Quick answer
Five festive drinks to try are a Kiwi Mojito with Swa Mojito Mint syrup, Masala Mulled Wine with Summer Berries, a zero-proof Desi Dutch Mule with Lemon Ginger Naariyal Paani, a Spiced Pina Colada with Pineapple Bird's Eye Chilli, and a Guava Chilli cocktail with gin or white rum.
From Diwali to Christmas and the New Year, the festive season fills the house. Drinks deserve the same thought as the food. Here are five recipes, with stay-sober options included.
How do you make a Kiwi Mojito?
Add festive fruit to a classic. You need:
- Kiwi: peel, dice and muddle flat
- Lime: squeeze the juice, or muddle small pieces with mint
- Swa Mojito Mint syrup for the classic mojito flavour
- White rum (skip it for a mocktail)
- Club soda
How do you make a Masala Mulled Wine?
Pour red wine (white works too) into a thick-bottomed pan over low heat. Add sliced orange, lemon and apple. Add star anise, a few cardamom pods, a couple of cloves, one or two cinnamon sticks, a pinch of grated nutmeg and a bay leaf. Add SWA Summer Berries syrup to taste, and honey if you like, though it is optional.
Keep the flame low and do not boil, or the alcohol disappears. It is ready when the spice fragrance hits you. Let it cool to a warm drinking temperature and serve in kulhads.
What is a Desi Dutch Mule?
A virgin, desi version for everyone, including kids. Use SWA Lemon Ginger Naariyal Paani, ginger ale, ice and soda water to balance the ginger, a squeeze of lemon and a few mint leaves, with a lemon wedge. A classic Dutch Mule with vodka is in the recipe library.
How do you make a Spiced Pina Colada?
Fire up the blender with three ingredients: cream of coconut (light or dense, which makes it thicker), SWA Pineapple Bird's Eye Chilli syrup, and lots of ice, since pina colada is a frozen drink. The syrup already contains lemon juice, so skip the lemon or squeeze half a lemon for more flavour. Make it virgin, or add white rum.
What goes into a Guava Chilli Cocktail?
Use SWA Guava Chilli syrup, soda or sparkling water to let the flavour shine, generous ice, and gin or white rum. Vodka works as well.
How do you plan the drinks for a festive evening?
Pick one drink from each group. Start with a refreshing option such as the Kiwi Mojito or the Guava Chilli cocktail, add a warm drink such as the Masala Mulled Wine for cold evenings, and always include a zero-proof option like the Desi Dutch Mule so that everyone has something special in hand. The Spiced Pina Colada works as a showpiece for a card game or Diwali party.
Order your flavours ahead of the festivities so you are not hunting for ingredients at the last minute. Browse the full flavour range before you finalise the list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make the Kiwi Mojito without alcohol?
Yes. Leave out the white rum and keep kiwi, lime, mint, Swa Mojito Mint syrup and club soda for a mocktail.
Why not boil mulled wine?
Boiling makes the alcohol disappear. Keep the flame low and heat until the spice fragrance rises.
Which festive drink is zero-proof?
The Desi Dutch Mule uses Lemon Ginger Naariyal Paani syrup, ginger ale, ice, soda, lemon and mint, and contains no alcohol.
Which spirit goes with Guava Chilli?
Gin or white rum pair well with Guava Chilli syrup. You can also use vodka.
Can the Pina Colada be made virgin?
Yes. Blend cream of coconut, Pineapple Bird's Eye Chilli syrup and ice. Add white rum only if you want it spiked.
Swa Artisanal Syrups is made in Bangalore by a team of women who believe Indian flavours deserve a place behind every bar and coffee counter. From Kokam off the Konkan coast to Nannari from Tamil Nadu, every syrup is preservative-free, naturally made, and built for the craft professional. Swa works with cafes, bars, restaurants, and hotels across India.
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