Lifestyle, StartUps, Wellness

The Finest Premix Cocktails to High-ten your Spirits

The party season should be about having fun without waiting. Backyard parties are no longer a stressful task for the host; everything becomes easier when the top cocktail premix brands are brought to the bar counter. Bidisha Barik has some amazing premix cocktail brands that only require a few components to get you on the dance floor. Vaishali Mehta, Co-Founder of SWA Artisanal Syrups, spills the beans on the challenges that came with being a seven-month pregnant woman starting a cocktail company and how there is still a deep-rooted prejudice against women owning a start-up in the cocktail sector.

Food and flavour have been the principal topics of conversation for Vaishali Mehta both at and away from the dinner table. A Gujarati born and raised in Calcutta, her employment led her to New York, where she was astounded by the freshness of the ingredients utilised in their drinks. Despite India’s abundance of natural produce, she was astonished to find artificial, imported, and preservative-filled concentrates peddled in the name of taste and unique flavours. She was adamant about giving Indian fruits and products the respect they deserved. SWA was created when she combined this with her desire to work for women’s skill development.

A person wearing glasses

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Co-Founder of SWA Artisanal Syrups – Vaishali Mehta

How did the idea of working in the cocktail sector strike you?

I’ve always wanted to start a business in the food & beverage industry, but my determination strengthened after I was let off from a promising job after being pregnant. I noticed that women are replaced in the workplace once they become pregnant or are on maternity leave. Becoming a mother and the desire to create something unique, to convey via my acts that women are far more powerful and capable than society portrays got me here. When I was seven months pregnant, I began my SWA journey. I’m grateful for the traumatic experience I had to go through while still enjoying the most beautiful moments of parenting; the tragedy let me realise my mission more clearly.

There are taboos deeply rooted against women. Do you agree?

Women are still laid back about marking financial independence on their own. It is important to understand that to break the deeply rooted taboos, we those taboos through our actions. Our grannies fought to undo parda and ghonghat, our moms fought to take charge of their education and ours. We take it to next level and claim the board rooms.

There is a way of life that many educated women, including myself, fall back on from time to time. Believe it or not, I didn’t have a credit card until around 6 months ago. When I spoke with someone, they claimed that 85 per cent of their clientele (basically credit card holders) are men.

A group of people raising their hands

Description automatically generated

SWA women-crew

Referring to the social stigma of labelling women as “socially-conditioning” she says, “Sub-consciously we have wired ourselves to be a certain way.”

What makes SWA Artisanal Syrups stand out?

Most of us have used artificial, imported, and preservative-filled concentrates in the name of taste and exotic flavours. Living in a country filled with a rich variety of natural products, it is surprising that we’ve had to rely heavily on artificial flavours so far. SWA Artisanal Syrups are 100% natural, free of any added preservatives, colours, or artificial flavours. They make delicious cocktails, mocktails, iced teas and craft coffees. We are a woman-owned and run company. Each SWA bottle is hand-crafted in small batches by women trained under a skill upliftment program.

SWA Signature Ready-To-Mix Blends:

Hibiscus Tea
Jamun Kalakhatta
Lemon Ginger Naariyal Paani
Summer Berries
Passionfruit Tea
Tamarind Shikanji

Find SWA at:

HORECA places pan-India –

BlueTokai
Third Wave Coffee Roasters
Toit
Druid Garden
Carnatic Café

Online Retail –

drinkswa.com
Amazon
Big Basket

Quick Takes!

Her cocktail recommendations are a resounding yes!

1. What’s your go-to cocktail for a party?

With some SWA hibiscus tea, make a gin and tonic.

2. What was the one recipe that made your spirits high?

45 ml gin, 10 ml lemon juice, 20 ml SWA Hibiscus Tea or SWA Mango Passion, tonic water, or soda on the rocks, and plenty of ice. Anywhere and anytime you want to feel like you’re in the tropics.

3. Flavour premixes that you can’t go wrong with?

For Indians who live in a tropical nation that is hot most of the year, fruity, sweet, and zesty flavours are our favourites, and adding a hint of spice is the icing on the cake. We may not appreciate particularly powerful classic cocktails as a culture. SWA Guava Chilli and SWA Jamun Kalakhatta are two of my favourite beverages. We also enjoy experimenting, and SWA pre-mixes enable us to do so. Make a drink, either a cocktail or a mocktail. Everyone is happy.

