Biswa raj ghosh

Competing for Future Icon 2026

When people think of whisky, they think of tradition. When they think of tea, they think of comfort. I wanted to create a cocktail that shows these two worlds don’t compete—they complete each other. Growing up in India, tea was a daily ritual. Every conversation, every celebration, every difficult day began with a cup. It has always been a language of connection. For this drink, I chose Sulaimani tea for its simplicity and depth. Black tea gives structure, citrus adds brightness, spices bring warmth, and a touch of sweetness ties it together. It is familiar yet refined. I paired it with Dewar’s 12 Year for its smooth honeyed character, soft fruit notes, and gentle oak. It blends with the tea instead of overpowering it, becoming part of the conversation. Served as a highball, soda lifts the aromas, opens the spices, and keeps every sip light and evolving. This cocktail reflects my view of modern hospitality—where luxury is not about rarity, but meaning. Taking something everyday and reimagining it in a new way. The future isn’t always about creating something new. Sometimes, it’s about seeing something familiar differently. Every sip carries where I come from, and where cocktails can go next.