Indian Spirits
Since childhood I have had a connection with my father and drinks. Whether being the designated “Sommelier” at some of his dinner parties, or stuffing an extra bottle of his preferred whisky in my suitcase for summer holidays abroad, I always felt a level of inclusion when the adults would indulge in their preferred tipple.
Despite being a connoisseur of spirits, I haven’t seen my father drinking much vodka. Although, I do finally understand the New Year’s Day tradition of Bloody Marys with brunch! It was always a great joy of mine, after staying up to watch the fireworks, to help stir this mixture together with him and as a lover of spicy tomato juice I could never quite grasp why as a child I wasn’t allowed any. These days he is still making his special Bloody Marys, with a recipe stolen from the bar in the long gone Royal Commonwealth Club in London, with a new Indian twist of Smoke Lab Classic Vodka.
Having grown up in India and learning from my grandfather in his early adulthood, my father is of course a whisky man at heart. I remember how for years I would take him his measure of whisky in the evening as he watched the news. This year for Father’s Day I am taking him a bottle of India’s first single malt to reach British shores, Amrut Single Malt, to sip together.
We will no doubt enjoy a hearty Sunday lunch to celebrate Father’s Day. I know my father, as he has certainly passed onto me, loves a bold expressive red wine with his meals. I can think of none better for a special occasion than Grover Zampa’s Signet 2K Shiraz.
Now, I’m sure in his heyday he would have welcomed the chance to explore all these drinks and more for Father’s Day. In his dotage he is a wiser man and looks for non-alcoholic options to ease him through his day. Growing up in India he has a real link to natural and body friendly drinks, so he is a big fan of Borécha’s Berry Margarita kombucha: a healthier and zero sugar option especially enjoyable with the warmer weather my fingers are crossed for.
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