‘A journey of exploration and deep respect’: 5 Bhutanese cocktail recipes to try

Bhutanese cuisine offers rich flavors and unique ingredients, reflected in their cocktails. Laxman Chhetri from Six Senses Bhutan shares five exciting recipes.

Bhutanese cuisine is famour for rich flavours and extensive use of unlikely ingredients found in the stunning forests and fields of Bhutan. The same idea translates into their cocktails as well. There is nothing plain Jane about their drinks either, which are full of flavour and excitement.

Bhutanese cuisine features rich flavors and unique ingredients, extending to cocktails that are vibrant and exciting. Pictures: Six Senses Bhutan.

Laxman Chhetri, Country F&B Manager, Six Senses Bhutan shares five recipes for delicious cocktails that you must try.

Smoked Blazing Baab Chuu

Ingredients

K5 Whisky – 120 ml

Homemade Pine Syrup – 10 ml

Angostura Bitters – 3 dashes

Nutmeg Powder – light sprinkle

Glassware: Brandy Balloon

Garnish: Orange zest

Method: Flaming

Procedure

Add pine syrup to the glass.

Add Angostura bitters.

Flame the whisky in a jar.

Pour flaming whisky into the glass.

Sprinkle nutmeg powder.

Express orange zest and garnish.

Under The Cloud

Ingredients

Dark Rum (Captain Morgan) – 30 ml

Campari – 20 ml

Southern Comfort – 20 ml

Glassware: Rock Glass

Garnish: Dehydrated betel leaf & burnt cinnamon stick

Method: Stirred

Procedure

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

Stir for 30 seconds.

Strain into a rock glass.

Smoke before serving.

Gaa Za Sour

Ingredients

Camino Gold Tequila – 60 ml

Lime Juice – 30 ml

Apple Shrub – 10 ml

Egg White – 1

Popcorn – small handful (for muddling)

Glassware: Rock Glass

Garnish: Dehydrated orange slice & caramelized popcorn

Method: Muddle & Shake

Procedure

Muddle popcorn in shaker.

Add remaining ingredients.

Dry shake.

Shake again with ice.

Double strain into chilled glass.

Pine Needle Serkim

Ingredients

Pine Needle Tequila – 60 ml

Tamarind Purée – 30 ml

Pine Needle Honey – 25 ml

Cardamom & Star Anise – 3 pcs

Egg White – 1

Glassware: Rock Glass

Garnish: Pine needle powder & star anise

Method: Muddle & Shake

Procedure

Muddle spices with honey.

Add remaining ingredients.

Dry shake, then shake with ice.

Strain, rim with pine powder, float star anise.

Flame of Love

Ingredients

Herbal Liqueur – 30 ml

Cream Liqueur – 30 ml

Misty Peak – 90 ml

Glassware: Martini Glass

Method: Build & Flaming

Procedure

Layer herbal liqueur.

Add cream liqueur gently.

Add Misty Peak.

Ignite top layer (optional)

“Creating these cocktails has been a journey of exploration and deep respect—for both Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. With every infusion, maceration, and hand-picked garnish, we have sought to tell a story of the mountains and forests, of ancient remedies and modern flavors, of warmth shared over a glass,” Laxman Chhetri tell us.