Starting the New Year on a refreshing note often begins with what’s stocked behind the bar. A good beer not only keeps the celebration flowing but also sets the mood for easy conversations, lively toasts and long nights with friends. From trusted classics to contemporary favourites, these party-perfect beers are ideal for welcoming the New Year with great taste and effortless sipping.

Kingfisher remains a timeless choice for New Year celebrations. A familiar presence at parties for decades, the brand offers something for every preference. From the smooth Kingfisher Premium to the bold Strong and the refined Ultra, it continues to be a dependable crowd-pleaser. Its consistent taste, wide availability and easy drinkability make it a must-have for celebrations that stretch from the first toast to the final countdown.

For those planning a stylish and high-energy New Year party, Budweiser fits right in. Known for its crisp taste and global appeal, it brings a premium edge to house parties. While the classic Budweiser offers smooth and easy sipping, Budweiser Magnum adds a stronger punch for those who prefer bolder pours. Sleek, refreshing and modern, it complements chic party settings effortlessly.

Adding a relaxed twist to the celebrations, Carib Beer is perfect for hosts looking to try something different. With its crisp lager profile and balanced flavour, it’s light enough for extended gatherings yet distinctive enough to stand out. Its Caribbean roots lend a laid-back charm, making it ideal for calm, conversation-led New Year evenings.

Energetic and youthful, Tuborg is made for loud music, dance floors and countdown moments. Tuborg Green works well for long hours of sipping, while Tuborg Strong adds extra intensity for seasoned beer drinkers. Its vibrant branding and punchy taste resonate with carefree celebrations that go well into the night.

For modern hosts and craft-curious drinkers, Bira 91 brings a contemporary touch to New Year gatherings. Offering everything from lighter wheat beers to stronger, hoppier options, it caters to evolving tastes. Its smooth texture, balanced flavours and urban appeal make it a popular choice for intimate house parties and stylish get-togethers.

Whether the New Year is welcomed with a glamorous countdown or a cosy gathering among close friends, these beer brands help set the tone for a memorable start. With the right picks on hand, every sip becomes part of a celebration worth remembering.

McDonald’s India – North and East, operated by Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. (CPRL), has taken a fresh approach to print advertising with its latest Signature Burger campaign, turning a traditional newspaper ad into an immersive, AR-led experience. Designed to be experienced, felt, and shared, the campaign brings the layers, textures, and indulgence of the Signature burgers to life, reflecting McDonald’s entry into India’s evolving flavour-flex era.

By scanning the print ad using a smartphone, consumers can watch the Signature burgers rise off the page in rich animated detail. The AR experience highlights the layers, textures, and mouthfeel of the burgers, making print advertising more than just visual. It creates a sensory moment that builds real hunger cravings, transforming a static format into something interactive and engaging.

This innovation repositions print as an active brand touchpoint rather than a passive medium. By combining technology with storytelling, McDonald’s has set a new benchmark for how legacy media can be refreshed and made relevant for modern audiences. The campaign underlines the brand’s focus on pushing creative boundaries while delivering immersive experiences at scale.

The New Signature Collection features two indulgent offerings. The Cheesy Mushroom burger, brings together a rich, cheesy mushroom patty with savoury Italian sauce, tangy gherkins, and crisp lettuce, all layered inside a protein bun for a balanced and satisfying bite. The Cheesy Chicken burger, features a flame-grilled chicken patty paired with a juicy egg patty, tangy habanero sauce, crisp gherkins, and crunchy lettuce, creating a multi-layered flavour experience.

Staying true to McDonald’s ‘Proudly Indian’ commitment, all key ingredients, including lettuce, mushrooms, chicken, and eggs, are sourced from trusted Indian suppliers. This approach supports local farmers and partners while ensuring freshness and flavours that align with Indian taste preferences.

By blending AR technology with indulgent food storytelling, the campaign reimagines how consumers engage with food launches, making the Signature Collection an experience that connects both visually and emotionally. With this initiative, McDonald’s continues to reinforce its focus on innovation, quality, and storytelling, delivering elevated, multi-sensorial brand experiences.

The New Signature Collection is now available across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India, with options for dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, and delivery through third-party aggregators.

Pondicherry, India, 19 December 2025: All Things Breakfast Pvt. Ltd. (ATB), a new-age food enterprise committed to reconnecting food with happiness, has announced the launch of its flagship brand, Darcy & Company. Based in the culturally vibrant town of Pondicherry, the micro-bakery specialises in artisanal, small-batch breakfast essentials, beginning with a thoughtfully curated range of protein- and fibre-enriched granolas.

Marking the launch is The Jane Austen Anthology, a limited-edition granola collection celebrating the 250th birth anniversary of one of literature’s most beloved authors. Drawing inspiration from the elegance, romance, and contrasts of Austen’s novels, the collection seamlessly blends literary storytelling with mindful nutrition.

Darcy & Company is the passion project of Rashmi Naik, Founder of All Things Breakfast. After over two decades in the corporate world, Naik embarked on a mid-life journey—alongside a close circle of friends and “sisters”—to create a brand rooted in purpose, better nutrition, and joy.

“Somewhere along the way, we started swinging between breakfasts that were super healthy but tasteless and those that were indulgent but carb-heavy,” says Rashmi Naik. “Darcy & Company is about restoring balance. Food should bring joy, not anxiety. Our granolas are made with activated seeds, local grains, and single-origin Indian ingredients, ensuring they are clean, nourishing, and genuinely delicious.”

Named after a cherished literary character, the brand reflects timeless charm, thoughtful craftsmanship, and emotional connection—values that are brought to life through its inaugural collection.

The Jane Austen Anthology transforms iconic settings and moods from Austen’s novels into culinary expressions. Each blend is inspired by a literary pairing and a classic flavour profile, from buttery shortbread notes inspired by Pride and Prejudice to elegant chocolate-orange nuances reflecting Emma. The range celebrates contrasts between rustic simplicity and refined elegance, marrying globally inspired flavours with premium, locally sourced Indian ingredients.

At the heart of Darcy & Company lies a strong commitment to quality, trust, and sustainability. Granolas are prepared in small batches and slow-baked only upon receiving orders, ensuring exceptional freshness. Ingredients are ethically and locally sourced, including oats from Kerala, nuts and seeds from Auroville, and single-origin chocolate from Pondicherry and Wayanad. A key differentiator is the use of activated nuts and seeds, soaked in saline water to enhance nutritional value and digestibility.

Beyond the product, the brand is driven by a purpose-led philosophy, focused on building a values-driven organisation that prioritises conscious consumption, transparency, and a respectful workplace culture.

“Darcy & Company is more than a micro-bakery,” adds Naik. “It’s about making mornings soulful and effortless. We want breakfast to be the new dinner—the most anticipated and enjoyable meal of the day.”

Darcy & Company’s granola range, including The Jane Austen Anthology, is now available for nationwide orders.

About Darcy & Company
Darcy & Company is the debut brand from All Things Breakfast Pvt. Ltd. Based in Pondicherry, the micro-bakery crafts small-batch, artisanal breakfast essentials designed to reconnect food with happiness. Using activated nuts and seeds, locally sourced grains, and clean ingredients, the brand embodies a philosophy that is wholesome, thoughtful, and intentional.