Delhi’s cocktail culture has witnessed a cultural renaissance of late, with an increasing number of its residents opting for edgy establishments serving unexpected artisanal blends over the regular Hauz Khas hotspots. Despite their ultra-mod exteriors, these bars and lounges tend to highlight the capital’s rich heritage through its curated menus and cultural programmes. Delhi’s best bars include an array of artisanal cocktails and open-air rooftop saloons offering panoramic views of its iconic landmarks Sidecar, Delhi Nestled within the bustling hub of Greater Kailash II in South Delhi, this artisanal cocktail bar run by star mixologist Yangdup Lama and entrepreneur Minakshi Singh, the duo behind the award-winning Cocktails & Dreams, Speakeasy, was the first Indian establishment to break into the World's 50 Best Bars listing, where it ranked 26th. The property spills over two floors, the first offering an easygoing day space with a bookstore by Hachette where guests can browse, read, and buy a curated list of books, while sipping on some homegrown coffee blends (with their latest partnering with Subko, one of the country’s current best specialty coffee roasters and craft bakehouses). A floor above is where the magic (of mixology) happens. A sleek wooden bar, packed with exciting ingredients, innovative concoctions, and signature cocktails (some classic, some seasonal and most craft), as well as zero proof and low proof drinks, runs across the main wall. The team responsible for stirring up the concoctions pay homage to the city’s local produce, by sourcing and using homegrown ingredients to create their own bitters, syrups, grogs, and tinctures. The vision is simple enough — to produce some of the finest craft cocktails in India. A diversified cocktail menu The bar’s latest signature menu doubles up as a collective travelogue, spotlighting exciting destination-based cocktails from 12 exciting locations. Special mentions include Malaysia’s ‘Batik’, made of Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Lacto pineapple kaffir lemongrass cordial, and blue pea infused wine; Bangkok’s ‘Tuk Tuk’ that comes with yellow curry sous vide Patrón Reposado and Elephant apple cordial, and Sri Lanka’s ‘Ceylon’ that mixes Vodka, Miso coconut coffee liqueur, truffle, and cold brew. Aside from this, the bar also serves ‘The Best of Dear Delhi’, with cocktails like ‘Connaught’ (Blended malt whisky, Karachi biscuit, crimson beet, blueberry puree, Sidecar coffee liquor and espresso), Delhi 6 made up of Vodka, Roohafza, fresh watermelon, ginger, lime, coconut milk wash and rose chocolate, and ‘Sadar Bazaar’, which includes cognac blend, lemon juice, sandalwood, laccha supari and orange blossom water. Sidecar is also a hub of cultural events, with the main room boasting of a live band area, hosting resident and guest bands playing a mix of blues, country and rock and roll every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. It also offers a string of fun activities like coffee-making workshops, quiz nights, book readings, and more. The extensive food menu has been curated to suit international palates, with a special nod to comfort dishes from Asia and Europe like fresh salads, light eats, wholesome grills, and bowls that help soak up all the cocktails you are bound to order. In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, Sidecar uses only seasonal and local ingredients, and offers steel straws for all their drinks, while also reusing all bottles for the in-house purees and tinctures made by the team. Sidecar India M29, GK2, M Block Market, Greater Kailash-2, New Delhi - 110048 Timings: Monday to Sunday (10 am to 1 am) Cirrus 9, Delhi Fans of the city’s dual nature — that is, its old world charm and buzzy nightlife — are hardly pressed for options, but it’s rare to find a mix of both experiences in one destination. Cirrus 9, the open-air rooftop bar at Oberoi Hotels & Resorts bridges this particular cultural gap. Perched atop the heritage property at the heart of Delhi, the rooftop bar offers stunning panoramic views of the city’s skyline, including historic landmarks like Humayun’s Tomb and the Delhi Golf Course. Signature Skyline Cocktail Menu A few months ago, the bar tied up with Giancarlo Mancino, one of the world’s most celebrated bar and beverage consultants, to create a cocktail menu that spins stories around the city’s history, culture, and artistry. The extensive lineup includes exciting concoctions like ‘Heritage Greens’, a coconut milk punch cocktail reflecting the tranquil beauty of Sunder Nursery, ‘Haat Haven’, a rum-based mix that captures the vibrant spirit of Dilli Haat, ‘The Quila Legacy’, a tequila-based creation honouring the grandeur of Purana Qila and’ Lutyens’ Elegance’, a highball which captures the exclusivity of the Lutyens zone. Some of these (mentioned) landmarks can be seen from the venue, with the drinks made from premium ingredients and served in bespoke 3D, 90 per cent sustainable glassware. The bespoke cocktails blend traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, with each drink drawing inspiration from the city’s storied heritage. The starting price of most of these signature blends is Rs 2,000 (plus taxes). Cirrus 9, The Oberoi Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110003 Timings: Monday to Sunday (5pm to 1 am)