The best premix brands that will spice up your glass are here!

1.Svami Drinks:

As an alternative to spirits, this company just released ready-to-drink non-alcoholic drinks. Their non-alcoholic Rum & Cola, non-alcoholic Gin & Tonic, and non-alcoholic Pink Gin & Tonic are the first three items in this category.

The Svami Light Tonic, Svami Grapefruit Tonic, Svami Cucumber Tonic, and Svami Original Tonic, among others, are among Svami Drinks’ mixers that combine nicely with gins, whiskeys, coffee, or any other inventive combination.

Cocktail mixers that'll make your house party an instant hit

5 best non-alcoholic drinks, and the brands serving them, in India right now | GQ India

2.&Stirred:

This is all it takes for a fantastic Sunday brunch to suit your distinctive Bloody Mary flavour. Tomato purée, lemon, pepper, celery, and various spices make up this ready-to-drink mix. In &Stirred, you’ll find a broad variety of cocktail premixes that won’t let you down.

7 cocktail premixes to try when you're missing your favourite bar | Vogue India

Get Pre-Mix For Cocktails By &Stirred at ₹ 499 | LBB Shop

3.Jimmy’s Cocktails:

The Cosmopolitan from Jimmy’s Cocktails is made with Danish cranberries, Persian limes, orange, and a touch of triple sec. The low-calorie premixes are made with high-quality natural ingredients and no artificial sweeteners by some of India’s greatest mixologists. They come in vibrant, eye-catching bottles, and each bottle makes two beverages.

Buy Cocktail Mixers Online At Jimmy's Cocktails | LBB, Delhi

Assorted Cocktail Mixed Pack - Buy The Best Cocktail Mix Pack Online in India at Best Price – Jimmy's Cocktails

We’re all ready to ace the new season now, without having to rush through mixing ingredients or being confused about drinks. Simply combine your favourite flavours from these top premix cocktail brands.

December 30, 2021

From Dam to Dish: How Dam Good Fish Is Transforming India’s Seafood Industry

With rising awareness around clean eating and traceable food sources, Dam Good Fish is rethinking how fresh seafood reaches urban consumers. Co-founders Shobhit Gaur and Shailesh Patel share how their unlikely partnership, built on complementary strengths in branding and aquaculture, led to a venture that prioritises natural sourcing, transparency, and freshness in India’s rapidly growing seafood market. Tell us a little about yourselves, your backgrounds, and personalities. Shobhit Gaur (Co-Founder & CEO):With a Master’s in Business Management and several years as National Head at a leading advertising agency, my career has always combined creativity with strategy. I see myself as a big-picture thinker who enjoys building disruptive ideas in traditionally unorganised markets. I’m naturally outgoing and enjoy exploring new concepts, whether in business or food culture. When I’m not working, I’m usually tracking food trends or spending time working out. Shailesh Patel (Co-Founder):My background is rooted in science, followed by a Master’s degree in business. Over the past decade, I’ve worked with multinational organisations and helped build ventures centred around sustainable solutions. I’m very hands-on and detail-oriented, someone who thrives on execution. For me, strategy must always be backed by strong ethics and measurable results. How did two people from different professional worlds come together to build a venture centred around fresh, natural seafood? Our paths crossed through shared sporting networks, where casual conversations gradually shifted toward food, health, and sustainability. Shobhit’s expertise in media and branding combined naturally with my background in aquaculture. As we discussed clean-label foods and the gaps in India’s seafood ecosystem, it became clear there was a real opportunity. In 2023, we decided to bootstrap Dam Good Fish. The idea was simple: combine strong storytelling and consumer awareness with operational expertise that ensures traceability and quality. Our complementary skill sets helped turn that idea into

