Be innovative this festive season and serve something different at your house party. Chocolate Martini, Stoli Vanil Vodka, Butterscotch schnapps, White Crème de Cacao.

Intense, aromatic, mysterious. That’s how I prefer to describe fruit flavoured liqueurs. The strawberries, blackberries, raspberries add an aura of magic to the liqueur.

Grapes from different regions of the world, used for making wines have always intrigued me. Apparently, there are 4,000 distinct grape varieties, from which wines are made. Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot gris, Sylvanerand, chianti peppoli classico, pinot noir, carmenere and so on.

I like it when people encourage local talent. And in the same way, when local ingredients are used by bartenders and mixologists for making cocktails, I salute their innovative spirit.

Monsoons may be the perfect time for a steaming cuppa, but what prevents you from keeping yourself warm with a nice cocktail?

Did you know that normally Brandy is made from Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay & Calombar grapes? Interesting, isn’t it? Cognac is also brandy; however it is made from Ugni Blanc grapes produced in Cognac.

The Bloody Mary may be the drink du jour after The Great Gatsby, yet many of us enjoy shots and shooters. Typically, when one thinks of a shot, you think of something straight and strong. Since it is a diminutive beverage — usually 33 ml with one or more spirits — and is drunk in a gulp, one must be careful.

The mango occupies pride of place in all our kitchens as we relish it in various forms during summer. But it is equally versatile in the bar too and makes for some great cocktails.

One of the fastest growing categories in the US is flavoured whisky. Oops! That was my first reaction when I read that piece of news.

Cocktails these days are getting a makeover with guests becoming more demanding. Muddling, squeezing and pouring innovative drinks made with fresh fruit, herbs and top-shelf liquors have been happening for a while. It is this endeavour to be different which has resulted in several exciting signature cocktail offerings.