RR Recommended: Rakshay Dhariwal's Favourite Summer Sips From Around The World

Few people have had as much influence on India's modern cocktail culture as Rakshay Dhariwal. As the founder of Pass Code Hospitality (the group behind acclaimed bars and restaurants including PCO, Ping's Cafe Orient, SAZ and Jamun) and the force behind India Cocktail Week, he has spent over a decade championing thoughtful drinking experiences. 

His entrepreneurial journey also led him to create Maya Pistola Agavepura, Asia's first aged 100 per cent agave spirit. But beyond building brands, Dhariwal remains a passionate traveller, always seeking out bars that capture the flavour of a city in a single glass. 

From London and Florence to Bangkok and Singapore, he shares the summer cocktails he keeps returning to, with Robb Report India. 

Pistachio Sour at Brigadiers, London

London's cocktail scene never disappoints, but Brigadiers has become one of his regular stops whenever he is in the city. Inspired by the traditional army messes of India, the restaurant balances robust Indian flavours with one of London's most exciting bar programmes. 

“The Pistachio Sour, part of their summer menu, is everything I look for in a drink. It's bright, creamy and beautifully textured, with just enough nuttiness to give it depth without feeling heavy,” says Dhariwal. He feels it's the kind of cocktail that makes one slow down and savour the moment, especially if you are looking to escape London's warm summer afternoons.

The Pesto Diaries at Ginger Lily, Singapore

Singapore has some of the most fun bar programmes in the world, and Ginger Lily at the Hilton Singapore Orchard is proof of that. “The Pesto Diaries immediately catches your eye with its playful jelly alphabet garnish, but what really stands out is its impeccable balance,” says Dhariwal. “It's fresh, herbaceous and incredibly refreshing without ever becoming overpowering.

That's exactly the kind of cocktail he finds himself craving to deal with Singapore's humidity. 

Mezcal Negroni at Locale Firenze, Florence

After spending the day wandering Florence's cobbled streets, galleries and piazzas, there's nothing quite like ending the evening at Locale Firenze, believes Dhariwal. Housed inside a restored Renaissance palace, the bar has an atmosphere that's equal parts historic and contemporary. 

“Their off-menu Mezcal Negroni has become something of a ritual for me. The smoky complexity of mezcal gives fresh life to a classic, making it the perfect aperitivo before dinner,” he adds. 

Susegad at Jhol, Bangkok

Jhol beautifully interprets India's coastal flavours through a contemporary lens, and every visit reminds him how seamlessly Indian ingredients can shine in modern cocktails. 

The Susegad combines Alphonso mango purée with yoghurt clarification before finishing with a salted feni foam, resulting in a drink that's tropical, savoury and wonderfully textured. “Whenever I'm in Bangkok and missing Goa, this is the cocktail I order first,” he smiles. 

Lokalism at Barro Negro, Athens

Athens has become one of Europe's most promising cocktail cities, and Barro Negro perfectly reflects that energy. The Lokalism is deeply savoury, layered with umami and full of Mediterranean character. 

“It's one of those drinks that genuinely tells the story of its surroundings; you almost feel like you're tasting Athens itself. That's something I always look for when travelling: cocktails that couldn't exist anywhere else,” says Dhariwal. 

Oddly Done Gochujang at AABBCC, Delhi

Delhi's cocktail scene has evolved tremendously over the past decade, and AABBCC represents that fearless experimentation. 

“The Oddly Done Gochujang is bold, spicy and completely unexpected. The Korean chilli paste brings an unmistakable kick, yet the drink remains elegant and remarkably balanced,” reiterates Dhariwal. “It's exactly the kind of innovation that keeps India's bar scene moving forward while proving that great cocktails don't have to follow convention.”