Wellness

A Slower Side of Goa: Elements by Rosetta and Evenings at Ouzo Delmar

There’s a version of Goa that doesn’t try too hard to be seen. It’s quieter, a little more contained, and far more rewarding if you let yourself slow down. That’s the space Elements by Rosetta fits into. Set in Varca, slightly removed from the busier stretches, the property feels designed to hold you in, not isolate you, but gently detach you from everything outside. You’re close enough to the beach, but not constantly aware of it. Instead, the focus stays within, on space, light, and how you move through it. The layout is simple but effective. Low-rise blocks frame a central pool that becomes the heart of the property. Most rooms face into it, so no matter where you are, there’s always a visual connection to water. Check-in is smooth, without the usual over-explaining. You’re handed fresh coconut water, branded, yes, but still refreshing enough to land in your room, within minutes. Room tariffs typically range from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000, with higher rates for premium categories. The jacuzzi room with direct pool access is easily the one to pick. It changes the way you use the space entirely. You’re not scheduling pool time, you’re stepping in and out of it between everything else. The pool itself carries most of the day’s energy. Some people are stretched out with books, some in the water, others parked by the poolside bar, which adds just enough movement to keep things from feeling too still. It never tips into being loud, which is what makes it work. Mornings are slow. Afternoons are slower. Evenings naturally find their way back to the jacuzzi or a quiet corner of the property. It’s indulgent, but in a way that doesn’t feel forced. Beyond the obvious, the property is fairly well-rounded. There’s a small game room, a gym,

Wellness

Eat Clean with Eshanka: Dubai to Delhi Wellness Journey

With her professional base in Dubai and strong roots in Delhi, Eshanka Wahi brings together global business acumen and deeply personal purpose. An alumna of the European Business School, London, where she earned her Master’s in International Business, and a BCom (Honours) graduate from Delhi University, her academic foundation is firmly strategic. But her real education, she says, came from lived experience. At 21, she returned to India to build her first company from the ground up. “Those early years taught me resilience, decision-making, and the courage to build something from scratch,” she reflects. By 23, she had expanded independently into Dubai, navigating a new culture and market. Each transition strengthened her belief in “intentional growth, self-leadership, and manifestation backed by consistent action.” Wellness as Philosophy Eshanka describes her professional identity as rooted in holistic wellness, conscious living, and culinary nutrition. “My work is not confined to a single title; it is an extension of my beliefs and the way I choose to live,” she shares. Her journey into wellness unfolded organically. What began as personal exploration evolved into a calling. “Wellness was never just an interest; it was a philosophy and a responsibility.” Through recipes, products, and immersive experiences, she aims to simplify well-being. “Wellbeing is not a luxury; it is foundational to how we show up in every role we play.” Soul-Driven Creation What distinguishes her brand is alignment. “Everything I create is deeply soul-driven,” she says. Nothing is trend-led or mechanical. Her recipes use ingredients she personally trusts; her products reflect practices she follows; her retreats are designed to foster genuine reconnection. “This alignment between my beliefs, my lifestyle, and my work naturally differentiates me,” she explains. “Everything is built from authenticity, intention, and soul.” A Pandemic Pivot During COVID-19, her primary company in corporate events and

Lifestyle

CINTA & Pantai Pura Founder Rupika Harshwardhan P

For Rupika Harshwardhan P, design has never been merely aesthetics; it is emotional architecture. A graduate of Srishti School of Art and Design, with further studies in art history at Chitrakala Parishad, her education trained her to see spaces as layered narratives shaped by material, form, and feeling. An early internship at Elle Decor India proved pivotal. It offered her an insider’s view of the design industry and crystallised a quiet but firm decision: she would not simply participate in design, she would build something of her own. Drawn instinctively to craft traditions and handmade objects, Rupika’s understanding of “home” is rooted in belonging. For her, furniture is not functional; it is memory made tangible. Brands Built on Meaning Rupika is the Founder and Creative Director of CINTA and Pantai Pura. CINTA, meaning “love,” is a children’s home décor brand centred on imagination and family bonds. Pantai Pura, “Sacred Beach,” explores natural harmony and mindful living. “I didn’t create these brands just to sell furniture,” she explains. “I wanted to change how we see materials and craftsmanship.” Her work bridges tradition and modernity, connecting artisan communities with contemporary homes. Particularly through CINTA, she reflects on how a child’s first furniture piece can become part of their emotional blueprint. Reimagining Rattan At the core of her practice is rattan, a material she champions for its agility, durability, and quiet elegance. Challenging misconceptions that it is dated or interchangeable with bamboo, Rupika reinterprets rattan through a contemporary lens while honouring traditional craft. Her approach rests on three pillars: craftsmanship, co-creation, and community. Designs are developed collaboratively with artisans, resulting in bespoke pieces that respond to real homes rather than fleeting trends. “Design is a conversation, not a monologue,” she says. From Online Beginnings to Experiential Spaces Both brands began online, where one