News
A note from the founders
Hello, intrepid drinks explorer. We warmly welcome you to the Maharaja Drinks emporium. We’re so glad you’re here.
We’re an eclectic group of five, who are all linked to India in some way – whether by birth, family or sheer wanderlust. And our shared love of Indian food, culture and drinks fuels hours of conversation between us, often over a glass or two of a favourite spirit or wine.
It was in the summer of 2022, during a typically ebullient evening that we began mulling over the idea for Maharaja Drinks.
We wondered why Indian drinks hadn't yet achieved the international recognition food or films had (take, for example, souk vendors shouting ‘Shah Rukh Khan’ at us in Morocco, much to our amusement). We of course savour locally produced drinks during our visits to India, so we know that Indian drinks are truly sip-worthy.
But it was rare that we’d find Indian spirits or wines listed on menus at the establishments we’d visit. And when wanting to share the love with friends in the UK and beyond, it was a struggle to get our hands on the goods (duty-free allowances have their limits, much to our chagrin).
So, back to the aforementioned summer evening. It ran into the early hours, thanks in no part to our insatiable thirst for compelling stories, inevitably accompanied by the refilling of glasses to keep the conversation going.
The choice that night was a favourite Indian wine. As we poured the last drops from the bottle, we lamented the fact that we’d have to wait a while before we could have another taste. We decided it was finally time to take matters into our own hands: thus sparking the idea for Maharaja Drinks.
Since then, we’ve traversed India looking for the locally-made drinks that not only pack a punch when it comes to flavour, but put thought into their processes and provenance. So here, we’ve put together an array of wines, beers, spirits, teas, coffees and fancies from India to help expand the repertoire of drinks enthusiasts outside of the country.
We’ve taken a deep dive (not literally) into each drink that we add to our emporium, and have met our suppliers face to face to build those important connections. While the tasting sessions were of course a welcome benefit of each personal meeting, they’ve also allowed us to hark back to the occasions, cultural moments, and, goodness knows, the numerous dining opportunities offered by India’s dizzying range of cuisines and cultures. Our drinks recommendations are therefore equally varied. What goes with Meen Pollichathu may be vastly different to what complements Laal Maas. And what you might pour at a refined dinner party is certainly not the same as what’s on offer during a sangeet.
We’ve done the digging – and the sipping – for you. So now it’s over to you to explore and experience our collection of (often literally) spirited and savour-worthy Indian drinks.
We do like to indulge in a bit of repartee - and of course, we're open to feedback - so we'd love to hear from you by email. Your comments may be published on our website, edited for clarity, length, or to remove inappropriate content while retaining the original intent. Published comments will be attributed to you by your first name or initials only, ensuring your privacy while providing credit for your valuable feedback.
