Himmaleh Spirits, the artisanal distillery based in India, has carved out an international milestone with its Bandarful Indian Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, recently crowned “Liqueur of the Year” at the 2025 USA Spirits Ratings Competition. Built on a farm-to-bottle ethos, the brand champions India’s agricultural heritage while reimagining it through world-class spirits. In this exclusive interview, Athulya Anil, Brand Manager at Himmaleh Spirits, discusses the inspiration behind Bandarful, the significance of their global recognition, and the brand’s vision for growth in international markets.

Q. Himmaleh Spirits is built on the promise of farm-to-bottle. What inspired you to create Bandarful Indian Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, and how does it fit into your broader portfolio?

At Himmaleh Spirits, our philosophy is rooted in farm-to-bottle, celebrating India’s agricultural richness through world-class spirits. Coffee, grown in regions like Coorg and Chikmagalur, is one of India’s finest crops, and we wanted to showcase that heritage in a contemporary way. Bandarful was born from this vision: a craft liqueur that brings together cold-brew coffee and our expertise in distillation. It extends our portfolio beyond gin and rum into artisanal liqueurs, while staying true to our mission of spotlighting Indian ingredients and craftsmanship.

Q. What made you choose this product specifically for the competition, and what does this win mean for your brand story?

We chose Bandarful because it embodies what modern Indian spirits can be: experimental yet authentic, global yet rooted. By entering it into the competition, we wanted to highlight a category-defining product with international appeal. Winning validates our belief that India can craft spirits that stand alongside the best in the world, strengthening our brand story of bringing Indian innovation and quality to the global stage.

Q. Being recognized as “Liqueur of the Year” is a significant achievement on a global stage. From a business perspective, how do you view the value of this recognition?

This award is a credibility marker that elevates Bandarful from being just an Indian success to a globally recognized liqueur. For the business, it opens new doors with importers, distributors, and retailers, while reassuring consumers about quality. It accelerates trust-building in international markets and signals that our products aren’t just unique, they’re globally competitive.

Q. Can U.S. consumers currently find Bandarful Indian Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur in the market?

Yes, Bandarful is already available in the U.S. through our distribution partner, Highroad Spirits. It can be found in select states across retail outlets and leading cocktail bars. We’re actively expanding its footprint with market rollouts, trade activations, consumer tastings, and collaborations with bartenders to build deeper visibility and demand.

Q. Distributor and retailer support is key to scaling in competitive markets. What kind of programs, marketing tools, or incentives do you extend to your current partners, and how do you plan to build these relationships internationally?

Our approach is partnership-driven. In India, we provide brand training, tasting events, POS material, and cocktail programming. Internationally, we are scaling this with digital campaigns, bartender engagement initiatives, and tailored trade incentives. The goal is not just to secure shelf presence, but to create immersive brand experiences that generate consumer pull and sustained growth.

Q. The liqueur category has been undergoing a revival with consumers showing interest in coffee-based, artisanal, and lower-ABV products. What trends are you witnessing in this space, and how is Himmaleh Spirits aligning itself with these shifts?

We see three clear trends: the rise of coffee culture; demand for authentic craft products; and interest in lower-ABV options for balance and moderation. Bandarful sits at the intersection of all three. It highlights India’s coffee legacy, is handcrafted in small batches, and its approachable ABV makes it versatile across shots and cocktails. It’s both timely and future-facing, aligning seamlessly with how global consumers are drinking today.

Q. Many liqueur brands are leveraging cocktail culture and mixology for growth. How do you see Bandarful being used by bartenders and consumers, and are you positioning it as a cocktail ingredient, a sipping liqueur, or both?

Bandarful is deliberately versatile. Bartenders love it for classics like espresso martinis and signature serves like our Monkey Mellow (coffee liqueur with marshmallow) or the Bandarful Float. Consumers, on the other hand, enjoy it neat, as a shot, or with tonic. By design, it works beautifully both behind the bar and at home.

Q. Beyond Bandarful, are there any new products, flavor innovations, or initiatives on the horizon for Himmaleh Spirits that trade buyers should be aware of?

Yes, innovation is at the heart of what we do. We recently launched our first Himalayan vodka, Hudka, in the Indian market. Beyond that, we have several exciting projects in the works that continue to spotlight India’s agricultural and botanical wealth. Our vision is to consistently surprise and delight with authentic, high-quality expressions that bring something genuinely new to the table.

Q. Finally, what message would you like to share with U.S. importers, distributors, and retailers about why Bandarful Indian Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur deserves a spot on their shelves?

Bandarful is more than just yet-another-liqueur. It’s an award-winning, farm-to-bottle spirit that delivers bold cold-brew coffee flavor with global craftsmanship. It’s versatile for cocktails and shots, taps into the fast-growing coffee-liqueur trend, and comes with proven consumer and trade traction in the U.S. For partners, it offers an authentic, differentiated product that adds both excitement and credibility to the category.