Mahua

Madhuca longifolia

Mahua is India’s only flower-based distilled spirit, and much bigger, in production volume, than other flower based wines like Hibiscus wine, Elderflower wine etc.

It was traditionally made by tribal communities in India. The flower is fermented (sometime with added cane sugar or jaggery) and distilled. A video of making mohua in the traditional method with homemade still.

It’s now being rediscovered as an artisanal heritage liquor, by brands like:

As seen in:
Cocktail Time: Mahua Cocktails (December 10, 2020)
Bandra Born 2.0 Offers A Fresh Twist On Comfort Food With Bold Flavours And Unique Creations by Shruti Pandit (December 14, 2024)
On Diwali, try cocktails with mahua and feni by Jahnabee Borah (11 Nov 2020)
Indian distillery debuts spirit made with formerly banned flower by Eloise Feilden (24 September 2024)
In India, an outlawed spirit is making a comeback by Smitha Menon (May 3, 2025)
Everyone’s Swapping Rum For This Ancient Indian Drink — Have You Tried Mahura Yet? by Swarna Srikanth (July 12, 2025)

Cocktails containing Mahua