When the weather turns cold, for many it becomes time to reach for a libation that is more robust in character and possibly a little more on the spicier side.

Recently we utilized two whiskies – one from India, and another from Canada that has been crafted with a strong Indian influence to forge 6 spicy, winter-ready cocktails. Of the 6, we paired our favorite with a fine cigar.

Pop quiz:

Next to Scotland, what nation produces more whisky than anywhere else in the world?

No, it’s not Canada. Nor is it the United States. I wouldn’t fault you for guessing Ireland, but that would be also incorrect.

To the surprise of many, it’s India. The Beverage Trade Network reports that India produces over 120 million cases of whisky per year (just for reference, the USA produces over 37 million cases and Canada produces 21 million cases).

Now, that’s a lot of whisky, and thus, India is emerging as the fastest growing nation when it comes to whisky production.

Pot stills inside the Picadilly Distillery in Haryana, India.

For this piece, we’ve sourced two whiskies – one from India, and one made in Canada with a strong influence of Indian spices. We’ve reviewed the spirits, and have devised 6 cocktails that show off their spicy character and perfect for enjoying over the colder months of the year.

[NOTE: To get maximum enjoyment from these cocktails, you’ll need to create two (2) easy to make simple syrups that showcase South Asian spices and are used in a few of the concoctions. They’re easy to make – you’ll be glad you did]

WHISKY #1: Indri Trini Single Malt Whisky

The Indri Trini Single Malt Whisky is referred to as the “Trini” as a result of a three-wood aging process involving ex-French red wine, PX sherry, and ex-bourbon casks. Indri uses traditional six-row Indian barley that is cultivated using old indigenous practices. The barley lends a distinctive fruity and floral taste to the amber-colored liquid, delivering notes of pineapple, vanilla, hints of black tea, raisins and citrus with a subtle nuttiness.

While enjoyed neat, the Indri is exquisite. Its floral and fruit-forward character also can play a starring role in the right cocktail.

Indri Single Malt Whisky is distilled at Picadilly Distillery in Haryana, India.

WHISKY #2: Masala Whiskey

Masala Whiskey utilizes a grain mash of Canadian corn and rye that is steeped in hot water prior to fermentation, distillation, and aging.

As an added touch, it undergoes a unique infusion process, that fuses the aromatic citrus and vanilla notes of cardamom with earthy coriander, the subtle kick of white pepper, and extra-bold black peppercorns sourced from the Malabar Coast of India.

The result is a Canadian whisky that exudes a light-honey color and has a slight gin-like essence as a result of the spice infusion. Crafted with a strong South-Asian influence, it performs well neat, yet truly shines in a cocktail.

Masala Whiskey is distilled at the Nickle 9 Distillery in Toronto, Canada.

1. Cocktail: Smoked Garam Masala Old Fashioned

Garam Masala spice is extremely popular in Indian culinary. It typically features whole coriander, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, cloves, cardamom and bay leaves and can be found at an Indian grocer or in the international isle of certain grocery stores. This recepie results in an Old Fashioned-style cocktail that has an extra layer of spicy character created by the addition of a spicy simple syrup.

Tobacco bitters add a sweet tobacco note that compliements the spice perfectly. The smoking of the cocktail is the cherry on top 9yes, you can also granish with a cocktail cherry).

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 oz (60 ml) Masala Whiskey
  • 1/4 oz (30 oz) Garam Masala simple syrup
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers’ Tobacco Bitters
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Lemon zest garnish

To Prepare:

Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until chilled. Pour over a large ice cube in an Old Fashioned glass. Spritz fresh lemon zest over the glass. Apply Cocktail Smoker and torch woodchips on top of the glass. Garnish with lemon zest.

Garam Masala Simple Syrup: Make a rich Garam Masala simple syrup by adding a 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar together in a small pot stirring over medium-low heat. When the sugar is completely melted, add the garam masala spice and remove from heat. Once the syrup has cooled, pour it through a fine mesh strainer (or better yet, a coffee filter) and then transfer it into a container for up to 2 months.

