Making tradition meet modern indulgence, the result will be a flavourful celebration of taste, style and culture. Let’s welcome to the world the Desi Whisky Brunch - a trendsetting experience that will have a breathtaking combination of the robust charm of Indian cuisine with golden fine whisky. 

Food & Beverages (especially liquor) are the greatest pleasure of life! So, isn’t it obvious that Whisky lovers would desire to pair their favourite meal with their favourite drink? Of course, you will not forget to pair your amber coloured liquid with a mouth-watering dessert; is there anything better than a combination of a slice of apple pie with a glass of whisky to keep you warm? 

Hosting an Indian whisky brunch at home or in a hospitality space is an exciting and bold idea to be executed for foodies, event planners and even for restaurateurs across India. Whether you are planning a private party, a brand event or a Sunday gathering, here is Foodism with your ultimate how-to guide for hosting a Desi whisky brunch that will leave your guests speechless for weeks! 

Why host a desi whisky brunch? 

Because the concept is no longer limited to eggs and croissants, modern brunches in India have evolved into curated culinary experiences and adding whisky to the mix makes it super memorable. Whisky surprisingly pairs well with Indian spices. It is a unique way to show fusion cuisine. Perfect for occasions ranging from weekends to luxury events. Feels quite appealing to Millennial and Gen Z crowds who seek culturally rich, along with Instagram-worthy moments. 

Setting the ambience and aesthetic ambience

Throwing a desi whisky brunch demands the right vibe-check! You need to take care of the decor, music, seating, glassware and other crockeries. 

• You can use earthy tones, brassware, and jute runners.
• Curate a playlist with Indo-fusion tracks, retro Bollywood jazz or modern Sufi. 
• Low-floor cushions or charpais
• Invest in proper whisky tumblers, highball glasses and stylish copper water pitchers. 

Star of the Show: The Whisky Selection!

Here comes the most crucial part of your brunch party. Do not underestimate the power of Indian whisky brands, which are making waves globally-

Top Indian Whisky brands to consider: 

• Amrut Fusion Single Malt
• Rampur
• Indri-Trini
• Paul John Nirvana 

Any of these will be a bold and versatile choice for your whisky brunch party. But do not forget to pair these great whiskies with desi brunch food.

A flavorful map for Indian food lovers!

One of the most exciting aspects of a desi whisky brunch is to discover how deep and complex flavours Indian cuisine holds and how much it can complement the character of different whiskies. Much like wine, whisky has a rich spectrum of flavours - smoky, spicy, fruity, peaty, sweet and Indian foods have layered beauty - the beauty of masalas, texture and aroma to create a perfect playground of pairing. 

Here’s a guide to pair whisky with Indian brunch dishes, designed to help in creating cherishable food and drink combinations for a delightful brunch.

Tandoori Chicken Tikka + Peated Single Malt

The charred and smoky flavour of tandoori chicken can be served with Amrut Peated, as the spices and smokiness perfectly complement each other. You can offer bite-sized skewers with a yoghurt-mint chutney. Instead of chicken, vegetarians can opt for paneer. 

Prawn Masala Toast + Lightly Peated Whisky or Whisky Sour

With the coastal flavoured masala of tomato and onion, prawns are lightly toasted and fried and can be served with lightly peated single malt like Indri-Trini to amplify the flavour. 

Mini Keema Pav Sliders + Sherry-Cask Aged Whisky

The spiced lamb or chicken keema balances the slightly sweet and dried fruit note of sherry cask-aged whiskies like Rampur. These sliders can be served in mini pav buns with a garlic chutney for an extra kick. Vegetarians can go for paneer sliders instead of chicken or lamb. 

Kesari Shrikhand Tart + Vanilla-Forward Whisky

This is a saffron-based dessert with Greek yoghurt and nuts beautifully paired with whiskies which have vanilla and dried fruit notes like Glenfiddich 12 or Paul John Brilliance. 

Paneer Bhurji Tartlets + Smooth Highland-Style Whisky

The mildly spiced paneer bhurji can be beautifully lifted by slightly sweet and fruity Indian whisky, Paul John. The soft dairy note of paneer will go well with vanilla and honey undertones of this whisky. 

Masala Eggs Benedict + Oaky Indian Whisky

Have a desi twist on eggs - the creamy and umami-rich sauce perfectly pairs up with oaky whiskies like Amrut Fusion or Blenders Pride Reserve Collection. 

Aloo Chaat Cones + Spicy Highball

The tangy, spicy and crunchy profile goes perfectly with a whisky highball made with soda, lime and a dash of mint. This bubbly cocktail keeps you refreshed between bites. You can pair this up with Rockford Reserve or Oaksmith Gold for a fizzy finish. 

Whisky-Infused Dal Makhani Shots + Bold Indian Whisky

The creamy and buttery richness of dal makhni can stand up to a bold Indian single malt and can be ideally paired with Amrut Fusion or Rampur Double Cask. Serve this in shot glasses along with baby naan. 

Sprout Chaat + Floral, Light Whisky

Why not get high in a healthy way? The zingy flavour of sprouts can be paired with light, floral whiskies like Paul Jon Edited. You can also add lettuce wraps with a dash of lime. 

Dessert Pairing: Gulab Jamun + Whisky Rabdi + Fruity Malt 

Desserts like gulab jamun go best with whiskies with notes of toffee, raisins or dried apricots like Paul John Nirvana. You can infuse rabdi slightly with the whisky and garnish it with almond silvers. 

Onion Bhajiyas + Smoky Whisky

Smoky or peaty whiskies such as Amrut Fusion or Indri-Trini Peated enhance the crispy, fried texture and umami flavour of onion bhajiyas. The crunch is enhanced as the oiliness is cut through by the smoke. For contrast, pair with spiced whisky sour and tamarind chutney.

Rajma Galouti Kebabs + Rich, Spicy Whisky

The umami and spices in these vegetarian kebabs make them melt in your mouth. To bring out the earthy flavours of rajma and garam masala, pair them with a rye-based blend or a strong, spicy whisky like Rampur Double Cask. Serve atop tiny rotis with chutney made with avocado and mint. 

Hara Bhara Kababs + Whisky Mojito

We all love hara bhara kebabs! The mildly flavoured kebabs can best complement a whisky-based mojito using mint, lemon and soda. You add a little black salt for a desi twist. 

Here are the top pairings which can help you craft the best experience of a desi whisky brunch for your guests. So, roll out any of the above food items, grab those crystal glasses, cue to a Bollywood-jazz music playlist - celebrate the good food with a good mood. Download Foodism and share any of your creations with our vibrant food community for a perfect whisky pairing.