The Delhi Cooler: Get Transported To India

The Delhi Cooler cocktail is an aromatic drink that takes you straight to the bustling streets of India with just one sip.

This cocktail recipe blends the botanical notes of London dry gin with the tartness of lime, the sweetness of pineapple, and the exotic warmth of homemade curry nectar.

It’s a bold and refreshing choice for those looking to explore globally inspired flavors in their beverages.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the Delhi Cooler, including the preparation of the distinctive curry nectar!

The Delhi Cooler Ingredients:

• London Dry Gin (2 ounces / 60 ml): Provides a crisp, botanical base that complements the cocktail’s spicy and fruity notes.
• Lime Juice (3/4 ounce / 22.5 ml, freshly squeezed): Adds a refreshing acidity that brightens the drink.
• Pineapple Juice (3/4 ounce / 22.5 ml): Gives some tropical sweetness and a smooth texture.
• Curry Nectar (3/4 ounce / 22.5 ml): A homemade infusion that brings a unique spice blend and depth to the cocktail.

The Delhi Cooler Recipe:

1. Prepare Curry Nectar:
   • In a large pot, combine 5 cups (1183 ml) of water, 1 cup (96 g) of ground cumin, 1 cup (96 g) of ground coriander, 1 cup (96 g) of allspice berries, 1/2 cup (48 g) of black peppercorns, 2 1/2 tablespoons (18.75 g) of ground turmeric, and 2 Thai chiles (seeds and stems removed).
   • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes uncovered. Turn off the heat and stir in 5 cups (1183 ml) of sugar until fully dissolved. Cover the pot and let it steep for an additional 10 minutes. Strain the nectar through several layers of cheesecloth to remove solids. Allow the nectar to cool before using.
2. Mix the Cocktail:
   • Fill a shaker with ice and add 60 ml (2 ounces) of London dry gin, 22.5 ml (3/4 ounce) each of freshly squeezed lime juice, pineapple juice, and curry nectar. The combination of these ingredients creates a balance of botanical, citrus, sweet, and spicy flavors.
3. Shake and Serve:
   • Secure the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously until the mixture is well-chilled. This ensures that the flavors are well blended and the cocktail is served cold.
   • Strain the mixture into a tall glass (generally a  Collins glass) filled with fresh ice, creating a great looking and yummy cocktail.

The Delhi Cooler Cocktail:

The Delhi Cooler is a signature beverage from Billy Helmkamp, the creative mind and co-owner behind The Whistler in Chicago.

This cocktail blends gin with lime juice, pineapple, and a distinctive curry nectar, a spiced syrup that enriches the beverage with a touch of beloved Indian flavors.

Helmkamp shares the ingredients of the curry nectar: “The curry nectar contains sugar, water, cumin, coriander, turmeric, Thai chili peppers, black peppercorn and allspice.” He highlights the turmeric for its aromatic qualities, noting that its bitterness provides a counterweight to the syrup’s sweetness, while also giving the drink its vibrant hue.

Making the curry nectar in your own kitchen is pretty straightforward. With the right ingredients in hand, simply simmer them together in a pot of hot water. This process melds the spices while dissolving the sugar, akin to making a traditional simple syrup. Prepare a bit more than you need, ensuring you’re well-stocked to whip up several servings of the Delhi Cooler.

The robust taste of the curry nectar is beautifully balanced by the gin’s botanical notes and the citrusy zing of lime and pineapple juices. Combine all ingredients with ice, give it a vigorous shake, and then strain the mixture into your glass. The result is a tall, invigorating beverage that offers a refreshing sip of Indian-inspired flavors.

Check out more of the best gin cocktails and turmeric cocktail recipes.