Vaum Tonics, Elevating Your Summer Sips to New Heights

Vaum Tonics, Elevating Your Summer Sips to New Heights

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on March 30, 2024

As the mercury rises and summer sets in, it's time to embrace all things cool and refreshing. Whether you're lounging by the pool or hosting a backyard barbecue, nothing beats the heat like a crisp, revitalizing drink.

Enter Vaum Tonics, India's pioneering line of Quinine-Free botanical beverages, born from the collaboration of Co-Founders Siddharth Saraf and Aakash Khaunte. With a shared vision of crafting drinks that are both health-conscious and delicious, they embarked on a journey to redefine the art of mixology.

Vaum Tonics stands out in the crowded beverage landscape with its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. Inspired by the tranquil sounds of nature encapsulated in the Sanskrit word “Vaum,” each bottle is a testament to their dedication to providing a truly exceptional drinking experience.

Siddharth and Aakash recognized the need for mixers that enhance, rather than overpower, the flavors of premium spirits. Thus, Vaum Tonics was born, offering a delicate and nuanced flavor profile that elevates every beverage it complements.

Partnering with renowned beverage innovators Hayley Troup and Ed Swete, Vaum Tonics brings to life seven distinct and memorable flavors, all crafted with botanicals imported from Europe and bottled with champagne-esque carbonation in Goa.

From classic tonic waters to contemporary mixers, Vaum Tonics offers a diverse range of meticulously crafted products designed to enhance the flavors of various spirits. Each batch undergoes rigorous quality checks to ensure that every bottle delivers an unparalleled drinking experience.

At the heart of Vaum Tonics lies a mission to redefine the art of mixing beverages, inspiring creativity and exploration within the mixology community. With a promise of passion, craftsmanship, and the true art of mixology in every bottle, Vaum Tonics invites you to indulge in a journey of exquisite flavors and refined drinking experiences.

To add a dash of summer flair to your gatherings, Bernice Dias, the mastermind behind Vaum Tonics, shares a selection of ready-to-drink summer recipes:

1. Mango Fig Fizz:

- 15ml fresh lemon juice

- Mango Juice

- Ice cubes

- Mango slices or lemon twists, for garnish

- Vaum mango fig botanical water

- Chili Salt Rim for the Glass (equal parts chili, castor sugar & table salt)

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Instructions:

1. In a Tall Glass Add ice cubes. Rim the Glass with the Chili-Salt mix

2. To a shaker add Mango & Lemon Juice and shake vigorously for about 15-20

seconds to chill the mixture.

3. Strain the mixture into the chilled glass.

4. Top it off with Vaum mango Fig botanical water

5. Garnish with a lemon twist / Mango Slice

2. Kokam Grapefruit Fizz

- 15ml Kokam Juice

- Ice cubes

- Vaum Grapefruit Rosemary botanical water

- Add a rosemary twig as garnish

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Instructions:

1. Add Ice to a short glass.

2. Add the Kokam Juice

3. Top Off with Vaum Grapefruit Rosemary botanical water

4. Garnish with a Rosemary twig

3. Cucumber Mint Refresher

- 15ml fresh lime juice

- 15ml Cucumber Juice

- Ice cubes

- Vaum Cucumber Mint Botanical Water

- Cucumber Slice and Mint Twig, for garnish

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Instructions
:

1. Fill a tall glass with Ice

2. Add the Cucumber & Lime Juice

3. Top Off with Vaum Cucumber Mint botanical water

4. Garnish with a Slice of Cucumber

With these refreshing concoctions, courtesy of Vaum Tonics, your summer soirées are sure to be elevated to new heights of taste and sophistication. So, raise a glass and toast to the season with Vaum Tonics—a symbol of sophistication, excellence, and unparalleled taste. Cheers!


Manam Chocolate Spreads the Joy This Diwali with Its 2025 Festive Collection

Manam Chocolate Spreads the Joy This Diwali with Its 2025 Festive Collection

By Hariharan U

Published on October 11, 2025

The clinking of glasses, laughter echoing through homes, and tables filled with sweets, snacks, and gifts, it can only mean one thing: Diwali is here. And this year, Manam Chocolate joins the celebration with its Diwali Edition 2025, crafted to capture the spirit of togetherness that defines the season.

Manam’s festive collection celebrates the tables we gather around, where families reunite, friends reconnect, and conversations stretch late into the night. Whether it’s for a long dinner, a taash night, or simply a quiet evening at home, the brand’s new collection brings something special to every kind of gathering. Because at the heart of Diwali, there’s always room for more, more laughter, more food, and of course, more chocolate.

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The Manam Diwali Edition 2025 is designed around the theme of festive tables, filled with gifts to share, flavours to discover, and moments to savour. The collection includes an array of indulgent chocolates, pastries, and desserts, offering something for every celebration and every palate. From grand centerpiece assortments to small treats meant to be shared, Manam invites everyone to create their own kind of Diwali.

India’s award-winning craft chocolate brand brings a collection of bonbons, palettes, tablets, clusters, cookies, thins, spreads, and more, all made from cacao beans grown in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Each creation is beautifully packed in limited-edition boxes illustrated by artist Namrata Kumar, whose signature impressionistic style captures scenes from Manam’s cacao farms and fermentery, the Chocolate Karkhana in Hyderabad, and homes filled with festive warmth.

