A Local’s Guide To Finding The Best Summer Drinks To Beat The Heat
By: Katha Nauriyal
Travelling to Mumbai in the summer season is less than ideal. Temperatures can soar as high as 39°C. Luckily, its social scene more than compensates for the sweltering heat, and its nightlife continues to thrive. Contributor and local writer Katha Nauriyal scours her home city for the hottest bars to ring in the summer.
This year has been no exception. Despite a heatwave warning by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), followed by an even more humid monsoon, Mumbai’s culinary landscape continues to sizzle.
Locals and travellers alike are finding refuge in chic pool bars. Restaurants and pubs are rolling out brand-new menus with seasonal concoctions and refreshing cocktails. Al-fresco dining spaces are abloom with lush foliage. Beachfront cafes with large parasols make for the perfect setting to bask in the soothing breeze of the Arabian Sea.
I’m spending a lazy Friday afternoon at Mizu, the city’s first izakaya (a resto-bar typically found in Tokyo’s inner lanes).
Much like the trendy neighbourhood of Bandra where it’s located, Mizu is a magnet for some good-old celebrity spotting. Even in the gaze of the scorching sun, chances are you’ll encounter a Bollywood star — or at least the relentless paparazzi who wait outside, undeterred by the heat.
Since becoming one of the trendiest resto-bars in the city, it’s recommended to make reservations as far in advance as possible. On my visit, it has just the right number of crowd, with ample space to immerse myself in its zen-like ambiance.
Though diners come in for its swanky bar and steaming ramen bowls, on this particularly sunny day, I’m craving a little pick-me-up. Browsing the seasonal Dai San menu, I’m delighted by the abundant choices.
“Because we live in a tropical, humid country, our goal has always been to add some refreshing touches to our menu. For desserts, for instance, we have Japanese Milk Tea Parfait, which is chai ice cream combined with cheese foam and Dango Warabi mochi, all of which are light flavours. Another one is the Hamachi Nigiri with chilli jalapeño salsa. It gives a tang and zest, adding freshness to a full-bodied fish,” explains Chef Lakhan Jethani.
I settle down with a Spinach Ohitashi cocktail, an unusual but utterly delicious medley of miso citrus and spinach. “Mixologists worldwide are having fun with non-traditional, vegetal and savoury ingredients. That has always excited me and our chef pushed me to experiment with spinach in the context of cocktails,” Avantika Malik, the Head Mixologist at Mizu tells me. The Shazu Sour is an equally breezy summer cocktail — a tarty pickled plum and tequila blend, offering irresistible bursts of sweet, savoury and salty notes to tingle your palate.
Mizu also integrates Japanese recipes with local, homegrown ingredients. “In the summer months, we introduce dishes like cold soba noodles with smoked Indian spices such as garam masala,” Chef Lakhan adds.
Kakigori is another must-try. Traditionally topped with melons and golden peaches, this 10th-century Japanese shaved ice dessert gets a regional twist here with Alphonso mango — which is known as ‘the king of mangoes’ for its exquisite taste, texture and nutritional value.
Few pleasures compare to that of a leisurely brunch over Mexican drinks. At POMPA, also located in Bandra, I’m greeted by striking red vertical slats, vibrant tiles and terracotta flooring that keep the whole place cool.
Emerald green elements harmonise with spacious sofa seatings, making them a perfect spot for big groups to socialise. Earthy urns and vintage pots evoke Mexico’s rich pottery tradition, while colourful heritage windows flood the whole space with natural light.
I make myself comfortable at the bar that poses as the centrepiece of the restaurant. It’s a circular, tree-like structure, where I unwind with my Pomparita — a sherry, Cointreau, agave nectar, truffle and tequila-infused delight. The Tea-Quila Spark, featuring Tequila, Earl Gray and pink peppercorn bubbles is equally divine.
POMPA’s tropical ambiance is complemented by its flavourful bar-eats. Start with the OG Guacamole. a light blend of Hass avocados, jalapeño chilli mix and morita powder, paired with homemade blue corn chips. Or, the Salsa Flight, which has seven house-made salsas, including mango habanero, hibiscus and banana hot sauce.
The ceviche selections taste especially fresh this season. Ceviche de Salmón is a combination of salmon, avocado, aji amarillo leche de tigre and cilantro leaves. The Dragon Fruit Ceviche is an exotic creation with dragon fruit, tomato leche de tigre and banana hot sauce.
Don’t forget to inquire about the restaurant’s live Spanish music gigs for an extra touch of pizazz and fiesta to your dining experience.
Perched on the 34th floor of the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Worli, AER lives up to its name as a breezy rooftop bar. It boasts grand vistas that extend across Mumbai’s skyline, treating guests to unforgettable sunsets.
As I relax with a round of sundowner cocktails, I can witness the sun gracefully melt into the sea. From this vantage point, I’m also able to admire a plethora of landmarks, including the historic Haji Ali race course, Nehru Planetarium, Sea Link, Twin Towers and Antilia — home of billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
AER’s plush new interiors are reminiscent of a stylish yacht. A retractable Wimbledon-style roof encloses the entire place within minutes, built to weather both, harsh heat as well as sudden downpours.
Sleek nautical patterns and deck-style loungers invite you to sprawl lazily. Inside, as wicker floor lamps illuminate the evening, I marvel at the whole city shimmering outside.
The bar menu draws inspiration from the shifting and ever-evolving moods of Mumbai’s weather, ocean and sky. On a sunny day, the bartender may recommend the Mumbai Yacht Club, a light, zesty lemony drink. The Spinnaker is another tropical elixir infused with aged rum, absinthe, passion fruit and blackberry. Rain Dance, aptly named, embodies the monsoon showers with a cloudy foam and subtle scents of petrichor.
In Mumbai, the summer heat may be intense, but the city’s social life promises a cool respite.
