Mumbai is known for its lively nightlife and is popular around the country for its wide variety of food and drinks. Like the city, the cocktails of Mumbai have a flavour of their own. While we all love our straight-up hard liquors, a night out is incomplete without sipping on some of those lovely concoctions that not only taste like heaven’s ambrosia but also hit that buzz spot oh so subtly. So, to make it simple for you, we have curated a list of the top 6 restaurants and bars where you can enjoy some of the best cocktails in Mumbai.
India’s first speakeasy cocktail bar in Delhi opened its doors for Mumbaikars last year. The bar has a unique concept, translated right through its name. It is not like every other bar where you can just plan up and head over. To enter PCO, guests need a secret passcode and it changes every week. The new codes are forwarded to a list of regular patrons. While PCO does offer a tight selection of zippy cocktails to choose from, for those who land up at the bar feeling a bit adventurous, their cocktail menu is perfect to experiment with. Based on your spirit of choice and frame of mind, pick from cocktails such as the Jungle Bird (L) or Apple Pie Vieux Carre (R), with Apple liqueur, Amaro, Brandy, Cranberry and Vermouth bitters to give a wonderful depth to your drink. As a toast to the prohibition, the bar stocks an impressive American whisky collection, but is also keen to showcase India’s homegrown spirits.
Must-haves: Elderflower Spritzer, Yazu Sour, Into The Barrel, Beetroot Carpaccio, Goan Chorizo Pizza
Ekaa, meaning 'One’, ‘Unique’ or ‘Matchless’, is the inception of interpreted cuisine inspired by ingredients, people and cultures. Just like their food, Ekaa takes its alcohol very seriously too. If you are not down for their tasting menu, you can walk up to their bar and be totally surprised by what you’ve been served. Ekaa’s cocktails use ingredients foraged from India’s diverse ecosystems like Abscission (L) which means the natural detachment of parts of a plant is inspired by the dry wilting season of the Tropical deciduous forest ecosystem of India. This handcrafted cocktail is made with a herbal leaf liqueur of Neem, Kaffir, Pandan, Betel and Bok Choy with indigenous Gin. Served with a garnish of an in-house brushed skeletal sacred fig leaf to represent the wilted leaves shed during the dry season of this ecosystem. Mirage (R), inspired by the freshwater eco-system of India, this cocktail is made using Dahashamani- meaning thirst quencher, that is sourced from rural Kerala. Served with a Coconut sprout garnish, Mirage is a concoction made with indigenous Gin and infused waters of Stone flower (Dhagad phool) and Jasmine.
The bar, a great place to hang out at The Bombay Canteen, has a unique selection of reimagined classic cocktails with firm Indian roots. The cocktail program pays tribute to the untold stories of Mumbai and each edition of the bar menu takes on a unique design to bring the story to life. A well-made Sour can truly make your day! The perfect balance of flavour, spirit and texture, the latest and newest Sour on the menu ticks all the boxes. The Gin & Tulsi Sour (L) is made with a house-made Jaggery syrup, muddled Basil, Lime and Gin with Egg white giving it that wonderful mouthfeel. While they discover new flavors, they also love the familiar ones and every cocktail book has a drink that ends up becoming a favorite. In the last cocktail book of People of the Promenade, it was their Hair of the Dog (R). Like their four-legged friends, The Hair of The Dog Cocktail has a loud bark and a bit of a bite, a few sips in and it’s sure to be your best friend. Made with Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky, Green Apple and Clarified Milk with a toasted Sesame and Jaggery Disk for that cocktail crunch.
London Taxi is famous for serving some of the best cocktails in Mumbai with good, loud music, an amazing bar with skilled bartenders and an unmatched aura. The interiors really transport you to the British capital when you see the custom-made, taxi-shaped tiles and the colorful pipe that runs across the ceiling, to form a map of the London Underground. While you’re here, sip on their yummy cocktails like the Sherlock In A Pickle, based on the favourite drink of Sherlock Holmes with Earl Grey infused Vodka, in-house Beetroot wine reduction, Rose syrup, fresh sweet lime juice and pickled Gherkins over crushed ice and Orange and Kaffir Lime Gin & Tonic, both are served in a quirky way.
Must-haves: Philly Truffle Cheese wontons, Tadka Hummus, Avocado Toast with Tamari Mushroom and SAGA
The Socials chain is quite a famous one throughout India - and in Mumbai, it’s one of the favorite spots for all millennials. Those looking for a chill time to unwind, or even those looking for a little bit of loud music and pub vibes usually find themselves at various Social locations across Mumbai. From young adults to an older generation - Socials is a place that caters to everyone. When it comes to drinks at Social is their iconic Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT). The iconic Social LIITs are known for their array of flavors, and of course, their overly large test tube containers in which they are served. When you enter any of the Social branches, you’re bound to spot at least 5-6 tables with a range of different flavored LIITS.
Must-haves: Poutine, Death Wings, Tikka Tacos, Berry Sharabi and Wick Jaggery
Whether you’re looking for beer or cocktails, Woodside Inn serves them with surprising consistency–as it does with its bar bites. The music is always retro and the vibe is ever so chill. Woodside Inn is where you go with friends or on a date or to bid farewell to colleagues and you’ll be surprised at how this bar manages to become the perfect venue for all these occasions. With black and white photographs adorning their walls, high bar stools lining the vintage stylized bar corner, and wooden furniture from floor to ceiling, Woodside Inn is a good place to relax. Do not forget to try out the Frozen Campari Lemonade (L) and Fresh Mandarin & Grape Twist (R) with a perfect blend of Gin, fresh mandarin Oranges, Mint & Grape juice and you won’t be disappointed.
