Diwali Party Mocktails: 8 Festive Drinks to Serve This Diwali
Between the sweets, the taash and the relatives, Diwali needs drinks that look festive, suit every age at the table and don't keep you in the kitchen. Here are eight.
Diwali get-togethers usually mix generations: grandparents, cousins, neighbours and friends. That makes alcohol-free drinks the easiest choice for the whole table. They just need to feel special, which mostly comes down to colour, garnish and a nice glass.
1. Anaar (pomegranate) fizz
Fresh pomegranate juice, a squeeze of lime, topped with soda. Drop a spoonful of pomegranate arils into each glass so they glow like little diyas.
2. Rose mojito
Make a virgin mojito and add a teaspoon of rose syrup or gulkand. It's floral, minty and very festive.
3. Kesar elaichi lemonade
Soak a few strands of saffron in a tablespoon of warm water, then add it to sweet lemonade with a pinch of crushed cardamom. It's golden, fragrant and pairs beautifully with mithai.
4. Blue Lagoon "diya glow"
A Blue Lagoon mocktail served with a lemon wheel and a twist of orange peel looks stunning against warm Diwali lights. Use clear glasses so the colour shines.
5. Paan mojito
Muddle a paan leaf with mint, lime and a little gulkand, then top with soda. It's a great after-dinner drink, and the mouth-freshener is built in.
6. Cranberry orange cooler
The virgin cosmo, served long over ice with extra orange slices. Deep red and festive, and easy to make by the jug.
7. Masala jaljeera soda
A tangy, digestive drink that is welcome after the third round of kaju katli. Top with boondi just before serving.
8. Instant mocktail tray for card night
For long taash sessions, keep a tray of Partay sachets, a bucket of ice and chilled soda next to the table. Players make their own drink in ten seconds without leaving the game. Each one is 7 calories, so there's more room for sweets.
Serving tips for a Diwali party
- Use brass or copper trays for a festive look, and keep a damp cloth handy for spills.
- Freeze rose petals or pomegranate arils in ice cubes the night before.
- Use sugar or edible gold rims on a few special glasses for elders and guests of honour.
- Label each jug with a small card so guests know what they're pouring.
- Keep drinks away from the diyas and candles, and use stable, heavy-bottomed glasses.
Gifting idea: a small box of mocktail sachets with a couple of nice glasses makes an easy Diwali gift for friends and colleagues.
One ₹20 sachet + 200 ml water or soda = a 7-calorie, alcohol-free mocktail in 10 seconds. In select stores in Gurugram & Alwar, with bulk orders shipped Pan India.