Colour me fancy: Holi party drinks, rehashed

As Holi is just round the corner, falling on Monday, here’s how you can ring in the festivities on a high note. If you plan to play host to a Holi party, here are some easy to make, quirky drinks to raise a toast with.

FRUITY FLAVOURS, POR FAVOR

Start your Holi celebrations with a fruity punch. Easy to make and light on stomach, Vodka-Mango Lassi is best to flag-off the party. Challenge your guests with a round of bottom’s up of this tall glass of earthy Indian traditional drink. Peel and dice some fresh mangoes and blend with some sugar syrup, yogh=urt and vodka. You can also use other fruits like strawberries and peaches.

PAAN SHOTS

A refreshing spring drink, paan shots — bursting with flavours — is a Holi favourite. Make a purée or paste of some betel leaves. Mix this paste with almond milk, add few drops of rose essence and give it a good shake. Pour in shot glasses rimmed with some gulkand.

COLOUR CODED BUNTAS

For the teetotalers, here is a spritzy drink. The humble bunta can be served in a variety of flavours. Just add some fruit syrups to a bottle of lime soda and see the colours come alive.

DECONSTRUCTED CHAM CHAM

Recreate the flavours of Cham Cham in this cocktail. Made with dark and white rum, coconut liqueur and chocolate syrup, this drink lends a quirky touch to the traditional sweet. Give all the ingredients a good shake in a shaker and serve in hollowed out coconuts.

PARTY SHAKES

No Holi party is complete without having a free-flowing supply of thandai. It is the traditional welcome party drink for Holi, and can be made with or without alcohol. Blend some milk with readily available thandai mix, pour in a tall glass and garnish with chopped almonds. You can also play around with summer flavours like pineapple, khus khus and vanilla.

PHOTOS: ISTOCK (Clockwise): Give the bunta a twist with fruit syrups; use quirky glasses to serve milkshakes, thandais and lassis; co conut shells are perfect to recreate a beachy vibe

PHOTO: AMAL KS/HT