In what's something short of stellar, Bangalore's cocktail scene has just levelled up to a point of international recognition (hey there Copitas!) and words such as clarified, smoked, infusions, and fermented have become sort of indicators for what's considered good to great cocktails. The current crop of kitchens and bars that have opened up or reinvented themselves in the city are cocktail-forward with mixologists and bartenders putting up a show (literally in some cases) when they are serving the classics, twisted classics, and inventive flavours – think beer syrup, cookie milk punch, and hot toddy. We did what we do best, spoke to some of the city's finest cocktail enthusiasts and connoisseurs and together with some of our favourites, we present to you Bangalore's Best Cocktails (and where to get them!).
Explore Bangalore's Bustling Cocktail Scene With These 12 Bars & Restaurants
Say Cheers To Our Cocktail Enthusiasts And Connoisseurs
We spoke to Abhilash KV, a UX Designer, Chef Candice Lock Mirchandani who owns and runs Chinita and Candice's Gourmet Sandwiches, Dushyant Chillale, a food and travel blogger who goes by the name Butter Theory on Instagram, Geetanjali Chitnis, Chief Brand Officer at Geist Brewing Co., socialite Ila Dorairaj Naidu, food writer and Chief Culinary Officer at LiveAltlife Monika Manchanda, Chef Nayantara Menon Bagla who's also a nutrition coach, Padma B, a marketer, journalist Ruth Dsouza Prabhu, Shivani Unakar, a researcher and food writer, Sreya Vittaldev, an F&B marketing consultant, Swapna Venkatesh, principal consultant at IBM, Chef Taiyaba Ali who's also a Lucknowi food consultant, and Tarini Kumar of Wine In A Million and Wine In Progress.
Spirit Forward
Just a few months old, Spirit Forward is the hottest new bar in Bangalore that's pretty much on everyone's favourite list including nearly everyone we spoke to for this recommendation. Geetanjali, who had visited the space during an event found the space and service 'impeccable, personal and warm' and Tarini also loved the place's vibe.
Abhilash and Shivani mentioned that they make many custom drinks that are not on the menu, so if you have a particular drink in mind, you know what you need to do. Plus, Abhilash believes that they do amazing highballs as well. Oh and according to Swapna and Ila, the 3-Gin Vesper Martini is one of the best in Bangalore (and the country). We take their word for it cause hello who doesn't want a Monkey 47-Tanqueray 10-Greater Than mix meets Short Story vodka concoction with blue cheese stuffed olives.
Most Recommended Cocktail: Southern Star, which Geetanjali loves because it has all her favourite flavours of guava, citrus and plum. Tarini loves it because it hits all the right spots and is tough to stop with just one. Padma mentions for anyone who's not into tequila or mezcal, this is a great gateway cocktail that's light and refreshing. Chef Candice and Shivani both love the fermented plum that the drink features.
Must-Try Cocktails: 3-Gin Vesper Martini, Rage Against The Coffee Machine that features cold brew, cardamom, and a Bacardi Cuatro 4-year old rum, and Palmetto.
LBB Picks: Shio Koji Highball, which Shivani describes as a lush cocktail, and Mil.f & Cookies, which Sreya describes as a dessert in a drink and how it takes you back to your childhood when you used to sneak in Baileys. Irish whisky meets cookie milk punch for a delish drink. Off the menu, try the Pisco Sour according to Shivani.
Copitas
Copitas, is giving Bangalore its international (and national) cocktail-forward recognition with its multitude of awards – #38 and #44 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2023 and 2022 list respectively and #2 on Best Bars India 2022. The rooftop bar is a perfect spot for a drink or two on date nights or when you want to have that much-needed drink with your gang. Our Pro-Tip is to make friends with Jonas Vittur, the head bartender, who will mix concoctions that will elevate your night to a whole new level. Nayantara and Padma recommend The Greener Future menu which features cocktails made from every part of the plant. Nayantara's go-to is the Root drink which features vodka with nannari syrup, lime, and milk while Padma recommends the Fruit, which according to her is a simple yet satisfying gin & black lemon cordial drink. It's light on the palate with just the right amount of sweetness. Abhilash on the other hand prefers his classics and the Diaquiri is what he recommends. It's classic, good, and just works every time.
