Unexpected Elegance: Inventive Cocktail And Food Pairings At India’s Finest Tables

Step beyond conventional dining into an experience where mixology and cuisine speak in perfect concert. From inventive mixology that surprises the senses to culinary creations that elevate every flavour, this is a curated journey for the modern diner who seeks more than just a meal. It is an invitation to savour harmony, creativity, and sophistication at India’s finest tables.

Sly Granny

Location: Khan Market, Delhi

What to try: Rochelle + Sundried tomatoes & Spinach Ravioli

At Sly Granny in Khan Market, old-world charm meets playful sophistication. Amid vintage décor and an inviting, lived-in warmth, the pairing of the Rochelle cocktail with the sundried tomato and spinach ravioli creates a gentle dialogue of contrasts. The lightness of the drink lifts the creamy, earthy notes of the pasta, while the sun-dried tomato adds a gentle tang that ties everything together. It’s a simple but well-matched combination that is as graceful as it is comforting.

Muro India

Location: Museum Road, Bengaluru

What to try: Stick Around + Saraburi Chicken Puffs

Muro’s relaxed modern setting, with its lush outdoor seating and laid-back refinement, perfectly mirrors the balance in its signature pairing: the Stick Around cocktail with Saraburi Chicken Puffs. The cocktail, a blend of Bacardi Oro, coconut, and oleo citrate crowned with warm mango and sticky rice foam, toys with contrasts of temperature and texture. Flaky and golden, the Saraburi Chicken Puffs bring a savoury counterpoint to the sweet and creamy cocktail. Together, they create a tasting experience that lingers beautifully on the palate.

Copitas

Location: Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE

What to try: Curry leaf + Spicy Tempura Maki

Set within the Four Seasons Hotel, Copitas is known for its elegant simplicity and precision. The Curry Leaf cocktail, infused with roasted peanuts, almonds, orange liqueur, and aged Puerto Rican rum, is an aromatic homage to spice and smoothness. Paired with the Spicy Tempura Maki, the roll’s gentle heat and crunch enhance the cocktail’s layered flavour. The maki’s subtle heat enhances the cocktail’s complexity, creating a pairing that might make you go for more.

Ekaa

Location: Fort, Mumbai

What to try: Triphala + Hiyashi Chuka

Ekaa’s philosophy, that an ingredient in its purest form holds infinite potential, finds beautiful expression in the pairing of Triphala and Hiyashi Chuka. The Triphala cocktail turns the traditional Ayurvedic blend into a refined experience, its whisky base deepened by roselle tea and a touch of coffee. The Hiyashi Chuka, a Japanese summer salad of black rock crab, handmade noodles, in-house kimchi, and cucumber broth, adds texture and is refreshing. Together, they capture Ekaa’s spirit: intuitive, bold, and quietly emotional.

Whisky Samba

Location: Two Horizon Center, Gurugram

What to try: Coldwired + Rose Milk Cake

Whisky Samba’s striking bar, a fifty-foot expanse of amber-lit bottles, sets the stage for indulgence that borders on art. Among its inventive creations, the Coldwired cocktail, which is a mix of Hoegaarden wheat beer, Coorg coffee cold brew, orange juice, and almond syrup, offers a bold, smooth base with hints of citrus and roast. Paired with the rose milk cake, which softens its intensity with the floral sweetness, creating a lingering balance between strong notes and elegance, much like the space itself.

For the final pour!

Across India’s evolving dining scene, these pairings show how food and drink can work together rather than stand apart. Each combination brings its own rhythm: creamy meeting tangy, warm meeting chilled, and sweet meeting savoury. Whether it’s a comforting pairing or something unexpected, the magic lies in how one enhances the other, turning a good meal into a complete experience.