2. Cocktail: Indian Winter

This sour-style cocktail is a fusion of Indian whiskey emboldened by traditional Indian spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. To many, cardamom is considered “Indian vanilla”. Citrus and egg white add a nice frothy character.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 oz (60 ml) Indiri Single Malt Whisky
  • 1/2 oz (30 ml) lemon juice
  • 1/4 oz (30 oz) Cardamom simple syrup
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Freshly ground nutmeg garnish

To Prepare:

In a cocktail shaker (without ice), add 2 oz of Indiri Single Malt Whisky, 1/2 oz of honey cardamom simple syrup, 1/2 oz of lemon juice, and 1 egg white. Shake vigorously for 20 to 25 seconds to combine the ingredients. Add ice to the shaker and repeat the process. Pour over a large ice cube in a chilled Old Fashioned glass. For garnish, sprinkle freshly ground nutmeg and a lemon zest or a star anise.

Cardamom Simple Syrup: Crush a tablespoon of cardamom seeds with a mortar and pestle. Combine with 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small pot stirring over medium-low heat. When the sugar is completely melted, add the crushed cardamom seeds and remove from heat. Once the syrup has cooled, pour it through a fine mesh strainer (or better yet, a coffee filter) and transfer it into a container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

3. Cocktail: Chai Whiskey Flip

A flip cocktail consists of a spirit, sugar, and a whole egg, double-shaken until thick and frothy. The Chai Whiskey Flip is a velvety smooth cocktail with the perfect profile of whiskey, cream and spice. It exhibits flavors of warm baking spices and botanicals which are brought to the fore by the base spirit and the simple infusion with chai tea.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 oz (60 ml) Chai-infused Masala Whiskey 
  • 1/4 oz (15 ml)  1:1 simple syrup
  • 1 whole egg
  • grated nutmeg and cinnamon to garnish

To Prepare:

In a cocktail shaker (without ice), shake Chai-infused whiskey, a whole egg, and simple syrup together. Add ice and repeat the process. Strain into a chilled coupe, sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Chai infused whisky: Add 2 teabags of Chai tea to steep in roughly 1 cup of Masala Whiskey overnight. Pour it through a fine mesh strainer (or better yet, a coffee filter) and transfer it into a container. It is shelf-stable and will last for years.

Simple syrup: Combine with 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small pot stirring over medium-low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Once the syrup has cooled, transfer it into a container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

4. Cocktail: Masala Boulevardier

With a partial gin-like character as a result of its unique spice infusion, Masala Whiskey makes the perfect, comforting, Boulevardier that hearkens the classic 3-ingredient cocktail it is all based on: the Negroni. The Campari and the Masala whiskey play off of each other wonderfully, underscored by the sweet character of the vermouth.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) Masala Whisky
  • 1 oz (30 ml) Campari
  • 3/4 (22.5 ml) oz sweet vermouth
  • Orange zest or wheel to garnish. 

To Prepare:

Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until chilled. Pour in a chilled coupe and serve “up” (or pour over a large ice cube in an Old Fashioned glass). Spritz fresh orange zest over the glass. Garnish with orange zest (you can also use an orange wheel). 

5. Cocktail: Indian Spiced Coffee

This cocktail features a South Asian whisky twist on the classic, warming, Irish coffee.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 6 oz (180 ml) freshly brewed hot coffee
  • 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) Indiri Single Malt Whisky
  • whipped cream to top
  • fresh grated nutmeg to garnish

To Prepare:

Fill a coffee mug with hot water to preheat it, then empty it. Pour hot dark roast coffee (or your personal favorite coffee) into the warmed glass. Add brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Blend in Indri Single Malt Whisky. Top with heavy cream by pouring gently over back of a spoon to layer on top. Garnish with nutmeg.

5. Cocktail: Indian Rusty Nail

The classic Rusty Nail gets the South Asian treatment via subbing in Indiri Single Malt Whisky for Scotch, and Jaan Paan Indian Liqueur for Drambuie. Jaan Paan is a delicate balance of the finest Canadian maple syrup, citrus, vanilla and warm Indian spices.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) Indiri Single Malt Whisky
  • 3/4 oz (22.5 ml) Jaan Paan Indian Liqueur
  • Cherry garnish (optional)

To Prepare:

Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until chilled. Pour over a large ice cube in a chilled Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a cocktail cherry (optional). 

The Smoked Garam Masala Old Fashioned paired exquisitely with a Romeo e Julieta Short Churchill Cuban cigar. The medium-bodied cigar delivered an enhanced element of spice to the cocktail, with prominent cinnamon and black pepper notes.

Whether on their own, or with the perfect cigar, try out these wonderful South-Asian-inspired cocktail creations this winter.

You’ll be glad you did.