From mango chilli to jamun ginger: 4 bold mocktails bringing Indian flavours to the beverage scene

Try these bold Indian-inspired drinks this season to impress your friends, family, and guests.

As modern diners increasingly seek sophisticated, refreshing and alcohol-free beverage options, mocktails are evolving from simple soft-drink alternatives into creative culinary experiences. Shared by Naveen Kandhol, Mixologist at Urban Italia, these mocktails showcase how innovative ingredients and contemporary presentation are reshaping India’s modern beverage culture.

1. Mango chilli fizz

The growing demand for bold, tropical flavours has made mango-based beverages a favourite among modern diners. Mango Chilli Fizz combines ripe mango with citrus, spice and sparkling water for a refreshing mocktail with a balanced sweet-and-spicy finish.

Mango Chilli Fizz combines ripe mango with citrus, spice and sparkling water for a refreshing mocktail with a balanced sweet-and-spicy finish.

Ingredients:

20 ml fresh lime juice

10 ml honey syrup

2–3 slices fresh red chilli

90 ml chilled soda water

Ice

Mango slice

Chilli for garnish

Method:

Muddle the chilli gently with lime juice and honey syrup in a shaker. Add mango purée and ice, then shake well. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a mango slice and a small chilli.

2. Rosemary citrus cooler

Botanical flavours and fresh citrus are increasingly popular in sophisticated non- alcoholic drinks. Rosemary Citrus Cooler brings together orange, lemon and rosemary to create an aromatic beverage that feels elegant yet refreshing.

Rosemary Citrus Cooler brings together orange, lemon and rosemary to create an aromatic beverage that feels elegant yet refreshing.

Ingredients:

40 ml fresh orange juice

20 ml fresh lemon juice

15 ml rosemary syrup

60 ml sparkling water

30 ml tonic water

Ice

Rosemary sprig and orange wheel

Method:

Add orange juice, lemon juice, rosemary syrup and ice to a shaker. Shake briefly and strain into a chilled wine glass. Add fresh ice, top with sparkling water and tonic, and garnish with rosemary and an orange wheel.

3. Cucumber mint smash

Cucumber and mint continue to appeal to diners looking for lighter, cleaner and naturally refreshing beverages. This mocktail combines crisp cucumber, aromatic mint and lime with a touch of sweetness.

Cucumber and mint continue to appeal to diners looking for lighter, cleaner and naturally refreshing beverages.

Ingredients:

5–6 cucumber slices

8–10 fresh mint leaves

25 ml fresh lime juice

15 ml sugar syrup

80 ml soda water

Ice

Cucumber ribbon and mint sprig for garnish

Method:

Muddle cucumber, mint, lime juice and sugar syrup gently in a shaker. Add ice and shake thoroughly. Double strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a cucumber ribbon and mint.

4. Jamun ginger sparkler

Indian ingredients are increasingly being used to create distinctive modern beverages, and jamun offers a naturally tart, fruity character that works beautifully in mocktails. Combined with ginger and lime, it creates a sophisticated drink with a distinctly Indian identity.

Combined with ginger and lime, it creates a sophisticated drink with a distinctly Indian identity.

Ingredients:

50 ml fresh jamun pulp

20 ml lime juice

15 ml ginger syrup

60 ml sparkling water

30 ml ginger ale

Ice

Jamun and mint for garnish

Method:

Combine jamun pulp, lime juice and ginger syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top with sparkling water and ginger ale. Garnish with fresh jamun and mint.