Stir until thoroughly cold. Strain into a martini glass to provide a smooth and elegant finish.

Ice: Stirred with ice cubes in the mixing glass to get a well-balanced coolness without overdilution. served neat in a martini glass.

Garnish: A single rose petal on top creates a subtle flowery smell and a visually appealing display.