India, Feb. 26 -- Besides multi-hued powders and a peppy playlist (Rang Barse to Balam Pichkari, of course) - what truly gets the party started on Holi is a tall glass of a traditional concoction of milk, nuts, and spices. But to really up the ante on festivities this year, we recommend making this drink heady. If you're game, here's our pick of Indian gins, rums, whiskies, and other alcohols to mix into thandai.

If you look past the giant clouds of pink, yellow, and green on Holi - you're bound to spot copper vessels of milky beverages garnished with rose petals and nuts. Thandai (derived from the Hindi term for 'cooling') marries milk with almonds, cashews, cardamom, saffron, poppy seeds, black pepper, watermelon kernels, and fennel se...