Sixes, Cheers And Second Pours: Cocktails Made For The IPL Final
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The IPL Final is here. From crisp vodka highballs and apple spritzes to classic whisky serves and craft gin cocktails, these drinks are perfect for hosting the ultimate watch party
Great matches deserve great drinks, these easy cocktails are perfect for every six, wicket, and last-over thriller.
Match days are rarely just about the cricket. They’re about settling in with friends, debating every decision, celebrating sixes, and staying glued to the screen long after the first ball is bowled. The last thing you want during a marathon match is a drink that feels too heavy too quickly.
That’s why lighter, refreshing cocktails work so well for game nights. Easy to sip, packed with flavour, and designed to keep the mood relaxed, these serves strike the perfect balance between indulgence and refreshment. Whether you’re hosting a watch party or enjoying the match from your couch, these cocktails are built to go the distance.
KIEV Apple Kick Spiritz
From the first ball to the final over, this crisp and refreshing serve keeps you in the game. With vibrant apple flavours and a smooth finish, it’s the ideal drink for settling in, soaking up the IPL action, and enjoying every moment of the match.
What you need:
45 ml KIEV Green Apple Vodka
Tonic water or soda
A pinch of black salt
A dash of lemon juice
Ice
How to make it:
Fill your glass with ice and pour in the vodka. Add a dash of lemon juice and a pinch of black salt for a subtle tangy kick. Top with tonic water or soda and give it a gentle stir. Finish with a fresh apple slice for a crisp and refreshing serve.
Lemon Highball
Much like a perfectly paced innings, the Lemon Highball is all about balance, finesse, and refreshment. Bright citrus notes meet a refreshing sparkle to create an easy-drinking serve that’s perfect for enjoying through every over of the match. Clean, uncomplicated, and endlessly enjoyable, it’s a winning choice for any IPL watch party.
What you need:
45 ml Vodka
Soda or sparkling water
Fresh lemon wedges
Ice
How to make it:
Begin by filling a tall glass with ice. Pour in the Vodka and add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon to bring out its crisp character. Top with chilled soda or sparkling water and stir lightly to combine. Garnish with a lemon wheel for a bright, refreshing finish that’s effortlessly easy to enjoy.
The Classic Manhattan
Just like a seasoned captain who leads from the front, the Classic Manhattan is confident, dependable, and packed with character. Smooth and timeless, it’s the perfect cocktail for cricket enthusiasts who appreciate the finer details of the game and the drink in their hand.
What you need:
30 ml Sherry Platinum Whisky
15 ml sweet vermouth
2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
How to make it:
Stir everything with ice until chilled, then strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry to finish.
Strategic Timeout – On the Rocks
When the match pauses for a strategic timeout, it’s the perfect moment to refresh your own game. Simple, smooth, and timeless, this classic serve is all about enjoying the spirit in its purest form while staying locked into every twist and turn of the IPL action.
What you need:
60 ml Whisky
Large ice cubes
How to make it:
Place a few large ice cubes in a whisky glass and pour the Whisky over them. Allow the whisky to rest for a moment, letting the ice gently open up its character. Sip slowly and savour the evolving notes as the flavours soften and unfold with every sip.
LITCHI: A Stage in a Glass
A playful, almost mischievous composition where litchi sweetness takes centre stage, cucumber plays the refreshing understudy, and basil enters like a quiet yet unforgettable monologue. Finished with a citrus spotlight that ties the act together.
What you need:
45 ml Gin
5 to 6 fresh cucumber chunks
3 to 4 basil leaves
A dash of citrus juice
Garnish: Basil sprig or cucumber ribbon
How to make it:
Think of this as your opening act. Begin by gently muddling the cucumber and basil, just enough to release their essence without overpowering the drink. Add the gin and citrus juice, then shake well with ice, like the rising tension before a grand reveal.
Strain into a chilled glass, your stage, set and ready. Finish with a basil sprig or a delicate cucumber ribbon, like the final bow after a compelling performance.
Take a sip. This one doesn’t just refresh, it performs.
TERAI TWILIGHT: The Grand Finale
An evocative performance where bold pomegranate takes the spotlight, citrus cuts through like sharp dialogue, and ginger adds a slow-burning intensity, building towards a finish that lingers, much like the final act of a powerful play.
What you need:
50 ml TERAI India Craft Vodka
25 ml pomegranate juice
10 ml lime juice
10 ml ginger cordial
A pinch of salt
Pomegranate pearls and a mint sprig
How to make it:
Start by gently muddling the mint; think of it as setting the stage, releasing subtle aromas without stealing the scene. Add the vodka, pomegranate juice, lime juice, ginger cordial, and a pinch of salt, then shake with ice, bringing energy, tension, and rhythm into the mix.
Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube, the spotlight moment. Garnish with pomegranate pearls and a mint sprig, like the final flourish before curtain call.
One sip in, and you’re not just drinking; you’re witnessing a performance unfold.
Cocktails Inspired by the Journey of an IPL Six
Every great match has its own rhythm. It starts steadily, settles into the middle overs, and then suddenly comes alive when the momentum shifts. These cocktails follow a similar journey, light and refreshing to begin with, before gradually building in flavour and character as the evening unfolds.
The Apple Kick Spiritz keeps things crisp and uncomplicated, making it an easy opener for long match nights.
The Classic Manhattan brings in a little more depth while still maintaining balance and elegance.
For something more expressive, Litchi: A Stage in a Glass delivers a playful combination of gin, basil, and cucumber that feels refreshing without being overpowering.
And when the evening settles in, Twilight offers a smoother, fuller finish, with notes of pomegranate, ginger, and citrus coming together effortlessly.
What makes these drinks work so well for match nights is their balance. Nothing feels too heavy too quickly, and each serve keeps the mood easy, relaxed, and social, exactly how a good watch party should feel.
Because sometimes, the best part of the evening isn’t just the match itself, but the conversations, celebrations, and second pours that come with it.
