This International Whisk(e)y Day (March 27), whisky takes on a new voice, one shaped by South Asia’s most exciting bartenders with Johnnie Walker.
At the regional rounds of World Class India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, creativity went far beyond the expected. Think savoury builds, cultural infusions, and techniques that turn familiar classics into something far more layered.
Here are four standout cocktails that deserve your attention.
Origin by Sarbani Mukherjee, Conversation Room, Kolkata
Twist on: Bloody Joseph
A cocktail that leans into depth and restraint, Origin reworks the Bloody Joseph with a thoughtful, almost meditative approach. The use of coffee and tomato-infused vermouth adds a layered savouriness, while whisky anchors the drink with structure.
Ingredients:
- Johnnie Walker Black Label – 30 ml
- Coffee & tomato vermouth – 30 ml
- Celery bitters – 3 dashes
- Saline solution – 2 dashes
- Garnish: cherry tomato
Five Women Brewers, One Collaborative Wheat Ale
Method:
Add all ingredients into a mixing tin with ice.
Roll the drink between tins to gently mix and aerate.
Strain into a Japanese lowball glass over a 2×2 ice block.
Garnish with a cherry tomato and stamp on ice.
Why it stands out:
The slow infusion builds complexity without overwhelming the palate. Each sip feels intentional, with a clean, savoury finish.
CMB Vibes by Akash Rajapaksha, Columbar, Colombo
Twist on: Espresso Martini
This one brings Colombo’s café culture straight into the glass. CMB Vibes blends whisky with aromatic spiced coffee, then softens it with vanilla and a rich chocolate cream top.
Ingredients:
- Johnnie Walker Black Label – 50 ml
- Aromatic spiced coffee – 50 ml
- Vanilla syrup – 20 ml
- Cold chocolate double cream (to top)
Salty Nerd Vodka By Blisswater Industries Debuts
Method:
Add all ingredients (except chocolate cream) into a shaker with ice.
Shake well until chilled and frothy.
Strain over a clear ice cube into a stainless steel mug.
Top with cold chocolate double cream.
Garnish with a sprinkle of chocolate powder.
Why it stands out:
The cocktail balances bold coffee notes with a creamy finish, making it ideal for slow sipping.
After Meal by Anshul Tiwari, The Bagh, Amritsar
Twist on: Manhattan
A familiar format, reinterpreted through an Indian lens. This Manhattan-style cocktail uses a jaggery and jeera-led vermouth, bringing in flavours often associated with post-meal digestion.
Ingredients:
- Johnnie Walker Black Label – 40 ml
- In-house sweet vermouth – 20 ml
Method:
Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
Stir until well chilled and diluted.
Strain into a coupe glass.
Serve over a small ice block.
Garnish with a jeera cookie and gold foil.
Why it stands out:
The drink keeps its structure clean and dry, even with bold flavour cues. It’s a smart balance between comfort and craft.
Jal Jeevan by Siddhesh Palande, The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai
Twist on: Bloody Mary
Light, bright, and quietly complex—Jal Jeevan takes the savoury core of a Bloody Mary and stretches it into a more delicate highball. The use of clarified tomato soda gives the drink clarity, both visually and on the palate.
Ingredients:
- Johnnie Walker Black Label – 40 ml
- Bianco Vermouth – 10 ml
- Clarified citrusy & spicy tomato soda – 80 ml
- Collins ice cube
Method:
Build Johnnie Walker Black Label and Bianco Vermouth in a ceramic highball over a Collins ice cube.
Top with clarified citrusy & spicy tomato soda.
Give a gentle lift to combine.
Garnish with a pickled tomato and green olive.
Clarified Tomato Soda (Prep):
Blend Deccan tomatoes, grapefruit juice, salt, jalapeño brine, Worcestershire sauce, and white wine vinegar.
Strain through coffee filter paper until clear.
Bottle and chill before service.
Why it stands out:
The clarification technique removes heaviness while keeping flavour intact. The result is clean, bright, and quietly complex.
The Bigger Picture
What ties these cocktails together is not just technique—it’s perspective. Each bartender takes a global classic and filters it through local ingredients, memories, and drinking habits.
The result? Whisky that feels more personal, more regional, and far more exciting.
This International Whisk(e)y Day, these four serve to prove one thing clearly—
The future of whisky cocktails in South Asia is rooted in identity, not imitation.
