Keep it low, ‘speak easy’ at Cocktails & Dreams

Keep it low, ‘speak easy’ at Cocktails & Dreams 

Bar review: Cocktails & Dreams

Cocktails & Dreams borrows its concept from the 'speakeasy' bars of America during the Prohibition era of the 1920s, a time when a nationwide ban was implemented on the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol. And so, to be in sync with the premises of a hidden nightclub, the bar echoes the hush-hush concept even before you set foot inside.

The entrance is the replica of a prison gate, with a slide-window and a caption-code that says, "Knock 3 times to come in". Of course, there is nothing prison-like inside the bar. There is, in fact, a brilliant counter stacked with tall bottles of liqueurs, colourful concoctions of flavour syrups, jam jars and books about cocktails, teas and bartending. A corner has been dedicated to the American jazz musician Louis Armstrong where local bands are invited to play every so often. But the most striking of all is the wall at the far end that resembles the New York Daily Mirror newspaper cut out with a screaming headline that says, 'Prohibition Ends At Last'.

Welcomed with two colourful and refreshing cocktails, both comprising a potent vodka base, we parked ourselves in one of the wooden benches and waited for our host and the owner of Cocktails & Dreams, Yangdup Lama to join us. Our first drink, Blueberry Bramble, was a luscious mix of vodka mixed with blueberry liqueur, blueberry jam, black grape juice and fresh lime. The second was called Cinnapple Straight, a delicious blend of vodka, cinnamon syrup, apple juice, fresh lime with a huge stick of cinnamon floating in it. But as we sat with our glasses, Yangdup preferred to settle down with a comfortable glass of second flush! "The day has just begun for me", he smiled and began his story.

Yangdup began his career with Hyatt Regency, New Delhi. After running his mobile bartending banner of "Cocktails & Dreams" for 12 long years, he has now established his own bar. He has been behind the counter for some of the most talked about weddings in town - first the Chatwal wedding in 2007 and recently Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor's wedding in 2012. He has also had the privilege of bartending at the sit down dinner for Bill Clinton hosted by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh at his residence in 2005.

Downing the drinks didn't take long and it was soon time for the munchies. A gorgeous platter of chicken steamers (served with tomato-peanut dip and coriander dip), chicken skewers cured in cumin Worcestershire marinade with Tzatziki sour cream, and Pig in a blanket (wet cured bacon wrapped cocktail sausages with anise oil, honey-mustard mayo drizzle) was brought to us. Not to mention, all this came accompanied by Foghorn, one of the twelve signature cocktails of the Prohibition era. Foghorn is originally a mix of gin and ginger ale and a hi-ball style drink. Here, it comes in a chunky glass jar as a blend of Collins with vodka, gingerbread syrup, ginger juice, lime and dry ginger ale built over ice.

Drop by the market of Sector 15, Gurgaon to down a drink or two at Cocktails & Dreams. If you happen to run into Yangdup, do request him to share the fascinating anecdotes of rum runners, moon shiners and boot-leggers from the Prohibition era. And it's not just cocktail stories that he's brilliant at. Yangdup also runs a bartending school for aspiring professionals and is soon going to turn a co-author of a book about cocktails!

Cocktails & Dreams

Venue: Sector 15, Part II, Near Galaxy Hotel, Gurgaon - 122001

Timings: All days open from 5 pm to 12 am

Must try: Take your pick from the twelve signature cocktails of the Prohibition er
a