North Bengal (Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar & Alipurduar)

As we gradually move forward covering the different districts of West Bengal. This part of the menu upholds the rich diversified culture of the Northern Part of Bengal. Sharing its borders with Bangladesh, Nepal & Bhutan the northern part of Bengal comprises three districts namely, “Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar & Alipurduar ''. This beautiful part of Bengal is rich in handmade artifacts, colonial history, diverse forest life and lush greenery. The district of Jalpaiguri opens up a gateway to the luscious greenery and accessible hill stations like Dooars and Alipurduar takes the natural aesthete further with its natural waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries. Namely the Buxa Tiger Reserve, Lataguri Wildlife Sanctuary , Raiganj Bird Sanctuary. In the year 1869, the British Government established the district of Jalpaiguri. The meaning of which stands “The Land of Olives' . The word ‘Jalpai’ means Olive and ‘Guri’ means land; hence the name. The rich sandy alluvium soil that is often found in the adjacent region of river Teesta in Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar & Alipurduar, along with its humid rainy climate gives it the ideal condition for the cultivation of a variety of food crops including the Indian Olives “Jalpai''. This drink uplifts the utilisation of this particular type of olive that is native to Northern Bengal . According to research the Jalpai is the most underutilized fruit-crop mostly used at the household level. The fruit has a sourish taste which is often eaten raw or cooked to make sweet sour chutneys. Besides being used as in the Bengali household it also has a rich content of Vitamin C and other medicinal properties. Our aim here is to elevate this local ingredient beyond the provinces of Bengal through the spectrum of modern cocktail art, inspired from Bengal’s ‘Jalpai chutney’. The spices we used here dominate the local cuisine of Alipurduar & Cooch Behar. Here we pair the acerbic flavour of jalpai with gin and balance it with the bubbly notes of panch phoron fizz.