The Highlights of Manam’s Diwali 2025 Collection, The Diwali Indulgence Collection – Bite-sized bonbons and palettes in flavours like Coconut & Curry Leaf, Hazelnut Praline, Lemon Cheesecake, and Birthday Cake. Treats & Tablets Box – A mix of textures and origins featuring Malabar 69%, Toffee Almond, and Raspberry & Rose, Celebration & Gifting Assortments – Ranging from the lavish Diwali Celebration Box to the compact Diwali Snack Selection, each box is crafted for gifting and gatherings. Diwali Preference Boxes – Curated to suit every taste, including dark, milk, vegan, and sweet-spice profiles, The Diwali Tablet Library – A selection of Manam’s most loved tablets like Pistachio Fudge, Coconut & Almond, Chai Biscuit, and Raspberry & Rose. The Diwali Dessert Spread, A rich mix of cakes and entremets, perfect for post-dinner indulgence, Diwali Celebration Cakes – Made to order, featuring flavours such as Hazelnut Coffee, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Carrot & Apricot, and Coconut Lemon Custard. 

Each product has been designed to travel beautifully, look elegant, and fit perfectly into every festive moment — from gifting to hosting.

Visit & Order:
Manam Chocolate is available at:

  • New Delhi: Eldeco Centre, Saket

  • Hyderabad: Manam Chocolate Karkhana, Banjara Hills; Manam Chocolate Beverage Bar, Knowledge City
    Pan-India deliveries are available via www.manamchocolate.com. Orders can also be placed through Swiggy and Zomato in Hyderabad.

About Manam Chocolate:

Manam Chocolate, listed among TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2024 and Conde Nast Traveller India’s Top Restaurants 2024, is a proudly Indian Craft Chocolate® brand. Derived from the Telugu word “Manam,” meaning “We” or “Us,” the brand represents a collective of farmers, fermenters, chocolate makers, and chocolatiers from Andhra Pradesh, redefining the craft chocolate movement in India with over 300 unique products across 50 categories.

This Diwali, Manam invites everyone to celebrate the tables that bring people together — where memories are made, laughter shared, and one more piece of chocolate is always welcome. Because when Manam Chocolate is at the table, there’s always room for more.


Chinese Wok Marks 10th Anniversary by Serving 10,000 Meals to Children Across India

Chinese Wok Marks 10th Anniversary by Serving 10,000 Meals to Children Across India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 17, 2025

Chinese Wok, India’s largest home-grown Desi Chinese QSR brand, marked its 10th anniversary with a celebration rooted in joy and community spirit. Instead of limiting the milestone to its restaurants, the brand chose to give back by serving more than 10,000 freshly prepared meals to school children across 10 cities in 10 days.

The initiative spanned major cities including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Lucknow, reaching underserved communities with hearty Desi Chinese meals. Each event became a celebration of togetherness, with children enjoying not just the food but also moments of laughter, games, and branded merchandise that made the experience memorable.

What made the initiative truly special was the hands-on participation of hundreds of Chinese Wok employees from restaurants, regional offices, and the corporate team. They came together to cook, serve, and spend time with the children, ensuring the celebration went beyond food to create genuine connections.

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Reflecting on the milestone, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Director, Lenexis Foodworks, shared,

“Completing 10 years is a proud milestone for all of us at Chinese Wok. We wanted to celebrate not just within our restaurants, but by bringing joy to children and communities that inspire us every day. This initiative reflects our long-term belief that food can be a force for good, and we will continue to build on this commitment as we grow.”

This initiative also underscores the larger vision of Lenexis Foodworks, the parent company of Chinese Wok, Big Bowl, and The Momo Co. By focusing on food as a force for good, the group continues to expand its footprint across India while making a lasting impact in the communities it serves.


Sip in Style: Yuki’s Tequila Cocktails Hit All the Right Notes

Sip in Style: Yuki’s Tequila Cocktails Hit All the Right Notes

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 31, 2025

At Yuki, sipping tequila is no longer just about salt and lime, it’s about exploring bold flavours, subtle aromas, and creative twists inspired by Pan-Asian flair. This stylish spot isn’t just a feast for the palate with its cuisine, but now also delights with a cocktail menu that’s bursting with personality.

Whether you’re a tequila enthusiast or just cocktail-curious, Yuki’s mixologists have designed a lineup that balances classic notes with playful innovation. Here’s what’s pouring:

Pandan Teq-Tea

This one’s a game-changer. A gentle blend of tequila, pandan syrup, and a hint of lime creates a smooth, slightly sweet drink with a vanilla-like aroma. It’s soft, fragrant, and a total crowd-pleaser for those who like their cocktails a little off the beaten path.

Summer in Osaka

If summer had a signature drink, this would be it. Imagine tequila meeting creamy toasted coconut, refreshing coconut water, earthy matcha crème, and a dusting of beetroot. The result? A layered, tropical cocktail that feels like a warm breeze with every sip.

Tuk Tuk Tom

This one’s for the bold-hearted. Inspired by Southeast Asian street flavors, it brings the iconic zing of Tom Yum into your glass. Tequila mingles with chilli heat, parsley freshness, and a citrusy lift from lime, giving you a spicy, herby hit that lingers in the best way.

The Classic Margarita

Some things never go out of style. Yuki’s take on the Margarita keeps it clean and crisp, premium agave, a splash of orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. It’s a simple reminder of why this cocktail became a global favourite in the first place.

Yuki Picante

Think tropical meets spicy. Pineapple juice, lime, and agave nectar form the base, while coriander and jalapeño bring a zesty punch. It's lively, bold, and designed to wake up your taste buds.

Yuki doesn’t just serve cocktails, it curates experiences in a glass. Whether you're out with friends or just winding down after a long day, their tequila range adds the perfect spark to your evening. So the next time you’re at Yuki, raise a glass to flavour, flair, and a sip-worthy adventure.

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