Colorful Cocktail Ideas for Holi

The excitement of Holi is already brewing wild and most of us have already aligned our plans together with friends and family. Lots of colors, music, and good food just gets the mood rolling up on this delightful day. But one can always kick it up a notch - because there is nothing like an ‘upper limit’ on the fun. We are talking about a few good cocktails that can turn the non-dancers into swaggy groovers, and the shy ones into the life of the party.

If you are reading this blog, it is very likely that you have a refined taste when it comes to delightful parties and get-togethers. And so, to make your Holi celebration a hoot-and-a-half, we have some amazing ideas for colorful cocktails. These cocktail recipes not just match the authentic vibrance of this special occasion, but truly embody the spirit of celebration in every sip. We promise!

So, here are some colorful cocktail ideas for Holi curated just for you.

Read on and try all of them for your Holi get-together. 

The ‘Holi Hai’ Special

Perhaps no other cocktail imbibes the spirit of Holi and boldly celebrates it like the ‘Holi Hai’ cocktail. In fact, this Holi special cocktail speaks of togetherness and love for this festival from across the world. Originated at a restaurant in New York, the Holi Hai cocktail will transcend your senses and send your soul into celebration mode. This cocktail is inspired by the bright colors and festive flavors of Holi - the perfect ballet of spiced rum, lime juice, spiced demerara, mint and magic ice in the dual martini glass.   

How to Make the ‘Holi Hai’ Cocktail?

Ingredients:

1. Spiced rum
2. Lime juice
3. Fresh mint leaves
4. Spiced Demerara syrup
5. Magic ice (likely refers to ice cubes that have been coloured, possibly with edible color to match the Holi theme)

Instructions:

1. If you're making coloured ice cubes, mix water with edible food coloring and freeze in an ice cube tray until solid.
2. Combine equal parts of Demerara sugar and water in a saucepan.
3. Add a mix of spices (like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise) to taste.
4. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then allow to cool and strain out the spices.
5. In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle a handful of fresh mint leaves to release their flavor.
6. Add 2 oz of spiced rum, 1 oz of lime juice, and 1 oz of the spiced Demerara syrup to the shaker.
7. Add ice (regular or magic ice if you're using it for shaking) to the shaker.
8. Shake well until the mixture is well chilled.
9. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with magic ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint or a lime wheel.

Caribbean Sunrise

How about mixing the tropical vibe with the colors of Holi? Caribbean Sunrise is a special cocktail that you can serve on Holi to unleash your inner party nerd! This cocktail looks incredibly appealing, especially when served in this unique globe cocktail glass or the noble stem gin glass.

How to Make the ‘Caribbean Sunrise’ Cocktail?

Ingredients:

• 65ml Skull X vodka
• 200ml Pineapple juice
• Juice of half a lime
• 20 ml Grenadine

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, pour 65 ml of Skull X vodka, 200 ml of pineapple juice, and the juice of half a lime.
2. Securely close the shaker and shake vigorously to combine the ingredients well.
3. Strain the mixture into a glass to remove any unwanted pulp or ice shards if you used ice in the shaker.
4. Gently pour 20 ml of Grenadine into the glass. The Grenadine will sink to the bottom and gradually mix to create a beautiful gradient effect.
5. Garnish with a lime wheel or a slice of pineapple on the rim of the glass or floating on top.

Holi Dhamaka

What is Holi without a true blast where people drop their inhibitions and unleash true fun and frolic? For the party lovers and whiskey lovers (if you happen to fall in that sweet spot!), we have just the right cocktail. Holi Dhamaka is a beloved whiskey-based cocktail and its recipe originated in the land of colors itself - India!. Its notes are fruity and taste delicate. Whether you take the party by the pool side or inside your home, Holi Dhamaka will take the enjoyment sky high.

How to Make the ‘Holi Dhamaka’ Cocktail?

Ingredients

• 45 ml whisky
• 15 ml single malt
• 15 ml star anise syrup
• 15 ml peach syrup
• 15 ml lemon juice
• 15 ml butter sauce
• 20 ml espresso
• Coffee dust and dried apricot for garnish

Instructions

1. In a shaker, add 45 ml whisky, 15 ml single malt, 15 ml star anise syrup, 15 ml peach syrup, 15 ml lemon juice, 20 ml espresso, and 15 ml butter sauce.
2. Add ice to the shaker and stir well until the mixture is chilled.
3. Strain the drink into a glass.
4. Garnish with coffee dust and a dried apricot.

The Yellow Flower

Yellow color is all too familiar during the Holi celebration. In India, this yellow color is traditionally made from Tesu or the Flame of the Forest flower - a bright orange and yellow bloom that comes around during the Holi festival season. This cocktail, The Yellow Flower, is not only a tribute to this auspicious color, but a humble delicacy in itself. This Gin cocktail will inspire you with its honey based notes (and even motivate you to groove on Holi songs!). It is also easy to prepare and a delight to serve. Here is the recipe.

How to Make ‘The Yellow Flower’ Cocktail?

 Ingredients

• 60ml Holi Gin
• 30ml Runny Honey (prepare with a 2:1 ratio of honey to hot water)
• 30ml Fresh Lemon Juice

Instructions

1. Mix honey with hot water in a 2:1 ratio until honey is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
2. Add 60ml Holi Gin, 30ml runny honey, and 30ml fresh lemon juice in a shaker.
3. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously until well chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass. Serve chilled.

Try all these special cocktails for this Holi and celebrate in style. Stay tuned for more!