7 Must-Try Cocktails for New Year's Eve

Be it at home or a secluded resort or the most happening party in town, one thing's for sure - you're going to be sipping on something heady when the clock strikes 12 and the calendar changes into a brand new year. So why not make it a truly memorable drink? Rum and coke might be your go-to drink but we think you should try one of these innovative concoctions on December 31.

Mumbai: Pani Puri Pirojka

Where: The Bombay Bronx, Breach Candy

A spicy and flavourful concoction of pani puri juice and vodka, this cocktail will fire up your senses. And if it was street food you were craving along with a New Year high, you'd be achieving both aims with this unique drink. We also like the way it's served in a mason jar, with lots of mint and lime wedges.

Price: Rs. 350

Delhi: Charcoal Martini

Where: Gastronomica Kitchen & Bar, Greater Kailash 1

https://www.facebook.com/gastronomicaindia/photos/a.354576678069152.1073741829.301624706697683/723681234492026/?type=3&theater

Is black your favourite colour and James Bond your alter ego? Then you simply must usher in the New Year by sipping on India's first charcoal martini (or so the restaurant claims) served at South Delhi's Gastronomica Kitchen & Bar. The upscale restaurant has many other innovative cocktails on its menu as well. But the charcoal in their martini is derived from coconut shells - go figure!

Price: Rs. 399 (source: Zomato)

Chennai: Coffee Jar

Where: Secret Society Bar, R. A. Puram

You can't go wrong with coffee and chocolate and with Secret Society Bar's Coffee Jar, you get both, along with generous doses of vodka and fresh cream. We think this is a great choice for those who have room for only one - cocktail or dessert. It's a little expensive but that's why you get your salary at the end of the month, right?

Price: Rs. 450 (source: Zomato)

Kolkata: Soya Chilli - Chinatown Style

Where: Bohemian, Old Ballygunge

https://www.facebook.com/bohemiankolkata/photos/a.702620873169636.1073741827.142736512491411/1228430150588703/?type=3&theater

Yes, that's the name of a cocktail and not your favourite Chinese starter. This one's really for all of you who can't get enough of Chinese food. The dark and mysterious cocktail comes infused with dark rum, soya sauce, vinegar and of course, chillies. And did we mention that you can also get biryani in a glass and a nolen gur-infused dark rum cocktail at this joint owned by Chef Joy Banerjee?

Price: Rs. 219

Bangalore: British Raj

Where: Toast & Tonic, Richmond Road

https://www.facebook.com/toastandtonic/photos/a.1748005365435031.1073741828.1728454920723409/1801702220065345/?type=3&theater

Once you develop a taste for the smoothness of gin, you'll find that there's nothing else quite like it. Toast & Tonic in Bangalore do the best gin cocktails in town. But our pick for New Year's Eve would be British Raj, a glorious melange of gin, pomegranate and cinnamon tonic water, served with rose petal and cucumber ice. Psst...they've now opened an outpost in Mumbai as well.

Price: Rs. 445 (source: Zomato)

Pune: Chai Pani

Where: Farzi Cafe, Kalyani Nagar

https://www.facebook.com/FarziCafePune/photos/a.1163239500408685.1073741828.1104880962911206/1610105795722051/?type=3&theater

The moment we saw that cute kettle, we wanted to try Chai Pani, a well-recommended cocktail at Farzi Cafe. It has the rejuvenating properties of tea with the unexpected potency of vodka. We think it could convert even a non-drinker! You can try the cocktail at Farzi Cafe outlets in Mumbai and Delhi as well.

Hyderabad: Bazooka Joe

Where: News Cafe, Hitech City

This is one of two Indian outlets of the popular South African bar chain. All their cocktails come highly recommended but we think the bubble gum-flavoured Bazooka Joe will add a splash of colour to your New Year festivities.