Columns

Believe and you shall make it happen!

Believe and you shall make it happen!

As we come to the end of yet another year, we tend to ponder on the year gone by, ret... Read More
Five elements of a perfect whiskey blend

Five elements of a perfect whiskey blend

Ah, whiskey, the one elixir that has inspired countless tales of joy, camaraderie, an... Read More
The power of the ‘Inner You’

The power of the ‘Inner You’

Taking from one of the many brilliant quotes of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama: “... Read More
What’s in a name, you ask?

What’s in a name, you ask?

There are those who believe that a name has no meaning. Shakespeare’s Juliet th... Read More
Let generosity flow in winter

Let generosity flow in winter

It is winter once more, which means three months of amazing weather for some, super c... Read More
Improved wine-making with fruits

Improved wine-making with fruits

If we look at wine-making it is mostly made with different varieties of grapes. Over... Read More
What’s in a garnish?

What’s in a garnish?

Those who have learnt from me will tell you that I have a thing for garnishes. They w... Read More
Collaboration: a spirited way forward!

Collaboration: a spirited way forward!

In the 50th year of India’s independence, I woke up to the realisation that the... Read More
When it rains, it pours!

When it rains, it pours!

It has been a really hot summer this year. And I’m so wishing for the thunderst... Read More
Mixers have hustled up drinking joy

Mixers have hustled up drinking joy

The one thing you’d like to change about the Indian market? The taboo around th... Read More
The Quaich and Scotland: Through my looking glass!

The Quaich and Scotland: Through my looking glass!

My journey began with an e-mail from Evonne Eadie, National Reserve Brand Ambassador... Read More
‘Holi Hai’ with rum! ‘Thandai’ with jalebi!!

‘Holi Hai’ with rum! ‘Thandai’ with jalebi!!

People often ask me how I create new cocktails. What is my inspiration, and how many... Read More
A toast to our pioneers, entrepreneurs!

A toast to our pioneers, entrepreneurs!

As the year draws to an end, I am filled with hope. It’s only November and I ca... Read More
The rise of the Old Fashioned

The rise of the Old Fashioned

In certain ways I’m old fashioned; and proud to be so. I respect tradition, his... Read More
How to connect with your students

How to connect with your students

It was not something I had planned to do: Teaching. I was this hard-core, on-the-floo... Read More
Ashwin Deo: model worthy of emulation

Ashwin Deo: model worthy of emulation

I remember meeting Ashwin Deo for the first time at a wine dinner organised by Sanjay... Read More
Why do beer-makers need podcasts?

Why do beer-makers need podcasts?

Hey Babuuus, this is Chatty from Cheers Chatty, India’s first and only beer pod... Read More
The red wine Enthusiast

The red wine Enthusiast

Samsung or iPhone? Does your watch give better time than mine? Is the little band on... Read More
The Martini is always right!

The Martini is always right!

There are two kinds of people who order a Martini: Those in the know and ones that ar... Read More
Heralding the message, neat-ly

Heralding the message, neat-ly

The more intriguing the design, the more audience it will attract. A great design mak... Read More
A great bar calls for logic!

A great bar calls for logic!

For every move on the bar – from the way the glasses and bottles are arranged t... Read More
Genius of Mixology

Genius of Mixology

In all the years spent bartending and being around bartenders I’ve come to the... Read More
Retro-Futurism in packaging

Retro-Futurism in packaging

With every year comes a new opportunity for designers to push their limits and set ex... Read More
Age is still a bar for drinking in Delhi

Age is still a bar for drinking in Delhi

With alcohol being a subject in the State List under the 7th Schedule of the Constitu... Read More
Telling apart a brand from the band

Telling apart a brand from the band

Storytelling is undoubtedly a powerful tool in human communication. Iconic brands hav... Read More
How to rejuvenate and reinvent yourself

How to rejuvenate and reinvent yourself

In life, every once in a while we will face pitfalls, challenges, even brutal loss. H... Read More
Column: The wide angle view

Column: The wide angle view

“I drink only single malts!” Should we laud this pompous ass? Look upon h... Read More
Inspiring packaging for Millennials

Inspiring packaging for Millennials

Cutty Sark’s gift pack features illustrations of friends being candidly themsel... Read More
How the Bar could be your Bank!

How the Bar could be your Bank!

Funny how the strangest thoughts come to you while contemplating on a simple exercise... Read More
Looking for Purrrfection

Looking for Purrrfection

Since the beginning of mankind, the quest for perfection has been a driving force in... Read More
Indian ‘Keepers of the Quaich’ earn wings

Indian ‘Keepers of the Quaich’ earn wings

By their very name, secret societies inspire curiosity, fascination and distrust. Soc... Read More
How to read customers’ moods at the bar

How to read customers’ moods at the bar

Picture yourself walking into a bar. You look around, getting a brief feel of the peo... Read More
Tales of the cocktails: the American saga

Tales of the cocktails: the American saga

If the cocktail could ever get on stage and tell the story of its creation, growth, d... Read More
The world of whisky is changing

The world of whisky is changing

While this is about whisky, let’s begin with some wine… An innocuous win... Read More
Shatbhi Basu: Orchestrating the perfect bar experience

Shatbhi Basu: Orchestrating the perfect bar experience

At a recent conference I was asked what I thought of the new crop of bartending stude... Read More
Michael D’Souza: What makes a Master Distiller?

Michael D’Souza: What makes a Master Distiller?

Many aspire for success, but only a few manage to actually succeed – probably b... Read More
Shatbhi Basu: History in a glass, and more!

Shatbhi Basu: History in a glass, and more!

Bartending has taught me far more than just the basics of what we need to know standi... Read More