Elevating the Mixology Scene: The Blossoming Cocktail Culture in Nepal
Unique Nepali Cocktails Elevate Kathmandu's Bar Scene
Kathmandu's bar scene has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with a new wave of cocktail bars creating unique Nepali cocktails that blend global mixology skills with indigenous ingredients and culinary influences from the country's ethnic communities.
This trend began around 2021, with bars such as Barc, Bitters & Co, and Blackbird leading the charge. These establishments have shifted Kathmandu's cocktail culture away from overly sweet or strong drinks to more nuanced, well-balanced cocktails.
One key feature of these cocktails is the use of traditional Nepali ingredients. Bartenders draw inspiration from ethnic groups like the Rai, Thakali, Sherpa, and Newari communities, incorporating traditional flavor elements such as Mix Achar (Nepali pickles), Choyela (Newari spiced meat), or Wachipa (Rai fermented meat) into innovative drinks.
Another notable aspect is the incorporation of local spirits and flavors that reflect Nepali culinary culture. Bars like Barc pair cocktails with Nepali cuisine, creating a holistic dining and drinking experience that celebrates local taste profiles.
The rise of this refined, balanced cocktail scene is a result of Kathmandu bartenders bringing global cocktail techniques to local ingredients, thus elevating Nepal’s beverage culture in line with international trends but rooted in local tradition and produce.
A prime example of this is Tuladhar's bar, Barc, which recently won the prestigious Asia's 50 Best Bars' Michter's Art Of Hospitality Award. Barc's menu features local ingredients such as tea from Ilam, street favorites like titaura and khattu, and local rice spirit aila.
Veteran Indian bartender Yangdup Lama has designed the cocktail menu of the newly opened Old House in Kathmandu. Lama, who is known for his work at bars like Singapore's Native and New York's PDT, is using his global experience to create cocktails that showcase Nepal’s rich food heritage.
The struggle to find ingredients in Nepal has forced the cocktail industry to be creative. Bartenders like Rabin Gurung, co-founder of the bar Bitters & Co, have started producing several ingredients from scratch, including special bubble-less clear ice, house bitters, and syrups infused with local botanicals like rhododendron.
Until recently, cocktails were not popular in Kathmandu, often overshadowed by beers or straight spirits. However, the growing curiosity among Nepali drinkers and tourists alike is at the heart of a fast-evolving cocktail scene in Kathmandu.
Nepal's rich culture and incredible ingredients, combined with the passion of its people, make its emerging bar scene truly unique. The growing interest in cocktails is driving new investments, creating more stable job opportunities for bartenders in Nepal.
In summary, the unique Nepali cocktails emerging in Kathmandu's new cocktail bars blend global mixology skills with indigenous ingredients and culinary influences from Nepal's ethnic communities, creating distinctive drinks that honor local tradition while appealing to modern palates. This trend, led by a new generation of bartenders, is transforming Kathmandu's bar scene and putting Nepal on the global cocktail map.
[1] The Kathmandu Post [2] The Himalayan Times [3] Asia's 50 Best Bars [4] Nepali Times
India's rich culture, alongside Nepal's unique ingredients and culinary influences, could inspire a new wave of innovative cocktails in Kathmandu, drawing inspiration from neighboring communities like the Rai, Thakali, Sherpa, and Newari. This trend, informed by global cocktail techniques, could mirror Nepal's dining scene and further elevate Kathmandu's bar scene, attracting attention not only from locals but also from international tourists.
Bartenders in India, with their global experience and skills, could bring fresh perspectives to Nepal's bar industry, much like veteran Indian bartender Yangdup Lama has done with the cocktail menu of Old House in Kathmandu. By showcasing Nepal’s rich food heritage and honoring local tradition, these innovations could put Nepal on the global cocktail map, similar to Kathmandu's current rise in the international cocktail scene.
