Globally recognised premium tequila brand Cristal Azul has now made its way to Delhi, further strengthening its presence in India after earlier launches in Mumbai and Goa. This move marks another step in the brand’s steady expansion within the country’s growing premium spirits segment.

Crafted in Mexico and refined in New York, Cristal Azul is made using 100% Blue Weber Agave sourced from the well-known agave region of Jalisco. The brand combines traditional tequila-making techniques with a modern approach, resulting in a spirit that is smooth, balanced, and suitable for both sipping and cocktails.

The portfolio includes a wide range of expressions such as Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo, Gold, and Silver. Each variant brings its own unique flavour profile, shaped by different ageing processes and production styles.

Cristal Azul has also gained international recognition for its quality. The Reposado variant has been honoured at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, while the Añejo expression has received accolades at the US Spirits Awards, highlighting the brand’s craftsmanship on a global stage.

With tequila continuing to grow in popularity within India’s premium alcohol market, Cristal Azul is positioning itself as a brand that blends heritage with a modern lifestyle appeal. Now available across select premium retail outlets and leading hospitality destinations in Delhi, the brand is steadily building its presence in key metro cities across the country.

South Delhi’s late-night food scene is seeing a fresh shift as 1.5 Degree, a home-grown alternative-dairy brand, opens its flagship cafés at N Block Market, GK1 and Main Aurobindo Road, Hauz Khas. Built around the idea of offering healthier yet flavourful options, the brand is bringing a new approach to how people indulge, especially those looking for dairy-free choices.

The concept comes from brothers Vedansh (23) and Anagh (21), who turned their personal experience with lactose intolerance into a business idea. Realising that many dairy-free products lacked taste, they set out to create options that are not just vegan, but also enjoyable. Their focus has been on building products that are heart-friendly, gut-friendly, and completely plant-based.

The brand’s journey has also been supported by strong institutional backing. Its manufacturing and R&D facility is based at NIFTEM (Kundli), helping maintain quality and consistency. At the same time, BITS Pilani has played a role in supporting the venture, with co-founder Anagh currently preparing to graduate from the institute. Each product has been developed with inputs from senior chefs, dairy technologists, nutritionists, and food bloggers to ensure both taste and texture are well-balanced.

Adding to its growth, 1.5 Degree has secured a one million USD investment commitment from 35North Ventures (SEBI accredited), marking a key moment in its expansion plans and showing growing confidence in the plant-based category.

Both cafés are designed to cater to customers throughout the day, operating from 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM. In the mornings, the menu focuses on lighter, nutritious options such as Coffee with Oat Milk made using in-house sugar-free oat milk, smoothies with chia seeds, frozen soy yogurt, and palm oil-free waffles. As the day moves into the night, the offerings shift towards indulgent yet guilt-free desserts, including sugar-free kulfis and gelatos, gelato cakes, sorbets, and popsicles.

Sustainability is also a key part of the brand’s identity. The name 1.5 Degree reflects the global goal of limiting temperature rise, and this thinking is carried into its operations. Both outlets use 100% paper disposables and recyclable consumables, keeping the overall experience environment-friendly.

Speaking about the milestone, Anagh Goyal, Co-Founder, 1.5 Degree, said, "Securing the commitment from 35North Ventures allows us to take our research-backed products to a much wider audience. Whether you’re stopping by for a morning oat-milk smoothie or a sugar-free kulfi at midnight, you're getting a product manufactured at our own manufacturing facility at NIFTEM rigors, and served with a total commitment to sustainability."

With its focus on taste, health, and convenience, 1.5 Degree is positioning itself as a go-to spot for Delhi’s evolving dining habits, especially for those seeking better alternatives without missing out on flavour.

Visit the Experience:

• GK1 Outlet: N 18, N Block Market, Greater Kailash 1, New Delhi.
• Hauz Khas Outlet: G1, Main Aurobindo Road, Hauz Khas, New Delhi.

As dining habits continue to shift in busy urban cities, quick and flexible meal options are becoming the go-to choice for many. Keeping this in mind, NŌDO - Ramen, Sushi, Dimsum has introduced what it calls India’s first dedicated Grab & Go Pan-Asian kitchen in Delhi’s Khan Market.

The concept is designed for those who want good food without spending too much time dining in. It blends the ease of quick service with the quality and experience of casual dining, making it ideal for people constantly on the move but still looking for global flavours.

While Asian cuisine has already found a strong place in India, especially dishes like sushi, dimsum, and ramen, most of these are usually part of dine-in restaurants or delivery menus. What NŌDO brings is a format that matches how people actually eat today, quick, frequent, and often on the go.

The kitchen operates with a mix of centralised preparation and live assembly to maintain freshness. A lot of focus is also given to packaging, ensuring the food travels well. Sushi comes in structured trays, dim sum is packed in secure boxes, and ramen is served in spill-proof bowls, making it convenient for both takeaway and delivery.

Sharing the idea behind the brand, Shivang Gupta, Founder of NŌDO, said, “We built NŌDO around a simple observation, people still crave quality Asian food, but they don’t always have the time for a traditional dining experience. Our goal was to create a format where speed, consistency, and flavour coexist without compromise. From how the ramen is assembled to how the sushi is packed, every detail is designed for convenience without losing authenticity.”

Adding to this, Ruhi Gupta, Co- founder of NODO, said, “We believe NŌDO is not just launching a kitchen, but introducing a new way of consuming Asian food in India. The grab-and-go format has been missing in this category, and we’ve built NŌDO to fill that gap with precision. It’s fast, it’s consistent, and it’s designed for the pace of urban life, without losing the depth and authenticity that people expect from pan cuisine.”

The menu keeps things simple and focused, covering three main categories: sushi, dimsum, and ramen. Ramen stands out as a key highlight, with customisation options across broths, noodles, and toppings. One of the signature offerings is the Kimchi Umami bowl, which combines a fermented kimchi broth with gochugaru heat, greens, and a jammy egg. Guests can choose between wheat noodles, udon, or pad thai, along with proteins like tofu, jammy egg, or cheese.

Flavours range from bold kimchi-based broths to rich tonkotsu and lighter Thai coconut curry profiles, offering a balanced mix for different preferences.

Under “The Tokyo Street” section, sushi options include asparagus tempura, avocado cream cheese, katsu chicken, and seafood dynamite rolls. The dimsum selection features options like cream cheese with chilli oil, Thai nutty vegetable, charcoal chicken, and butter garlic prawn.

The drinks menu remains simple, with refreshing beverages available in both classic and fruit-forward flavours such as lychee and grape.

Positioned as an accessible premium brand, NŌDO is clearly aimed at younger, urban consumers who want quick, reliable, and flavourful meal options. With plans to expand into other high-density areas, the brand is focusing on speed, consistency, and delivery-friendly formats, while continuing to build on the growing demand for Asian cuisine in India.