Most-Recommended Cocktail: Root and Fruit
Must-Try Cocktails: Copa No. 4, a G&T with housemade turmeric syrup, basil, and lime and Paloma
LBB Picks: Bee's Knees, Copa No. 1, and Flower. The Flower is a rum-infused with tamarind, pandan leaves, and blue pea cordial. It's all kinds of yum.
Record Room
When Record Room first opened and we were there for a preview, we quite enjoyed the Popcorn G&T, something which Shivani also recommends for its lush caramel notes making it almost like a dessert cocktail and perfect for ending your evening with. Ruth recommends if you love your tequila, then the bar does some brilliant ones of which she loves the Togarashi Picante because she loves spicy cocktails. This one features Poblani chilli, togarashi, and lime which the togarashi spread across the length of a clay cup. Padma, who says loves her gin and grapefruit combo says the Grapefruit Sour hits the spot always.
Most Recommended Cocktail: Popcorn G&T
Must-Try Cocktails: Pickleback G&T Shivani says is all kinds of pickle-y and briney – her favourite attributes in a cocktail, and Whisky Lavender Highball that Swapna finds so refreshing.
LBB Pick: Golden Sour because Shivani and we agree on the refreshing twist the drink brings on by the Bacardi Oro and passionfruit.
Lupa
We only had good things to say about Manu Chandra's Lupa when we visited the space during the launch. The Lupa-tini and the Notorious F.I.G. are what we enjoyed (we couldn't find them on the menu anymore) but luckily Geetanjali and Ila have you covered. Geetanjali's go-to has been the Paloma, the tequila-based cocktail which features her favourite combination of sweet, sour, and salty notes. Plus it's a refreshing drink too, something Ila also agrees as it's her pick of the cocktails along with Penicillin 02, and Negroni Classic.
Most Recommended Cocktail: Paloma
Must-Try Cocktails: Bacon Old Fashioned, which features bacon fat-washed whiskey
LBB Pick: Chittagong Zest, a G&T with housemade gondhoraj & elderflower shrub
Sanchez
One of the best Mexican restaurants in the city serves the best Margaritas according to Monika. We've had our fair share of the Margaritas over tacos, and we agree. Tarini on the other hand prefers the Sanchez Caipiroska. It's her go-to order and she loves how consistent the drink is – slightly savoury with a hint of sweetness. It features roasted capsicum with plum and cranberry.
Most Recommended Cocktail: Margarita
Must-Try Cocktails: Sanchez Caipiroska
LBB Pick: Crouching Tiger
Geist Brewing Co. Rajajinagar
One of the two Geist Brewing Co. that serves cocktails along with their craft beer is the Rajajinagar one (the other being the Hennur one) and we've had the pleasure of trying out their new menu. We had the sober version of their Kadubu Lassi and took a sip of the Siam Sweet Curry, and enjoyed them both. For Ruth, it's the Dunkeltini of the house concoctions that get her thumbs up. The drink features Geist Unkle Dunkle beer syrup with filter coffee and dark rum. All great flavours according to her.
Must-Try Cocktails: Kadubu Lassi and Siam Sweet Curry. The Siam Sweet Curry is Thai Curry meets buttermilk meets alcohol. Packs a nice kick.
LBB Pick: Temptations, the house's take on Cadbury's Temptations featuring chocolate dark rum, raisin syrup, and Geist Witty Wit syrup.
ZLB23
The Kyoto-themed speakeasy inside The Leela Palace is one of those nearly hidden gems of the city and we remember on our visit being drawn towards the vibe and decor of the place that we made it a point to visit again. Chef Candice and Ila both recommend the Japanese Old Fashioned that features Angostura bitters, Japanese whisky, and homemade fennel syrup. While you are grooving to the live jazz performances that happen here frequently, it's one of those drinks that just sets the mood for the night.
