If you are one of those looking for something more to beat the hot and sticky summer heat than a straight-up whiskey or a chilled beer, then this list of the best cocktail places is for you. While it's relatively easier to find the traditional drinks, very few places mix the perfect cocktails that not only pack a punch, but also push you to order a second.
To make it a little bit easier, I've put down the cost of a Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT) – only the most popular cocktail ever – at all 10 restaurants to help you draw a comparison. So bookmark this list and your summer is sorted!
1. The Black Rabbit
Must-try cocktails: The Porn Star, a concoction made of kiwi, rose and vodka; Watermelon Martini and Choco Loco, which has kahlua, vodka and vanilla ice-cream!
Cost of a Long Island Iced Tea: Rs 375
Where: 770, Escape Square, 12th Main, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar
Contact: 090660 31156
2. Toast and Tonic
Must-try cocktails: The Garden Tonic, with capsicum and rosemary; Bacon Old Fashioned, classic drink with a twist of bacon bourbon and Citrus and Basil Tonic.
Cost of an LIIT: Rs 490
Where: 14/1, Wood Street, Ashok Nagar, Richmond Road
Contact: 080 4111 6879
3. Hangover
Must-try cocktails: Long Live Patrick, vodka-based cocktail with kiwi and ginger, cinnamon, thyme and rosemary; White Wine Sangria and Mai Tai.
Cost of an LIIT: Rs 525
Where: 1080, 12th Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar
Contact: 080 4965 3264
4. High
Must-try cocktails: Inception, described as a deep, savoury, rich whiskey potion with rosemary, vanilla, fresh pineapple and earl grey tea with smokey flavours; Constellation, gin-based with purple flowers and their range of spice-infused cocktails.
Cost of an LIIT: Rs 750
Where: 26/1, 31st Floor, Dr. Rajkumar Road, World Trade Centre, Brigade Gateway Campus, Malleshwaram
Contact: 080 4567 4567
5. Fenny's
Must-try cocktails: Maldai Mango, a vodka drink with aam panna and Bangkok Paradise, a spicy concoction with green chilly and lemon grass.
Cost of an LIIT: Rs 375
Where: 115, 3rd Floor, 7th Block, Opposte Raheja Arcade, Koramangala
Contact: 090360 82911
6. Shiro
Must-try cocktails: The Secret Garden, an apple soaked mojito; Yamaguchi Sunset, a gin-based drink with peach and burnt orange chunks, and their seasonal range of cocktails.
Cost of an LIIT: Rs 650
Where: 2nd Floor, UB City Mall, Vittal Mallya Road, Lavelle Road
Contact: 090660 25211
7. Drinks - Cocktails & Conversation
Must-try cocktails: All those listed under Alfonso's Alchemy, which are basically fantastic concoctions mixed by celebrity bartender Alfonso, who is from Spain.
Cost of an LIIT: Rs 500
Where: 114/1, Sai Complex, MG Road
Contact: 080-4112 3512
8. Three Dots and A Dash
Must-try cocktails: Their signature drink, Three Dots and A Dash, with white rum, brandy, apple juice, red bull.
Cost of an LIIT: Rs 425
Where: 840/1,100 Feet Road, Metro Pillar 56-57, Indiranagar
Contact: 080 49652907
9. The Glass House
Must-try cocktails: Try their 'give us a base, and we'll turn it into a cocktail' selection.
Cost of an LIIT: Rs 445
Where: 25/2, Lavelle Road
Contact: 080 65419999
10. Skyye Bar
Must-try cocktails: Twilight Bikinis, a fruit-based drink with orange vodka, peach schnapps, mango and apricot
Cost of an LIIT: Rs 600
Where: Uber Level, 16th Floor, UB City, Vittal Mallya Road, Lavelle Road
Contact: 080 49090000
What is your favourite place for cocktails? Is it on this list? Tell me in the comments below.