Walk into any good bar in India this year, and you’ll notice something instantly: the mood has changed. The theatrics are softer, the drinks are cleaner, and the crowd knows exactly what they want. 2025 isn’t about flashy cocktails or trend-chasing menus; it’s about flavour, finesse, and a newfound appreciation for ingredients. And if the What India Is Drinking report from 30 Best Bars India is any indication, the shift from last year is more interesting than you think.
The Evolution Of Cocktail Culture In India
If 2024 was loud, experimental, and full of drama, then 2025 is the complete opposite. Cocktails are no longer about showmanship or oversized garnishes. They’re about balance, intention, and personality. The biggest change? Indian drinkers are making better choices, not more. They are thinking about what suits their mood, what complements their food, and what represents their taste. They are discovering new spirits, learning about ingredients, and appreciating the uniqueness that bartenders bring to the glass.
Spirits like agave, gin, and rum have matured into categories with nuance, not novelty. And most importantly, Indian palates are evolving. There’s an increasing love for spice, boldness, bitterness, coffee, and clean spirit-forward serves. This shift becomes crystal clear when you look at the top cocktails in 30 Best Bars India’s What India Is Drinking report. Almost every category has seen a shake-up, with new favourites rising and old icons redefining their place.
Let’s break down the five most popular cocktails of 2025 and how they changed from last year.
The Top 5 Cocktails In India In 2025
1. Top Agave Cocktail: Picante
2024 Rank: 2
2025 Rank: 1
The Picante is the clearest example of how Indian tastes have shifted. In 2024, the Margarita still ruled. But in 2025, Indians wanted something with more attitude. The Picante brings exactly that, with fresh chilli heat, cilantro, lime, and agave all coming together to create a cocktail that feels bold yet balanced.
It matches the Indian palate naturally with its spicy, fresh, and bright notes. Most bars even went a step ahead, serving their own twists on the classic. All of a sudden, it was being ordered, shared on Instagram, and compared between bars. This increase also represents a broader change, as consumers now prefer cocktails that taste more than just sweet or sour.
Also Read: From Agave To Aperitifs, 19 Top Brands That Defined India’s Drinking Culture In 2025
2. Top Gin Cocktail: Negroni
2024 Rank: 1
2025 Rank: 1
The Negroni is like that friend who consistently makes an impression without making a lot of effort. It maintained its top spot in 2024 and continued to dominate gin cocktails in 2025. And the reason is simple: India is slowly falling in love with bitters.
Not too long ago, many drinkers found Negronis “too strong” or “too bitter.” But today, people appreciate the balance between gin, vermouth, and Campari. They’re seeking smaller, cleaner, more spirit-forward cocktails that don’t rely on drama or frills. It’s not flashy, sweet, or trendy. But it’s timeless, and India is finally appreciating that.
3. Top Vodka Cocktail: Espresso Martini
2024 Rank: 5
2025 Rank: 1
If there is one cocktail that represents India’s new drinking habits, it is the Espresso Martini. In 2024, the Cosmopolitan was still the favourite. But in 2025, everything changed because India’s coffee culture exploded.
People are drinking more cold brew, more speciality beans, and more craft coffee than ever before. And the Espresso Martini sits right at the intersection of coffee culture and cocktail culture. Bars are now using better coffee, better machines, and better liqueurs, and suddenly the drink everyone thought was “too 2010” is cool again. It’s the perfect evening cocktail, Instagram-friendly, great for dinner parties, and loved equally by men and women.
4. Top Rum Cocktail: Daiquiri
2024 Rank: 2
2025 Rank: 1
The Daiquiri may look simple, but that’s exactly why it’s such a big deal. In a year where rum reinvented itself, the Daiquiri became the drink that proved how elegant the spirit can be. For two years straight, the Mojito was the undisputed champion. But in 2025, drinkers wanted something sharper and more refined. The Daiquiri, with its clean mix of rum, lime, and sugar, became the star.
5. Top Whisky Cocktail: Old Fashioned
2024 Rank: 2
2025 Rank: 1
India loves whisky more than any other spirit, but whisky cocktails took a while to evolve. For a long time, the Whisky Sour was the go-to. But in 2025, the Old Fashioned reclaimed the throne, indicating the value of balance, strength, and clarity.
The cocktail culture in India has evolved considerably between 2024 and 2025, welcoming new drinks at the top. This development shows we don’t just drink for the sake of it; rather, we drink for the experience, savouring every sip like it’s a work of art. We now drink for experience rather than just for the sake of drinking. Bars are crafting cocktails with thought, and we pick drinks that speak to us; it’s a delicate balance that forms the foundation of India’s thriving cocktail culture.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Ali Waheed and Canva/fascinadora
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