If there’s one thing we enjoy just as much as a cup of tea here in the UK, it’s a cheeky drink at our local pub. A pint of beer or glass of wine of an evening is so firmly part of our culture, it can be hard to imagine how Friday nights play out in other parts of the world.
Take India, for example. This land of deep spirituality and religious belief has a complicated relationship with alcohol. Of course, in some states such as the liberal region of Goa where beach parties are par for the course, alcohol is certainly tolerated. However, there are other, more conservative areas of the sub-continent where alcohol is illegal or brewed at home and sipped discreetly from paper bags.
In the bigger cities of Delhi and Mumbai, India’s wealthier classes have long enjoyed sipping fine cocktails in swanky hotels and designer bars. However, the wine industry of the country has also developed noticeably over the past decade. The top wine-producing area of India is Nashik, tucked away in the sprawling state of Maharashtra. The wine of the Nashik Valley has become so well-known that it has been awarded geographical indication status – this prevents any other Indian wine sporting this label unless it has been produced in this exact location. Much in the same way as Greek yoghurt and Champagne.
However, one of the biggest alcohol exports in India is actually a spirit – whisky to be precise. Common brands include Bagpiper, Royal Stag and McDowell’s – these enjoy a great deal of popularity all over the globe. But it is the colonial-named Officer’s Choice which is oft considered to be India’s number one whisky brand.
If wine and whisky aren’t quite your thing and you’d rather pair your Indian meal with a nice, cold beer, why not embrace the world of Indian craft beer? Craft beer has taken the food and drink world by storm in recent years as beer-drinkers become more refined in their tastes. Kingfisher, Cobra and Mongoose are classic names in India but there are a number of artisan ales that are certainly worth a sip too. Keep your eyes peeled for Bangla and Bombay Blonde – two of the more popular options.
This being India, land of creativity in the kitchen, there are also certain types of alcohol that are a little different to the wine, beer and spirits you might find at your local curry house. Feni is produced exclusively in Goa and is a drink created from either cashews or the coconut palm, depending on the time of year and the location in the state. With an alcohol percentage of 42-45% feni should come with a cautionary label. However, it is considered to be a key part of Goan culture and was awarded geographical indication registration in 2009 as the Goan authorities campaigned to have it recognised as a heritage brew.
All this talk of exotic drinks leaving you feeling a little parched? Why not book a table at one of London’s best Indian fine dining restaurants and sample the creative cocktails and fine wine lists on offer?
