A Refreshing Duet

That luxe texture gives way to Macarena beer’s festival spirit as Chef Vimal Dhar’s turmeric-kissed Barley Mango Tikki, nutty, sweet, and spiced, dances with the pale-gold beer’s dry finish while Mixologist Sagar Khuntia’s ‘A Camel Feast’ layers wild custard apple, apricot, and a flash of briny tang to conjure Rajasthan’s carnival joie de vivre.

By Spiritz Desk 16 Sep 2025in Cover Story All Articles

New Update

Macarena Premium Lager Craft Beer
By Prisco Potion Pvt Ltd

Macarena Beer is a rich lager beer with hints of malt and hops, offering a vibrant taste and smooth texture. With an ABV under 5 percent, Macarena encapsulates the spirit of celebration with its lively design. The can’s artwork features a toucan wearing a sombrero, symbolising fun and freedom alongside playful elements like a retro disco ball, a dancing sun, a vase and a vinyl record player evoking nostalgia and carefree adventure. Its light to medium body and medium-high carbonation deliver a crisp mouth feel, making it ideal for social gatherings or quiet moments of relaxation.

Macarena Premium Lager Craft Beer By Prisco Potion Pvt Ltd

Barley Mango Tikki

Chef VIMAL Dhar’s Barley Mango Tikki is an interesting combination of nutty bite of turmeric-infused barley with a luscious filling of ripe mango, cheese, and warm spices. Paired with a tangy-sweet karonda and jaggery relish, it’s a perfect balance of textures and flavours,crisp on the outside, creamy at the centre, and bursting with sweet heat. Ideal as a refined appetiser or a unique twist on tikkis, it pairs beautifully with a chilled premium lager for a refreshing finish.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients	Quantity

For Tikki
Barley	250 gm
Chopped ripe mangoes	150 gm
Brown onions	50 gm
Chopped green chillies	3
Chopped coriander	2 tsp
Chopped ginger	2 tsp
Roasted cumin powder	1 tsp
Red chilli powder	1/2 tsp
Processed cheese	2 tbsp
Turmeric	A pinch
Bay leaf	1-2
Salt	To taste
Ghee	2 tbsp

For Relish
Karonde	A few
Dried red chillies	2
Jaggery	2 tsp
Cumin powder	1 tsp
Salt	To taste
Rice crisps	For Garnish

For Garnish
Sour cream
Fresh salsa (shallots, tomato, coriander, jalapeño, lime juice, salt)
Mint leaves

Barley Mango Tikki

Method

In a bowl, mix mangoes, onions, green chillies, coriander, ginger, cumin, red chilli powder, processed cheese and salt
Make small balls out of it and keep it ready for stuffing.
Soak barley for half an hour and boil for 5-8 minutes with turmeric, bay leaf and salt.
Make slightly bigger balls and keep them aside.
Pat the barley balls and stuff them with mango and cheese filling to make tikkis.
Heat ghee in a pan and shallow fry the tikkis till golden and crisp.
Put all the ingredients to make the relish in a blender and grind till it forms into a smooth paste.
Garnish it with rice crisps.
Pair the dish with tangy karonda, and premium lager Macarena.

Chef’s Pour Tip

For Relish: Should be thick and scooped or poured with precision so that it looks visually neat.
For Can Beer: If using a pilsner, tilt it to 45 degrees to prevent excessive foam.

Chef VIMAL Dhar

VIMAL Dhar
Chef Vimal is a highly experienced and astute professional with a passion for perfecting culinary specialties. He has had work exposure at The Taj Devigarh, HRH Group and Cruise-Lines from 1997-2010. He has been an entrepreneur with ROTH Hospitality since 2011. He is the Founder President of Royal Rajasthan Chefs Society and has been innovating hospitality segments with Udaipuri (a vegetarian kitchen in Udaipur since 2011), management of bulk kitchens, Aksha Tej(catering segment which handles weddings and events), Kabab Mistri and Laapi Chokha (regional Rajasthani cuisine) by Dr Chef Sangeeta Dhar.

Macarena Marches To A Camel Feast
A Toast To Bikaner Camel Festival

Inspired by the vibrant spectacle of Bikaner’s celebrated Camel Festival in Rajasthan, ‘A Camel Feast’ is a beer-based cocktail crafted by Mixologist SAGAR Khuntia. This inventive drink weaves together the earthy, rustic aroma and crisp profile of Macarena beer with the fruity sweetness of wild custard apple and apricot cordial, balanced by pickle brine and a tangy citric solution.

Glassware: Fancy Nova tall
Garnish: Dried apricot
Pairing: Spicy appetizer

Ingredients	Quantity
Macarena beer
Wild custard apple extra	45 ml
Apricot cordial	45 ml
Pickle brine	30 ml
Citric solution	15 ml

Macarena Marches To A Camel Feast A Toast To Bikaner Camel Festival

Flavour Profile

Smell: Earthy and rustic.
Taste: Fruity and sweet.
Touch: Bitter

Why the Name?
The name ‘A Camel Feast’ is inspired by Bikaner’s camel festival that showcases the significance of camels in Rajasthani life and heritage. The festival features camel races, folk music, dance, and various other cultural performances – all of this enjoyed with beer. It’s a celebration of the ‘ship of the desert’ and its role in the region’s history and economy.

Mixologyst SAGAR Khuntia

SAGAR Khuntia
Sagar is a mixologist at DLF Club3. Hailing from Odisha, he has around five years of experience in the hospitality industry, including stints at Taj, Trident and Mayfair. He believes that mixology goes beyond simply making drinks. It encompasses a deep understanding of flavours, techniques, and even the history of cocktails. Over the years, Sagar has participated in many cocktail competitions, including, Camikara, Dewars, Aahar, IBG, Monin Cup and Bacardi Maestro.