On World Cocktail Day, mixologist Shatbhi Basu stirs up cocktails from the LMNOQ menu

Cheers, it’s World Cocktail Day.

Shatbhi Basu, India’s first woman bartender and mixologist, has raised the bar with her uniquely curated cocktail menu at Park Street’s buzzing sky bar LMNOQ. Read on to learn how to shake up a refreshing Floral Gin and Tonic, a mellow Marmalade and Thyme Old Fashioned, and a twist on the classic refreshing Pomegranate Whiskey Sour…

Floral Gin & Tonic

The Floral Gin & Tonic is by far the most popular cocktail at the sky bar. Pretty as a picture, the cocktail has beautiful floral notes that refresh you instantly! “I wanted to make a fun cocktail but at the same time keep it light and give it an unusual flavour profile. I think the addition of the blue pea or Aparajita flower that is native to Kolkata, makes the drink special. It also adds a good kick. Personally, this is one of my favourite cocktails,” says Shatbhi. The gin used in these cocktails is first steeped in freshly procured flowers and then served.

Floral Gin and Tonic at LMNOQ

Ritagnik Bhattacharya

Glass: Big Wine glass

Ingredients

60ml Butterfly pea gin
5ml sugar syrup
1 lime wedge
Tonic water

For the garnish

Fresh mint
Edible flowers

Method

Fill the glass with ice to the brim
Add the infused gin and the syrup
Squeeze in the lime. Drop the lime wedge into the glass
Stir well
Top it up with tonic water and garnish

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Marmalade and Thyme Old Fashioned

The Marmalade and Thyme Old Fashioned is an earthy drink with mellow citrus undertones. “You can either add dehydrated orange or orange zest as garnish along with thyme sprigs but make sure to add the garnish, it brings the whole drink together!” is Shatbhi's #protip.

Marmalade and Thyme Old Fashioned at LMNOQ

Ritagnik Bhattacharya

Glass: Rocks

Ingredients

60ml Bourbon
1 bar spoon of orange Marmalade
1 sprig thyme
Bitters (optional)

For the garnish

Orange zest/dehydrated orange
Thyme sprig

Method

Muddle the thyme gently in the glass
Add in the marmalade and mix it well to soften it
Add a splash of bourbon and make a smooth paste
Add in the rest of the bourbon and mix well
Fill the glass with ice cubes and stir well. This will help it mellow and cool down
Garnish!

Pomegranate Whiskey Sour

This concoction is an interesting twist on the classic. “I love making exciting variations of the Whiskey Sour. Here I use the sweetness of pomegranate to bring out the more intricate flavours of whiskey,” explains the mixologist.