Dressed Eskimo-like in a bulky cape, thick gloves and warm boots, bartender Manoj Kumar concocts icy cocktails at -6°C and serves them in glasses cut from ice. The location is sweltering Delhi’s Ice Lounge Bar that’s complete with India-inspired ice sculptures of the Taj Mahal, a tiger and even a sari-clad woman.

The five-month-old ice bar in Saket’s MGF Metropolitan Mall was designed by the globally acclaimed ice sculptor, Julian Bayley. The customers are advised to stay in the ice lounge for no more than 45 minutes (but they’re welcome to stay as long as they can brave the cold).

The lounge can accommodate up to 35 people at a time and before entering, customers are given thermal capes, gloves and boots to keep them warm. “In these freezing temperatures, infused cocktails are most welcome,” smiles Kumar.

The 23-year-old bartender joined the Ice Lounge Bar recently, armed with two years experience of working in different bars around town. He picked up the tricks of the trade on the job.

The Ice Lounge Bar menu is high on vodka infusions and the bartender has a soft spot for the spirit infused with pear and nutmeg, strawberry and vanilla and even pepper and chocolate. Kumar shares the recipes of some Ice Lounge Bar specials.

Bartender’s Breakfast

Glass Martini

Ingredients 45ml vanilla and fig infused vodka 2 bar spoons of strawberry jam 30ml Earl Grey tea

Method Pour the vanilla and fig infused vodka into a shaker. Add two bar spoons of strawberry jam and Earl Grey Tea and shake well. Now strain the drink into a martini glass and garnish with a strawberry.

Mixamatosis

Glass Collins

Ingredients 45ml pepper and chocolate infused vodka 3 Kaffir lime leaves 5ml ginger ale 3-4 chunks of ginger (shredded)

Method Muddle Kaffir lime leaves and shredded ginger in a muddler. Now add pepper and chocolate infused vodka to the muddled ingredients and shake for a minute. Strain the concoction and top it with ginger ale. You can garnish the drink with more Kaffir lime leaves and slices of lemon.

Cilantro Sour

Glass Martini

Ingredients 45ml coriander infused vodka 10ml vanilla syrup 30ml pineapple juice 5ml Balsamic vinegar

Method Pour coriander infused vodka, vanilla syrup, pineapple juice and Balsamic vinegar into a shaker and shake it for a minute. Now pour the concoction into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of lemon.

As told to Chitra Papnai; Photographs by Jagan Negi