In a city known for its culinary innovation, Ishaara is set to redefine the cocktail landscape with the launch of Rasa, an ambitious bar takeover series that promises to transport guests through India's rich tapestry of flavors, unveiling the Essence of India, one ingredient at a time.
Rasa is a celebration of India's botanical diversity. This ingredient-forward initiative doesn't merely spotlight common elements; it delves deep into the annals of Indian culinary history to unearth forgotten, lesser-known, and regionally specific ingredients & present them through carefully curated cocktails — each narrating a story of origin, cultural significance, and modern reimagination.
For its first festive bar takeover, Rasa collaborates with renowned culinary curator, Nikhil Merchant, to celebrate Diwali and the rich harvest traditions. Nikhil, celebrated for his creative approach to flavor and ingredient stories, will take over the bar at Ishaara with a stunning, Diwali-inspired cocktail menu. The festive season will be embraced through a series of thoughtfully crafted drinks, combining traditional ingredients with modern techniques, making it a celebration of India's natural bounty & will be available from 19 October till mid November.
Diwali is a celebration of light, prosperity, and the harvest," says Nikhil Merchant. "What better way to honor this than by elevating everyday ingredients like milk, rice, and sugarcane to cocktail prominence? These are elements deeply ingrained in Indian culture, yet rarely seen in high-end mixology & that’s exactly the narrative we are attempting to change”.
The ingredients are carefully sourced from various regions across the country, featuring rice from TripleOOO, coffee from Silk Road, and nutmeg from Planters Treasure.
The Special Diwali Menu Includes:
Golden Silk – Milk: A smooth, clarified bourbon cocktail infused with spices and a delicate hint of saffron, that challenges perceptions of how milk can be used in adult beverages, transforming it into a smooth, sophisticated drink
Tequila Toast – Rice: A bold mix of toasted rice tequila, tamarind, and chili heat for a refreshing twist — this is cross-cultural exploration in a glass..
Sunset Cane – Sugarcane: A tangy blend of toasted rice tequila and tamarind, elevated by sugarcane’s sweetness.
Midnight Brew – Coffee: A spirited fusion of vodka, espresso, sweet jaggery, and nutmeg spice.
For those abstaining, the Rose Whisper-Rice offers a non-alcoholic journey through Indian flavors, combining toasted rice sherbet with rose and fennel—a symphony of aromas reminiscent of traditional Indian desserts.
"With Rasa, we're inviting our guests to explore India through their palates. Every sip is an opportunity to connect with our rich heritage and experience familiar ingredients in entirely new contexts. We want our guests to leave not just with satisfied palates, but with a renewed appreciation for the complexity and richness of Indian ingredients," explains Prashant Issar, Director, Bellona Hospitality Services Limited.
While the inaugural event focuses on Diwali and harvest themes, future editions of Rasa promise to explore other facets of Indian culture and cuisine, each bringing their unique perspective and local ingredients to the forefront.
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