Most Recommended: Japanese Old Fashioned
Must-Try Cocktails: Bootlegger according to Ila
LBB Picks: Another of Ila's picks, the Shiso Negroni
Muro
The new kid of the block is a hit with us for their Thai small plates and the drinks. On the numerous occasions we've been here, we've had the Heat Of The Moment. A drink that Nayantara also recommends. The drama-laden drink features a flammable steel wool that they light on fire for the 'heat' element but the actual heat of this punchy tequila-based drink comes from the Naga chilli. The Good Apple which has a tart floral flavour brought on by yuzu, green apple, and jasmine is another drink we quite enjoyed.
Most Recommended Cocktail: Heat Of The Moment
Must-Try Cocktails: Reverse Breakfast, Paloma, The Good Apple, and Corpse Reviver No. 4
LBB Picks: Martinez, Southside, and Best Of Both Worlds
Roxie
Roxie, which is touted to be India's first and largest craft house, is one of those places in the Bellandur-Sarjapur area that we go to for a good cocktail. Our pick is the Camomillia, a gin-based drink with chamomile and notes of basil, mint, and lime. Potent and perfect for any occasion. The Solution, a tequila-based spicy drink with notes of jalapenos, thyme, and passion fruit helps you pick up your pace when you are with friends and enjoying yourself.
Most Recommended Cocktail: Camomillia
Must-Try Cocktails: Cold Brew Old Fashioned, and Rubino
LBB Picks: The Solution, and Golden Paparazzi
Jamming Goat 3.0
When we recently visited the newly opened Indiranagar outpost of Jamming Goat 3.0, we were told that no one goes beyond the first page of the cocktail menu because it's just that good. Dushyanth agrees with the statement because he calls the cocktail menu 'quite extraordinary', with a lot of innovation behind the scenes in crafting the cocktail menu. We agree on the fact that the mixologists know their drinks. One of the drinks that Dushyanth recommends is the K.G.F, a refreshing gin-based drink with kaffir lime, and fresh tender coconut water. Has a coconut-y flavour with notes of citrus.
Most Recommended Cocktail: K.G.F and Not A G&T
Must-Try Cocktail: Problem Dog, another of Dushyanth's picks. The gin-based drink has clarified coffee with banana for a smooth finish
LBB Picks: Sudden Orgasm, their take on Sangria with aromatics, orange, spices, and strawberries
13th Floor
We love watching the sunset here with a cool cocktail in hand. Something wit Taiyaba also agrees with. She loves that windy terrace view. She recommends the Hot Toddy, a drink that gives a nice comfortable buzz. Our favourite has been the Malabar Martini, a gin-based drink shaken with coconut water, curry leaves and Thalassery peppers which is no longer on the menu.
Must-Try Cocktail: Hot Toddy and Kuppamudi Estate Espresso Martini, made using the coffee from the brand's coffee estate
LBB Picks: Raspberry Rosso, and the 13th Floor Mojito.
Make A Note Of These Places Too
Asian Day Dream At Daysie All Day Casual Bar as recommended by Ruth
G&T at Toast & Tonic as recommended by Monika
Name Dropper at Sly Granny at Forum Rex Walk, Brigade Road as recommended by Geetanjali
Chocolate Martini and Classic Margarita at Olive Beach as recommended by Ila
Mangrove Sour at Traveller's Bungalow as recommended by Sreya
Reservoire Smoker at The Reservoire as recommended by Sreya
All the classics at The Polo Club at The Oberoi as recommended by Swapna
Not A Goat at Soka as recommended by Swapna
LBB Recommends:
Collective Quaff at one8 Commune
Yuzu Negroni at Foo
Wonderland and Raspberry Foam at The Drawing Room
Manga Mule and Rum Cha at Monkey Bar
Grapefruit Paloma and Green Sunshine at Mirage
