Oktoberfest 2021: Purists may scoff but Mumbai mixologists say beer works great in cocktails

Oktoberfest, the month-long festival of beer, is being celebrated all over Germany. Several microbreweries and pubs across Mumbai have joined the bandwagon too, serving up classics and special seasonal brews. Going to Germany or scrambling for a table in local establishments is difficult in the current climate, so it may be a good time to celebrate at home with food, drink, friends and family.

Why opt for a regular beer when you have the opportunity to experiment? Feel like a mixologist by giving a twist to the chilled drink - make delicious cocktails using plain old beer. This may be a little unorthodox for beer loyalists but Oktoberfest should encourage even purists to let their hair down and try something new.

The High Tide is a beer cocktail made from gin, craft beer and strawberry puree. Photo: The St Regis Mumbai

High Tide by The St Regis Mumbai, Lower Parel
For many, drinking beer is an unadulterated experience. The idea of turning it into a cocktail is a cardinal sin but Kailash Kamble, bar operations manager at The St Regis Mumbai, believes otherwise. He swears by High Tide, a beer cocktail made from gin, craft beer and strawberry puree. "It is a delicious concoction of smooth gin, house made strawberry puree and can be topped with your choice of craft beer," he explains.

Ingredients:
Gin - 45 ml, strawberry puree - 30 ml, aquafaba - 20 ml, craft beer of choice, strawberry slice - garnish.
Method:
1. Take a mixing jar, add all the ingredients together and shake well.
2. Double strain it into an old-fashioned glass on an ice mould.
3. Top it up with your choice of craft beer.
4. Garnish it with a slice of strawberry.


Sherine John, corporate beverage manager at Trèsind Mumbai says beer adds body, bubbles and a frothy kick to cocktails. Photo: Trèsind Mumbai

Beat The Heat by Trèsind Mumbai, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East)
A true believer in making the most out of beer, Sherine John, corporate beverage manager at Trèsind Mumbai explains, "Beer does not have to be a solo act, instead think of what else you might do with that crisp, tasty ale or lager. Beer adds body, bubbles and a frothy kick to cocktails." She recommends mixing it up for a margarita, which is served by them all summer but with the October heat kicking in, isn't this just the perfect time?

Ingredients:
Silver tequila - 45 ml, triple sec (orange liqueur) - 15 ml, passion fruit puree - 30 ml, passionfruit syrup/sugar syrup - 15 ml, lime juice - 20 ml, lager beer - 330 ml.

Method:
1. In a blender, add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, passion fruit puree, passionfruit syrup and blend well.
2. Add ice and blend until the ice is crushed and the ingredients are well combined into a slushy consistency.
3. Pour the mixture from the blender into a beer mug and top it up with a light refreshing lager beer.
4. Slice a passionfruit down the middle and place on top of the beer mug to finish off this drink.

Elephant and Co. gives a twist to the classic margarita by combining it with a lager. Photo: Elephant and Co.

ECO LageRita by Elephant and Co., Kalyani Nagar, Pune
Elephant and Co. gives a twist to the classic margarita. The founder Karan Khilnani says the pub combines a deliciously crisp in-house lager to make a LageRita. This may just be the choice for those who can't decide between a chilled beer and a cocktail.

Ingredients:
Patron silver tequila - 45 ml, Fresh lime juice - 20 ml, triple sec - 25 ml, ECO Brewing Company Icy Mamba Lager (can be replaced with another light crisp lager) - 120 ml.

Method:
1. Combine the tequila, lime and triple sec and shake well with ice.
2. Strain into an ice-filled glass.
3. Fill up the glass with the lager.
3. Serve with a dehydrated orange or an orange slice as a garnish.


The Ginger Lemon Radler beer cocktail at Gateway Taproom is a no-fuss recipe, which uses easily available ingredients. Photo: Gateway Taproom

Ginger Lemon Radler by Gateway Taproom, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East)
For diet conscious drinkers who are currently on a detox, the Ginger Lemon Radler may be the perfect cocktail to experiment with. The Gateway Taproom in BKC serves a version of it that features classic Indian detoxing agents. The no-fuss recipe can be made at home with easily available ingredients.

Ingredients:
Wheat Beer (White Zen) - 250 ml, Ginger and lime juice - 10 ml, Sprite - 60 ml.

Method:
1. Make a crushed ginger and lime juice mix.
2. Pour the mixture into a glass and add the Wheat beer or any beer to it.
3. Top it up with Sprite, stir and serve.

While beer with margaritas are popular, city-based mixologist Dushyant Tanwar experiments with the Mexican beer cocktail Michelada. Photo: Monika Enterprises

Dressed Michelada by Monika Enterprises, Andheri West
Mixologist Dushyant Tanwar, the cocktail expert at Monika Enterprises, a city-based liquor business, has tried his hands at a variety of cocktails including a margarita and michelada. While margaritas are a crowd favourite, we suggest the michelada, which is a lesser known Mexican cocktail that uses beer and tequila and can be an interesting choice for those who are bored of the classic cocktails.

Ingredients:
Jose Cuervo Especial Silver tequila - 60 ml, Cholula hot sauce - 15 ml, lime juice - 22.5 ml, orange liqueur - 30 ml, lager beer - 45 ml, lime wedge

Method:
1. In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime, Cholula, and orange liqueur.
2. Shake the mixture well.
2. Strain into a pint glass filled with ice and top with lager and garnish with a lime wedge.

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