Mumbai food: Beat the October heat with these gulkand-laced treats

As Mumbai wilts under the merciless October heat, cool off with these innovative gulkand-laced treats

Khaike paan...

A sip of Benarasi Rum may just get you in the mood to groove to the popular number from Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Don. The zingy drink infuses paan ingredients like tutti frutti, fennel and mouth-freshening mukhwas along with gulkand and ice, garnished with betel leaf.
At All The Bar Stock Exchange outlets. Cost '350
Call 69409900 (Bandra)

Muffin tales

Who knew even a muffin could be stuffed with rose petals? A burst of heavenly sweet, caramel-like sticky flavours will greet your palAte when you take a bite of the Gulkand Muffin.

Time 12 pm to 12 am At Genuine Broaster Chicken, TirupAti Tower, 7 Bungalows, Andheri (W).
Cost '159 Call 26399964

Crêpe affair

If you’re bored of regular crêpes, order a heavenly version stuffed with gajar ka halva, steamed in banana leaf and served with gulkand ice cream. Just what the doctor ordered, right?

Time 12 pm onwards At The Sassy Spoon, Nariman Point and Bandra (available on order). Cost '325
Call 26444777 (Bandra)

Laila o Laila

Here’s a Friday night plan. Dance to peppy beats in the company of Laila — a fizzy, potent concoction with house-made gulkand and mawa vodka. The alcohol is steeped in the rose petal mix overnight to infuse a sweeter flavour, lovely pink colour and texture to the drink.

Time 6.30 pm onwards
At True Tramm Trunk, VL Mehta Road, Juhu. Cost '350
Call 7738993360

Benarasi bun maska

If you need respite from the afternoon sun, drop in At any of the Chai Pe Charcha outlets to dig into Gulkand Bun Maska that uses the rose petal mix and butter as a spread between its buns.

Time 9 am to 9 pm At Lower Parel, Prabhadevi, Fort and Andheri (W).
Cost '45 Call 39698086 (Lower Parel)

Bite into a cigar

Stuffed with dark chocolAte ganache and rose gulkand, the cigars are fried until golden brown and served piping hot with mango candy, chocolAte sauce or icing sugar. ’Nuff said.

At Four Points by SherAton, Plot No 39/1, Sector 30A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
Cost '360 Callâu00c2u0080u00c2u008861587777

What is gulkand?
It’s a jam-like preserve comprising crushed rose petals and sugar. “Rose petals are a nAtural coolant. Hence, gulkand is known to possess anti-bacterial and anti-inflammAtory properties thAt provide relief from ulcers, acidity and digestion problems,” informs dietician Khushboo Sahijwani Matta. (in pic).

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