Festivals in India have always carried a strong association with food and drink. Alongside elaborate meals and sweets, beverages often serve as the first welcome extended to guests. While sherbets, thandai, and masala chai remain staples, there is growing curiosity around drinks that feel celebratory but also modern. Cold brews, espresso tonics and sparkling infusions are gaining attention, especially when blended with Indian ingredients that carry festive associations. Saffron, rose, and spices like cardamom or clove have long been used in celebratory cooking, and they bring familiar comfort when adapted into these contemporary formats. This shift does not replace traditional beverages but adds a new dimension to festive tables, giving hosts and guests lighter, refreshing choices that feel both indulgent and current.
Saffron Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew has become widely available in cafés across Indian cities, and it can also be prepared at home without special equipment. Coarsely ground coffee is steeped in cold water for twelve to eighteen hours to extract flavour slowly and reduce bitterness. Adding saffron strands during the steeping process lends both aroma and a golden hue that feels instantly festive. Saffron pairs well with the natural sweetness of cold brew, and a touch of honey or jaggery syrup can be added before serving. The drink is best enjoyed over ice in tall glasses, making it suitable for daytime gatherings when guests may prefer something lighter than hot coffee.
Rooh Afza Espresso Tonic
Espresso tonic originated in Scandinavian cafés, combining a shot of espresso with chilled tonic water. The contrast of bitter coffee and sparkling quinine creates a bright flavour that works well with floral additions. In an Indian festive context, the drink transforms with a small measure of Rooh Afza stirred into the tonic before the espresso is poured. The syrup not only reinforces the rose profile but also introduces subtle herbal notes familiar to Indian palates. When served over ice in tall glasses, the layers of red, amber, and dark brown create a striking appearance, and the drink carries both nostalgia and novelty. It works as a non-alcoholic alternative to cocktails, offering complexity without spirits.
Butterfly Blue Pea Tea With Cardamom And Lime
Butterfly pea tea is recognised for its vivid indigo colour, which deepens when brewed and changes to purple when lime juice is added. To give it a festive Indian character, cardamom can be infused into the tea during brewing. The gentle warmth of cardamom balances the tang of lime, and a light jaggery syrup can be used for sweetness. Served chilled over ice, the colour shift at the moment lime juice is added creates a theatrical effect, making it suitable for entertaining during festivals. The blend of traditional spice with modern tea creates a drink that feels both celebratory and grounded.
Matcha Pistachio Milk Cooler With Saffron Honey
Matcha carries an earthy, grassy flavour that can be softened and given festive appeal through ingredients already central to Indian celebrations. Whisked matcha can be poured over chilled milk blended with finely ground pistachios, creating a creamy base that echoes Indian kulfi. A drizzle of saffron-infused honey adds fragrance and gentle sweetness. The green of matcha, the pale richness of pistachios, and the golden streak of saffron combine to create both a visual and flavourful reminder of festive indulgence. This drink offers energy, richness and a connection between Japanese tea traditions and Indian festive ingredients.
Cold Masala Chai Fizz
Chai is perhaps the most recognisable Indian beverage, but it rarely appears in a cold or sparkling form. Brewing a concentrated masala chai with spices such as ginger, cinnamon and cloves, then chilling it, creates the base for this drink. When poured over ice and topped with soda water, it transforms into a spiced fizz that feels novel yet rooted in tradition. A small amount of condensed milk can be added for sweetness and creaminess, or jaggery syrup for a lighter finish. This adaptation allows a familiar favourite to sit comfortably alongside other new wave festive drinks.
Coconut Water And Lemongrass Cooler
Coconut water has long been valued in Indian households for hydration, and it now finds place in festive drinks with creative twists. Simmering fresh lemongrass stalks in water releases a gentle citrus fragrance, and this infused liquid can be cooled and blended with tender coconut water. The result is a naturally sweet, slightly tangy cooler that requires no added sugar. For garnish, thin slices of tender coconut flesh or a wedge of lime can be added to the glass. This drink is particularly suitable for daytime rituals during festivals, when lighter refreshments are welcome.