20 Cocktails With Recipes to Brighten Your Tihar

 20 Cocktails That Bring You Joy This Tihar

Festive cocktails with diyos and lights during Tihar celebration
Raise your glass this Tihar with colorful, refreshing cocktails and happy moments.


Tihar, the festival of lights, music, and togetherness, is one of the most vibrant celebrations in Nepal. It’s a time when homes glow with diyos, families gather to share love and blessings, and every evening turns into a lively party filled with laughter, songs, and delicious food. And what’s a festive evening without a joyful drink to match the mood?

If you’re looking to elevate your Tihar celebrations, here are 20 cocktails from refreshing classics to local-inspired blends that can light up your festive nights with flavor and cheer.

1. Classic Mojito

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml white rum
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Soda water & ice

Method:

Muddle mint leaves and sugar with lime juice. Add rum and ice, top with soda, stir gently, and garnish with mint.

A refreshing start to any celebration, the Mojito combines white rum, mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, and soda water. Its crisp, cooling taste makes it perfect for lively Tihar evenings.

2. Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml tequila
  • 30 ml triple sec
  • 30 ml lime juice
  • Salt for rim

Method:

Shake all liquids with ice, strain into a salt-rimmed glass, and serve chilled.

A timeless favorite, tequila, triple sec, and lime juice come together for a sweet and tangy mix. Add a salted rim and you have a festive sparkle in every sip.

3. Cosmopolitan

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml vodka
  • 30 ml cranberry juice
  • 15 ml lime juice
  • 15 ml triple sec

Method:

Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.

Stylish and fruity, the Cosmopolitan blends vodka, cranberry juice, lime, and triple sec. It’s perfect for gatherings where friends toast under flickering diyos.

4. Whiskey Sour

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml whiskey
  • 30 ml lemon juice
  • 15 ml sugar syrup

Method:

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass over ice cubes.

For whiskey lovers, this blend of whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar syrup offers a smooth yet tangy balance-ideal for cozy Tihar nights with good music.

5. Piña Colada

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml white rum
  • 90 ml pineapple juice
  • 30 ml coconut cream

Method:

Blend all ingredients with ice until smooth. Serve in a tall glass and top with a pineapple slice.

Bring tropical vibes into the celebration with this creamy mix of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. Every sip feels like a mini vacation during the holidays.

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6. Blue Lagoon

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml vodka
  • 15 ml blue curaçao
  • 120 ml lemonade

Method:

Add all ingredients to a glass with ice, stir gently, and garnish with lemon.

Add a splash of color to your Tihar table. Mix vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade for a drink as vibrant as the rangoli designs outside your door.

7. Mai Tai

  • 30 ml dark rum
  • 30 ml light rum
  • 15 ml orange curaçao
  • 15 ml lime juice
  • 10 ml almond syrup

Method:

Shake with ice, strain into a glass, and decorate with a mint sprig or lime.

This Polynesian delight features dark and light rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and almond syrup-a sweet and exotic twist that pairs beautifully with festive snacks.

8. Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml gin
  • 120 ml tonic water
  • Lime wedges & ice

Method:

Pour gin into a glass, add ice, fill with tonic, and garnish with lime.

Simple yet sophisticated, a classic gin and tonic with lime wedges is perfect for light drinkers who prefer crisp, herbal flavors.

9. Rum Punch

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml dark rum
  • 60 ml pineapple juice
  • 60 ml orange juice
  • 15 ml lime juice
  • Dash of grenadine

Method:

Mix all in a shaker, pour over ice, and garnish with orange slices.

A party favorite, Rum Punch combines dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime, and grenadine syrup. It’s fruity, colorful, and full of festive energy.

10. Tequila Sunrise

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml tequila
  • 90 ml orange juice
  • 15 ml grenadine syrup

Method:

Pour tequila and juice over ice, then slowly add grenadine for a layered “sunrise” effect.

The beautiful orange-red gradient of this drink made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine looks just like a glowing Tihar morning sky.

11. Apple Cider Sangria

Ingredients:

  • 250 ml apple cider
  • 250 ml white wine
  • 30 ml brandy
  • Sliced apples and oranges

Method:

Combine in a jug, chill for an hour, and serve cold with fruit pieces.

