DAIRIIFIED COCKTAILS

India's bartenders embrace dairy washing, creating clear yet flavour-packed cocktails that challenge how we see drinks

- Swarna Srikanth

You order a rich, indulgent espresso martini—but what lands on your table looks like plain water. You hesitate, confused.

Then you take a sip—and there it is: the unmistakable kick of coffee, the warmth of vodka, the same depth and decadence you expected, just a wee clearer to look at.

Welcome to the curious, clever world of dairy-washed cocktails—where appearance and taste play a thrilling game of hide and seek. Dairy washing is now quietly becoming a star on India’s evolving cocktail menus. This mixology trend has upped the bar scene. With flavours that stay bold but visuals that defy expectations, this technique used to clarify drinks is now becoming the secret weapon of creative mixologists, transforming how we see—and sip—our classic cocktails.

What is dairy washing

"Dairy washing is a technique that clarifies drinks by curdling the dairy product, such as milk with the addition of a citrus ingredient like lime juice or citric acid," explains mixologist Vikrant Nagaonkar, Assistant Bar Manager at Dome, Intercontinental Marine Drive.

Mixologist Lordston Soares (Maddy) of Amaru Mumbai, adds, "Whether it’s milk or curd, once you wash the cocktail with a citrus element, like lime juice, the drink’s original colour disappears but the flavour stays."

The result? A colourless drink; a cocktail that’s visually translucent but still carries the kick factor and character of its ingredients.