Flavour meets feeling at Sundays restobar in Chennai

Sundays launches Navarasa - an emotion based cocktail menu with nine skillfully crafted beverages

In books, films, and real life, drinking has always been intertwined with emotion: From a celebratory toast to drowning one’s sorrows.

Now, Navarasa — Sundays Restobar’s latest cocktail lineup is inspired by the nine human emotions.

Navarasa - nine emotions

Shringara - Love
Hasya - Laughter
Karuna - Sorrow
Raudra - Anger
Veera - Heroism or courage
Bhayanaka - Terror or fear
Bibhatsa - Disgust
Adbutha - Surprise or wonder
Shanta - Peace or tranquility 

For each drink, mixologist Karthik Kumar ensures that every element — base spirit, glassware, ingredients, style, texture, and flavour— encapsulates the emotion it represents.

“Take the cocktail Veera, for instance,” Karthik explains. “It’s made with Toki blended Japanese whisky, agave nectar, barberries, and Rampe or pandan leaf. Each ingredient stands for courage. Japanese whisky itself is a bold spirit; the founders of the Suntory Distillery in Japan took a brave step by blending three of its finest malts, competing in a world dominated by American and European whiskys. Similarly, agave thrives in harsh conditions, and cultivating it requires real courage.”

Veera is a tall, mildly sweet and sour pink cocktail with dominant notes from barberries, complemented by floral hints from hibiscus and pandan. Topped with mint bubbles and served with a crunchy marshmallow bite, this drink is as complex as the emotion it symbolises.

On the savoury side of the spectrum is Bibhatsa, a bold mix made with reposado tequila infused with red, yellow, and green peppers, Falernum syrup, blue salt, hot agave, and cold-pressed pineapple. The drink comes with a spicy rim and is garnished with a fermented, dehydrated black lemon and a bright red wafer. Although the wafer is edible, it is primarily a visual element that gets soggy in the drink.

For those seeking comfort, Karuna offers a twist on the classic espresso martini. Made with vodka, coffee, cold-pressed coconut, Bourbon vanilla, and latte crema, it is a rich and indulgent drink. To balance its bitterness, it is topped with an edible chocolate bark garnish.

Adbutha, a cocktail designed to evoke wonder, tastes like sour candy with a complex hint of mint. It is crafted with reposado tequila, Ceylon tea, chicory, citrus super juice, soft menthol, and a vegan foamer. This intriguing mix is paired with a chocolate-coated banana bread bonbon and garnished with a graphic eye printed on rice paper, adding to the feeling of wonder.

Each cocktail comes with a thoughtfully paired side or topping, designed to complement both the drink’s flavour and the emotion it embodies. “This menu showcases the richness of Indian culture while pushing its boundaries for a global audience,” Karthik says. “That’s why we’ve incorporated ingredients and spirits from around the world, not just India.”

These meticulously crafted cocktails featuring premium spirits, unique glassware, and labour-intensive elements are priced higher than the restobar’s standard offerings. While classics like cosmos and whisky sours remain on the menu, Navarasa cocktails are priced at ₹1,499 each, offering a unique sensory experience for those willing to explore the emotional spectrum, one sip at a time.

Sundays Restobar is located at 101, 6th Street, D Block, Anna Nagar East, Chennai

Published - November 29, 2024 03:01 pm IST