Diwali, The Festival of lights, is celebrated in India on a grand scale and may be the only festival celebrated through out the country. This is day is also beginning of New Year in some part of the country. After sunset every home shines by orange light of twinkling Pradips (small earthen lamps) to welcome Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Laxmi. Worship, Exchange of Gifts and Wishes, Lightening of Firecrackers and Decorations are the main attraction of this festival. In Eastern India, mainly in Bengal, ‘Kali Puja’ is performed on this day.
''Diwali'' is derived from the Sanskrit word ''Deepavali''. Meaning of ‘Deep’ is light and that of ‘Avali’ is a row. It means A Row of Lights and certainly illumination and firecrackers are its main attraction. Today instead of Pradips / Diyas we will also see lot of electrical illuminations.
Any festive season calls for good and special food. Diwali is one such festival that continues for a week, stretched even more, and mainly sweets are distributed with some salted yummy snacks. But you know Big Boys always go for new things. Look at my choice.
Let me first take care of some of my decent teetotaler friends. You guys don’t have much choice in my bar. I have stored lot of milk and fruits for you people. May try this mocktails.
1. PD’s CHI CHI
Take 150 ml Pineapple Juice + 30 ml Coconut Cream + 1 cup Ice + Sugar (to taste) in a blender to blend at high speed. Pour the mixture in a tall glass.
Serve with a Pineapple Slice pierced in a cocktail stick in a tall glass.
2. Piscean’s MILKSHAKE
Take in a blender 1 teaspoon honey + pieces of banana + 120 ml cold milk + 30 ml condensed milk. Blend at low speed until smooth. Pour into a tall glass.
I do not prefer to have very thick milkshake so adjust quantity of milk or banana as per your choice. I hope all have not that ‘Ban the Banana’ Club.
3. Her RUCHI
100 ml Chilled milk + 1tsp Nescafe + 1 tsp sugar + crushed ice in a shaker and shake well. Pour it in tall glass and add 50 ml Coke in it and add scoop with ice-cream of smooth texture of your choice.
4. Dhaval’s M++
In a tall glass take 150 ml warm milk + 30 ml milkmaid (condensed milk) + pinch of kesar and mix well. Serve with small pieces of nuts preferably pista.
5. Scorpion Lady
Mix 150 ml of cold milk with two tbsp of Rooh Afza in a tall wide mouth glass. Add a scoop of vanilla ice-cream on the top. Serve on a plate with a suitable spoon.
I think I have done enough justice to you guys. Guys have enough milk and be stronger to take care of the bad one. Now let me be with my big bad boys. May try these cocktails with some caution.
1. Arun’s Choice –
Cool Single Malt (around 15'Celsius) with out any additives preferably in narrow mouth short glass. Serve with Seafood Salad.
2. Gentle Giants Martini – Vodka based
Take, 60 ml vodka + 30 ml dry vermouth with cracked ice in a shaker and shake well. Strain and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive and a piece of cucumber pierced in a cocktail stick.
James Bond preferred this cocktail ''Shaken, not Stirred.'' Martinis is normally made with gin. But popularity of James Bond made this Vodka Martini a super hit.
3. Babe in Scarlet–
Take 100 ml chilled red wine + 20 ml chilled brandy in Collins glass and add 40 ml chilled lemonade. Stir well and dress it gorgeously.
Doll up your babe the way you want. I prefer to garnish with slice of orange and lemon pierced in cocktail stick.
I do not use expensive wine or brandy for this drink.
4. Screwdriver (White Rum based)
In a shaker take 60 ml Bacardi + 100 ml Orange Juice with cracked ice in a shaker. Shake well and strain and serve in a Highball Glass.
Dress up with a strip of orange peel.
5. Madras Masala
This vodka-based cocktail is well known throughout the world as MADRAS. Take 60 ml Vodka + 60 ml Orange Juice + 60 ml Cranberry Juice in a Highball Glass and mix properly. Dress up with a strip of orange peel.
6. Composer’s IMPERIAL FIZZ
Take, 60 ml Blended Whiskey + 30 ml Lemon Juice + 1 tsp Sugar Syrup in a shaker.
Shake Blended Whiskey, Lemon Juice, and Sugar Syrup in a shaker with crashed ice and strain into a highball glass. May add 2-3 ice cubes. Fill the glass with soda and stir. Serve in Highball Glass with a twist of lemon rind.
7. Her GRASSHOPPER
Shake 60 ml Vodka + 1 tbsp Crème de Menthe (green) + 1 tbsp lemon juice in a shaker with ice cubes and strain into cocktail glass.
Light green color of this drink may even tempt a teetotaler to get spoiled.
8. Professor’s
Take 60 ml Blended Whiskey + 30 ml Dry Vermouth + 60 ml Pineapple Juice in a shaker with crushed ice and shake well. Strain and pour into a cocktail glass.
9. Her Artillery
Take 60 ml Gin + 30 ml Sweet Vermouth + 2 dashes Bitters. Shake all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
Guys, Take Care. Better be wise and don’t get killed.
Commonly used measurements
1 oz (ounce) = 30 ml = 2 tbsp
1 shot = 45 ml = 3 tbsp
1 pint = 600 ml
1 bottle = 750 ml
I used to get confused by the word Dash in recipe books. Dashis commonly used terms for small amounts. There are approximately 36 dashes in 30 ml. For example 2 - 4 dashes indicates that you are seasoning to taste. A splash is larger than a dash, but considered to be less than or equal to one tbsp.
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Lovely Drink and Yummy Bites Can Be Enjoyed If Not Drunk
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Friends, take care and have a nice time.
Happy Diwali
