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Thanda matlab... beer

It's time to raise a toast to summer with mojitos, daiquiri, kiwitinis and beer

SUMMER TALES Colourful cocktails ensure a cool time Photo: Mohd Yousuf

It's that time of the year when aam panna and rest of the coolers make their rounds. And this is also the season when tipplers decide to barter their daily quarter with a pint.

No more of that rum and whiskey (these are strictly for winters), as mint-laced mojito, pine heavy pina colada and exotic tequila sunrise are ones to sip this time around. But for most thanda matlab beer (pronounced with extra emphasis on the second `e'!) holds good.

Feel-good effect

"It's beer for summer. Rum is for winters," says Ankit, an event manager. Agrees Vandith, owner of a restaurant. "Beer is the normal drink on hot afternoons to beat the heat for a lot of people. To a large extent it is psychological. Chilled beer has that feel good effect."

Vodka, in all its avatars, slushes, cocktails and shots such as B52, rules summers.

And more so in its cocktail avatar. A case in point is the Caipiroshka — vodka with a hint of lime and a generous scoop of ice. And much like the cold coffees, this is time for Long Island Iced Teas.

Also topping the "thing to drink" list this summer are cocktails with gin or rum mixed with soda served in chilled stemware and with a generous helping of ice. Martinis and margaritas make rounds in their frozen and slushed avatars at private dos.

"It's chilled daiquiri and martini for me. I just had a peach daiquiri and it was awesome," says Saroja, an IT professional.

Even the season's fruits get high on the cocktail index. Exit orange juice with a dash of white spirit and lime wedges.

Bright hues

While whiskey sours make way for green apple syrups. Strawberries, passion fruit, and rest of the summer offerings add for some bright hues this summer. Watermelon cubes soaked in vodka for two days can make for a heady summer noon. So also kiwitini, "vodkas with fresh kiwis," recommends the manager of a pub.

Whoever said summer is a dry season?

Tired of neat drinks? Try out these exotic cocktails that are `in' this season

Melon slush — vodka, melon syrup and lime<18>

Banana daiquiri — banana, lime, maraschino liqueur and rum

Mojito — Mint leaves, rum, soda and lime

Cocotail — fresh coconut, white spirit, sour mix and ice

Green apple martini — flavoured vodka, sour-apple schnapps and lime

SYEDA FARIDA

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