A good Sangeet has a few guarantees. Someone will forget their steps, someone will request a song that was definitely not on the playlist, and the bar will become the most popular spot in the room at some point in the night.
If whisky is on the menu, there is no reason to keep it to neat pours and soda. It works surprisingly well in cocktails, especially when you bring in a little citrus, ginger, honey or fizz. So, if you are putting together the drinks for your sangeet, consider these for the pre-wedding Sangeet.
Whisky Sour
Start with a Whisky Sour. It is one of those cocktails that is hard to dislike, with whisky, fresh lemon juice and sugar coming together in the right amount of sweet and sour. Add an egg-white foam if you want it a little silkier. It is refreshing enough for the first round and interesting enough to come back to later.
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned does not need much introduction. Whisky, bitters, sugar and orange. It is strong, simple and exactly what you want when you do not want your drink covered in ten different ingredients. Serve it over ice and let the whisky do the talking.
Whisky Highball
For anyone planning to spend most of the night dancing, the Whisky Highball makes sense. Whisky, soda, ice and a little lemon. It is lighter than most whisky cocktails and easy to drink while you are making your way from the bar to the dance floor and back again.
New York Sour
The New York Sour is a fun one to have on the menu because it looks more complicated than it actually is. It starts with a Whisky Sour, then gets a little red wine floated on top. You get the sharpness of lemon, the warmth of whisky and a fruity finish from the wine. Plus, it looks rather good in a glass.
Penicillin
If you like a little ginger in your drink, order the Penicillin. Whisky, lemon, honey and ginger make up the base, with a smoky whisky float on top. It has a bit of everything going on without becoming too much. Think warm, citrusy and slightly smoky.
Whisky Smash
The Whisky Smash is the one for a warm evening. Fresh mint, lemon, sugar and whisky, muddled together and served over ice. It is bright and refreshing, and the mint makes it feel less heavy than some of the other whisky cocktails.
Gold Rush
The Gold Rush is proof that you do not need a long ingredient list to make a good drink. Whisky, lemon and honey syrup. Done. It is smooth, slightly sweet and has just enough citrus to keep things fresh.
Manhattan
And for the whisky loyalists, there is always a Manhattan. Whisky, sweet vermouth and bitters, usually with a cherry on top. It is richer, stronger and probably better suited to sitting down for a minute than attempting another dance routine.