A Homegrown Guide To The Best Cocktails In New Delhi: Curated By Rakshay Dhariwal

The following guide was curated with the assistance of Rakshay Dhariwal, Managing Director & Founder of Pass Code Hospitality.

While there are plenty of ‘metropolises’ across the world, there are very few that have the sheer historical and cultural magnetism of Delhi. It’s the granddaddy of all homegrown melting pots; a city where kingdoms were forged; a capstone of vast empires spanning centuries. There’s electricity that permeates the air that’s oxymoronically both ancient and esoteric as well as modern and cutting edge; where the old bleeds into the new and gives back to the past in a temporal melange of sights, sounds, and flavours. 

New Delhi’s cocktail bars take a page out of this unique blend of both past and present to create experiences and mixological masterpieces that tantalise your senses and leave you wanting more. Here’s a homegrown guide to New Delhi’s best cocktail bars. 

If New Delhi is the grandaddy of homegrown metropolises, PCO is the undisputed mecca of Delhi’s cocktail bars. Placing customer choice and the highest quality ingredients at the forefront of its philosophy, PCO has spent the last decade perfecting the art of homegrown mixology and has been a torchbearer for all things hospitality. There is no question that they set the standard that all of their contemporaries look up to. 

The 'Bad Rep' is straight off the bar’s ‘Forbidden’ cocktail menu and features a delectable combination of Agave spirit, tomato juice and MSG. 

Lair subverts the notion of a traditional speakeasy and evolves into something that’s sleek and modern. It’s where you can find a sanctuary of solace and intimacy. There’s a distinct calmness embedded into the silkiness of its dark and atmospheric interiors that envelopes you and allows you to truly appreciate the subtleties of its incredible cocktail offerings. 

Lair’s Picante takes the tequila-based classic and injects it with its own proprietary blend of zest and flavour. You haven’t had a Picante if you’ve not had one at Lair. 

Home not only brings world-class hospitality and one-of-a-kind drinks to the fore, it also injects its cocktails with a warmth that makes it feel like you’re in the company of your closest friends, even if you’re on a solo night out. As its name suggests, the bar was founded with the mission of bringing the essence of ‘home’ to its customers through its myriad of offerings. Tucked away from the chaos of the city, Home is the perfect place to stimulate your senses after a long and tiring week. 

The '16th Century' is a delectable confluence of Delhi’s past and present; mixing lavender and saffron with gin to create a homegrown martini-like hybrid that perfectly hits the spot. 

Hoots is the very definition of a modern speak-easy bar and takes a refreshing no-nonsense approach to its cocktail offerings. There’s a quiet confidence and an effortless nonchalance about the way they approach their craft and each drink pays homage to the pop cultural essence of not just Delhi, but cities across the world. 

Their approach is best encapsulated by their unique citrusy take on the Picante: the delightfully neon-hued Robert’s Daisy. 

A bonafide ‘bartenders bar’, Sidecar takes the artistry and artisanship of cocktails to all new heights and represents an authentic love for every facet of the mixological process. There’s an appreciation for the process here that you’ll seldom find at any other cocktail bar in the city and it’s this that translates into unforgettable experiences for its patrons. 

Sidecar’s Cilantro is a tequila-based confluence of tomato, coriander, chilly, mango cordial and a whole host of other ingredients guaranteed to put a swing in your step.

With a name that translates to ‘giggles’ in Hindi, KHI KHi’s core mission statement was founded on values of intent and authenticity. A palpable spirit of playfulness is embedded in every cocktail conceptualized and executed by the bar’s talented core of mixologists. It’s this spirit that encourages its customers to shed their inhibitions; to drink, giggle, and unwind unfettered by the pressures of the outside world.

KHI KHI’s signature Shikanji Highball is a delectable, power-packed interpretation of a classic lemonade: combining vodka, chutney, lemon and coriander. 

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