Martini Master at The Leela Palace in Bangalore Shares Secret Martini Recipes and Mixology Tips that Wow Global Industry Titans and Bollywood Stars

Leela's resident 'martini master,' Manu Mankiandan, who does the unmistakable 'Indian head bob' ­ a jig of sorts as he vigorously shakes his intricately designed cocktails, serves hundreds of martinis including Cumin, Melonpolitan, and the Leela hotel's signature Palace Martini. Manu was recently named the best bartender in Mumbai in a competition held by Belvedere Vodka.

By popular demand, Leela is sharing Mankiandan's most popular martini recipes and mixology tricks so these wonderful libations can be made at home (see below). The list is put together in three categories: sugar, spice and everything nice showcasing how the cocktails can be both pleasing to the eye as well as the palate.

The Library Bar also has a new range of champagnes that feature a few relatively obscure but divine glasses of the bubbly, served with three kinds of caviar: Beluga, Ascetra and Servuga. A selection of champagne cocktails is detailed below.

The Library Bar is adjacent to Leela's world-renowned restaurant, Jamavar, which was recently named by Forbes Magazine one of the World's Top Power Dining Spots. You'll likely find Bill Gates and other global industry moguls (half of Leela's guests are American) talking tech and inking deals there.

It's also popular with preening Bollywood stars and Bangalore's rich and powerful.

Leela's Top Exotic Martinis (Recipes and Lists below)

SUGAR

Melonpolitan
Belvedere Citrus, Melon, Cranberry Juice

Breakfast
Belvedere, Blood Orange, Marmalade

Fruition
Belvedere or Gin, Fresh Fruits, Lime

SPICE

Kalaleny (*see recipe below)
Pepper Vodka, Spiced Honey, Kalamansi

Cumin
Belvedere, Cucumber, Mint

Ginger Cosmopolitan
Belvedere Citrus, Ginger, Cranberry Juice

ALL THINGS NICE

Roasted Fruits Martini
Pineapple, Orange, Lime

Palace Martini (*see recipe below)

RECIPES

The Leela's Palace Martini

2 ounces BELVEDERE VODKA
1 ounce RHODENDRON SYRUP
1 ounce CRANBERRY JUICE
1 ounce BLOOD ORANGE PUREE
2 drops LIME JUICE

Load a cocktail shaker with ice. Add above ingredients, shake thoroughly and pour into a chilled martini glass. Serve with a garnish of gold leaf.


The Leela's Kaleney Martini


QTY UNIT INGREDIENT
3 ounces Peppar vodka
1 ounce Ginger juice
1 ounce Honey
1/2 ounce Kalamansi Puree Crushed Pepper
1 Star Anise

Mix all ingredients in a shaker along with four cubes of ice. Shake three times. Strain and pour half into a cocktail glass. Serve the balance in the shaker alongside the glass. Garnish with a star anise.

CHAMPAGNE

Top Champagnes:

Pol Roger, Reserve, Brut N.V
Bollinger, Special cuvee N V
Pommery, Brut Royal N.V
Nicolas Feuillate, Brut N.V
Moët & Chandon, Brut Impérial N.V
Dom Pérignon by Moët & Chandon, Millésime, 1998 Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial N.V Krug, Grande Cuvée N.V Louis Roederer, Brut Premier N.V Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Brut Cuvée N.V Laurent Perrier, Brut, N.V

ROSE

Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon Cuvée Rosé, 1996 Laurent Perrier, Cuvee Rose, N.V Moët & Chandon, Brut Impérial Rosé N.V Champagne Cocktails Classic with a Twist Champagne, Campari & Sugar

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

Royalé
Champagne, Cognac, Grand Marnier,

Passion
Champagne & Passion Fruit

French 75
Champagne, Gin, Lime

Portfizz
Champagne, Port


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