Spice mixology: Smell this, drink that
Editor’s note: Community space, cafe and bar—KMC* in Fort, Mumbai is an airy venue that goes from a dining venue in the day—to lively bar in the evenings. The most innovative offerings on their menu are the Perfumed Mixology cocktails—which infuse classic drinks with Indian fragrances. Head Mixologist Jishnu AJ offers a lowdown on the flavours and the process. Photo credits for all images belong to Nikhil Vaidya.
A special treat for splainer subscribers: You get 15% off any perfumed mixology cocktail at KMC*. All you have to do is share the code: ‘Splainer15’. The splainer exclusive offer is not applicable on food/ merch/ any other beverages. This offer is valid for 2 months (till 14th August, 2024).
About the art of perfume mixology
The inspiration comes from Kannauj's fragrant legacy that dates back over a thousand years, making the city in Uttar Pradesh one of the oldest perfumery centres in the world. The city's geographical location along the ancient trade routes contributed to its early access to exotic spices, herbs, and botanicals.
Perfumes and mixing cocktails have a very common thought process behind it, and the non-alcoholic styles of perfume they make in a large pot distilling ingredients with water, also known as hydrosol made me think of coming up with a concept inspired by that.
We have ten perfumes—a mix of 2 or more ingredients—in our menu. And the best part is it goes with all kinds of spirits. Guests can choose a perfume they like, pair it with their personal favourite spirits and they will be served in a couple—old fashioned sour style or a fizzy highball—as per their preference.
So, what’s on the menu…
Cinnamon & Coriander: Combining cinnamon and coriander in a cocktail offers a balanced and aromatic experience. The taste profile features cinnamon's warm, sweet, and spicy notes, complemented by coriander's citrusy, slightly floral, and subtly earthy flavour. The aroma is a delightful blend of cinnamon's comforting scent with coriander's fresh fragrance, resulting in a drink with depth and complexity.
Lavender & Aniseed: With the delicate floral notes of lavender and the subtly minty, licorice flavour of aniseed—this combination provides a refreshing and aromatic cocktail. It's a perfect choice for those who appreciate a nuanced and intriguing drink.
Chocolate & Orange: Combining chocolate and orange in a cocktail creates a luxurious and aromatic experience. The taste is a harmonious blend of rich, velvety chocolate with its deep cocoa notes—paired with the bright, tangy sweetness of orange. The aroma is equally captivating, with the warm, inviting scent of chocolate complemented by the fresh and zesty fragrance of orange.
Mix Spices: Combining spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and star anise in a cocktail creates a warm, aromatic, and complex flavour profile. The taste is a rich blend of cinnamon's sweet warmth, cardamom's floral notes, cloves' spiciness, and star anise's licorice flavour. The aroma is a heady mix of sweet, spicy, and herbal scents, evoking cosy sophistication perfect for cooler weather or festive occasions.
Cardamom & Vetiver: The taste profile blends the sweet, floral, and slightly spicy notes of cardamom with the deep, earthy, and slightly smoky flavour of vetiver. The aroma is a rich tapestry of cardamom’s fragrant spice and vetiver’s grounding, woody scent, ultimately creating a refreshing and deeply aromatic drink.
Jatamansi & Rose: The earthy, musky, and slightly bitter notes of Jatamansi combine with the sweet, floral, and subtly fruity flavour of rose. The aroma is a captivating blend of Jatamansi's deep, herbal scent and rose's delicate bouquet, resulting in a sophisticated and soothing drink.
Mace: Mace, derived from the outer covering of the nutmeg seed, adds a subtle warmth and complexity to a cocktail. With delicate hints of citrus and pepper, mace complements other spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and star anise, enhancing the drink with its unique flavour nuances and aromatic experience.
Curry & Cumin: Combining curry leaf and cumin in a cocktail offers a savoury experience. The taste profile features the aromatic, citrusy, and slightly peppery flavour of curry leaves, balanced by the warm, earthy, and slightly nutty notes of cumin. The aroma is a fusion of curry leaf's fresh, herbaceous scent with cumin's rich, spicy fragrance.
Rosemary Sandalwood: This blend marries the herbal, piney essence of rosemary with the warm, woody undertones of sandalwood. The result is a cocktail that offers a refreshing yet grounding experience, making it a sophisticated choice for the discerning palate.
Truffle & Basil: Mixing truffle and basil in a cocktail leads to a sophisticated drinking experience. The taste blends the earthy, umami-rich depth of truffle with the fresh, slightly peppery, and aromatic notes of basil. The aroma is an alluring mix of truffle's intense fragrance with basil's bright scent.
