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What is India drinking in 2023?

08 November 2023 By Eloise Feilden

Domestic-made alcohol brands are rivalling that of international big hitters in the on-trade scene in India, according to a report on what the country is drinking this year.

What India is Drinking 2023, a report by 30BestBarsIndia in collaboration with Bangalore-based PR firm The Outlier, has revealed the most popular alcohol brands in the on-trade across 20 different categories.

The 2023 report is the first edition of a planned annual survey of the best-selling alcohol brands in India’s top bars.

It looks at the sales pattern of major brands across 20 categories in the premium on-premise segment in alcohol and non-alcoholic categories, spread over 125 bars in 12 of the country’s biggest cities, based on a survey of bartenders, bar owners and bar managers.

While international big hitters including the likes of Bacardi and Corona made the list, 30BestBarsIndia also recognised the growing potential of domestic brands in premiumising the on-trade.

“The rapid flow of international brands into the Indian market in recent times has been more than matched by the tremendous upsurge in the launch of Indian spirits brands,” said Vikram Achanta, 30BestBarsIndia co-founder and editor of the report.

“Bars and bartenders too are are revelling in this opportunity to expand their potential offerings as it gives them more flavour profiles to work with for their cocktails, as also more premium spirits to serve their guests,” he said.

The survey spanned a mix of independent, hotel and restaurant bars, whose owners, managers and bartenders were asked about the top-selling brands in each of the 20 categories.