A cozy, autumn-inspired cocktail with white wine, apple cider, brandy, and chopped fruits. It’s comforting and joyful-perfect for Bhai Tika gatherings.

12. Strawberry Daiquiri

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml rum
  • 6 strawberries
  • 30 ml lime juice
  • 15 ml sugar syrup

Method:

Blend all with ice until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass and top with strawberry slices.

This frozen cocktail of rum, strawberries, lime juice, and sugar is a sweet delight for dessert lovers. Add a sugared rim for extra festivity!

13. Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml vodka
  • 30 ml espresso
  • 15 ml coffee liqueur

Method:

Shake hard with ice for a frothy top. Strain into a martini glass.

For those late-night card games and music sessions, this mix of vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur will keep your spirits high (literally!).

14. Lemon Basil Smash

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml gin
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Soda water

Method:

Muddle basil and lemon juice, add gin and ice, top with soda, and garnish with basil.

This refreshing modern cocktail blends gin, fresh lemon, basil, and soda-a burst of herbal freshness that feels like a clean start to the festive season.

15. Cranberry Mule

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml vodka
  • 30 ml cranberry juice
  • 15 ml lime juice
  • Ginger beer

Method:

Combine all in a copper mug with ice and top with ginger beer.

A twist on the Moscow Mule, this version uses vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, and cranberry juice-a perfect Tihar-red drink to match the decor.

16. Local Delight: Khukuri Spiced Rum Mix

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml Khukuri Rum
  • 20 ml honey
  • 15 ml lemon juice
  • Pinch of cinnamon

Method:

Shake with ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Celebrate Nepali flavor with Khukuri Rum, lemon juice, honey, and a hint of cinnamon. It’s bold, warm, and truly festive-made for Tihar nights with family.

17. Mango Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml tequila
  • 60 ml mango pulp
  • 30 ml lime juice
  • 15 ml triple sec

Method:

Blend with ice until smooth, pour into a glass, and rim with chili salt for a twist.

Add a tropical Nepali touch using mango pulp, tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. It’s sweet, tangy, and an instant mood booster.

18. Watermelon Cooler

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml vodka
  • 120 ml watermelon juice
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Lime juice

Method:

Shake all ingredients with ice, strain, and garnish with a mint sprig.

Blend vodka, watermelon juice, mint, and lime for a light, fruity cocktail. Refreshing, hydrating, and ideal for outdoor celebrations.

19. Passion Fruit Martini

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml vodka
  • 30 ml passion fruit pulp
  • 15 ml vanilla syrup
  • 15 ml lime juice

Method:

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with half a passion fruit.

A mix of vodka, passion fruit pulp, lime, and vanilla syrup, this cocktail offers exotic flavors and a stunning golden hue-just like the glow of diyos.

20. Sparkling Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic Option)

Ingredients:

  • 120 ml orange juice
  • 60 ml soda or sparkling water
  • Pomegranate seeds & mint

Method:

Mix gently in a glass with ice and top with mint leaves.

Not everyone drinks, and Tihar is about inclusion. Mix sparkling water, orange juice, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves for a beautiful, fizzy mocktail that everyone can enjoy.

Tips for a Joyful and Responsible Celebration

1. Balance your drinks: Alternate between cocktails and water to stay hydrated.

2. Use fresh ingredients: Fresh fruits and herbs elevate flavors and give your drinks a vibrant touch.

3. Decorate your glasses: Add sugar rims, fruit slices, or even tiny diyos beside the serving area for festive flair.

4. Serve snacks wisely: Pair cocktails with light bites like chana chatpate, roasted peanuts, or barbecued snacks for the perfect combo.

5. Drink responsibly: Always know your limit and ensure everyone gets home safely.

Celebrate the Light, the Music, and the Moment

Tihar isn’t just about lights-it’s about sharing happiness, creating memories, and feeling gratitude for the bonds that make life brighter. Whether you’re mixing a fancy cocktail or enjoying a simple mocktail, let every sip remind you of the joy and togetherness this festival brings.

So, light up your diyos, turn on your favorite music, and raise a glass to good health, happiness, and harmony. Happy Tihar! ✨🍹

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