Sip into the '90s at this retro diner in North Goa's Assagao

At a time when mixologists across India are constantly experimenting with flavours, presentation, and storytelling, Gulaabo Ji, the retro-themed restaurant in Assagao, North Goa, has taken a refreshingly nostalgic turn.

The restaurant bar has added two new cocktails to its menu—Mango Bite Rewind and Bourbon Biscuit Speakeasy—that not only evoke nostalgia, but sweet memories of childhood in every sip. The cocktails are not just about clever mixology, but mood and flavour bottled into a glass.

THE INSPIRATION

The inspiration behind Mango Bite Rewind, says owner Sanjana Anand, came from the idea of childhood , those colourful candies traded like treasure in school corridors, she recalls.

"The idea of making this cocktail was more than just playful mixology. It’s a mix of sensory storytelling and strong emotional connection to India’s collective childhood," avers Sanjana.

Sanjana Anand, owner of Gulaabo Ji, AssagaoA candy cocktail isn’t just about flavour, it’s about feeling. One sip can transport someone to a school canteen, a family party, or a crush from the 8th grade.

For example, she says, you don’t expect to taste cotton candy in a martini or lollipop in a highball. The idea here is to evoke surprise and curiosity, turning a simple drink into a conversation starter, she adds.

"A candy cocktail isn’t just about , it’s about feeling. One sip can transport someone to a school canteen, a family party, or a crush from the 8th grade. That emotional hook is what makes the drink unforgettable," Sanjana mentions.

CAREFUL BALANCE

In this cocktail, the sticky sweetness of the mango candy gets a grown-up makeover. The is carefully balanced to retain the original fruitiness without being cloying, and it carries just the right amount of kick to make it a bar-worthy creation.

The glass it’s served in doesn’t just hold a drink, it holds the echo of recess bells and candy wrappers.

TANGY TEASE: The Mango Bite Rewind is a cocktail that evokes surprise and curiosity.

BITTERSWEET, WITH A TWIST

Then there’s the Bourbon Biscuit Speakeasy, a name that might confuse you until you realise it’s exactly what it sounds like. Yes, bourbon the biscuit meets the spirit.

"We’ve taken the humble chocolate cream biscuit, another staple from our school tiffin boxes, and turned it into something playful and bold,” Sanjana explains.

Sanjana Anand, owner of Gulaabo Ji, AssagaoWe’ve taken the humble chocolate cream biscuit, another staple from our school tiffin boxes, and turned it into something playful and bold

While you might expect a spiced undertone, the real surprise is a citrus kick, added with the smoothness of chocolate and cream, that brings the drink alive and takes you back to simpler times.

“It’s all about contrast,” she says. “The of the biscuit, the depth of the whiskey, and that bright citrus note. It hits you in the best possible way, just like those unexpected fun moments of childhood.”

BISCUIT BUZZ: Where biscuit meets whiskey, the Bourbon Biscuit Speakeasy is a natural outcome.

MENU BUILT ON MEMORIES

This isn’t the first time Gulaabo Ji has played with nostalgia. A previous creation, a mocktail inspired by Phantom cigarettes, was a massive hit.

“People weren’t ordering it just for the ,” Sanjana says. “They were ordering it for the memory. That moment when you’d pretend to smoke those sugary sticks with your friends. That feeling is what they were after.”

PERMANENT ADDITIONS

These two new cocktails are now permanent additions to the bar menu, replacing older items. They’re a deliberate move toward storytelling through taste, a way to make people before they even take a sip.

Gulaabo Ji has always stood out for its 90s diner theme. From retro music to the kind of food and drink that makes you want to pick up the phone and call your childhood best friend, the space is as much an experience as it is a restaurant.

These two new cocktails are now permanent additions to the bar menu, replacing older items.

WHY NOSTALGIA WORKS

In a fast-moving world, there's comfort in slowing down and revisiting the past. has a flavour of its own, and when served well, it can be deeply satisfying. “With these cocktails, we wanted to make people feel something,” says Sanjana. “Not just taste something.”

And has Gulaabo Ji succeeded in it? The only way to know is to go there yourself and let the cocktails do the talking.