Raise a ‘Green’ Toast

As sustainability comes to the bar, hoteliers are making sure that their cocktails are turning all things green.

- By Bindu Gopal Rao

The well-heeled traveller is now looking for authenticity, storytelling, and unique flavours that come with green cocktails. Many are not only open to the concept but actively seek it out as part of a mindful lifestyle. Experts weigh in.

Conscious craftsmanship

Mixologists are creatively repurposing kitchen scraps and garden herbs to craft innovative, sustainable cocktails. Sustainable drinks are all about ensuring that the carbon footprint is minimal. A growing focus on partnering with distilleries that follow eco-friendly, low-impact production methods; avoiding the use of single-use plastics and imported garnishes; and using compostable alternatives like bamboo shoot straws and fruit shells that double as serving glasses are some examples.

At Rick’s, Taj Mahal, New Delhi’s premier Casablanca-themed bar, the team has introduced a curated collection of green cocktails that spotlight conscious craftsmanship without compromising on creativity. “Each drink is rooted in the use of hyperlocal, seasonal ingredients to ensure freshness and reduce our carbon footprint. True to our zero-waste philosophy, we creatively repurpose ingredients across the cocktail journey—tender coconut shells become elegant serving vessels, citrus peels and herb stems are transformed into house-made syrups and infusions, while pineapple husks and dehydrated fruit skins find new life as natural garnishes. These thoughtful touches come together to create cocktails that are as mindful as they are memorable,” says Ananya Pant, Restaurant Manager and Mixologist, Rick’s, Taj Mahal, New Delhi.

Green Bars