And the award for best supporting act goes to...

Over the last few years, a number of players have bolstered the boom that India's alco-bev industry has been experiencing. Meet some of the people who are elevating the spirits scene with their exciting new initiatives.

- SHRADDHA UCHIL

Let's be honest. Indians have never been more receptive to experimenting with alcohol than they are today. With this development, innovation has truly become the name of the game for the Indian alco-bev industry.

A number of homegrown makers have introduced their own labels in the market, riding a wave of revolutions. Single malts, gin, and tequila are seeing a surge in popularity, while ready-todrink alcoholic beverages are crowding supermarket shelves.

The uncles' favourite, Old Monk, has taken a back seat to make way for interesting new craft rums. And, of course, there's the growing interest in experimental cocktails, with bartenders going all out to design beverage programmes with ingredients that would make purists gasp.

In such a conducive atmosphere, it's no surprise that a number of ancillary services and products have flourished.

Premium mixers, spirits-focused events and festivals, beverage consultancies, and more are just the beginning of what looks like India's golden age for the F&B space.

Meet some of the people behind these brands and properties that are making drinking cool all over again.

Aneesh Bhasin 

Co-founder, Svami Drinks

It was back in 2018 that Aneesh Bhasin, along with his partners Rahul Mehra and Sahil Jatana, decided to take on global giant Schweppes with their own brand of tonic water. Thus, Svami was born. The timing couldn't have been any better, because its launch coincided with the gin revolution that the country was witnessing at the time. And what is gin's best friend? You guessed it - tonic.