Devendra Banhart - ‘Mala' + Masala Chai Punch
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces Chai-infused Rum, 2 ounces milk, 1/2 ounce rich demerara syrup, fresh grated nutmeg.
Mixing Instructions: Chai-infused Rum—Measure 4 tablespoons of loose Masala Chai tea into a 750-ml bottle of rum. Let steep for 2 hours, agitating periodically. Strain and rebottle. THEN—mix ingredients into cocktail shaker 3/4 full of ice, shake & strain, and garnish with nutmeg (via Gaz Regan).
Notes: Devendra Banhart can be a tad-bit unpredictable at times. He’s clearly a genius-caliber musician and artist, but you never know when you’re going to get the unbelievably beautiful Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon Devendra Banhart or that Megapuss-style Devendra Banhart (although, there were a couple songs off that Megapuss album that were pretty good). Fortunately, with the occasional misstep from such a great artist, the perfect opportunity for surprise is presented to the casual fan when an album like Mala shows up seemingly out of nowhere.
Mala still has numerous hints of Banhart’s playful demeanor and sense of humor… but the overall feel of the album is much more laid back and more in-line of succession to Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon (which I couldn’t possible love more). If you’ve never known where to jump in with Banhart, or you tried before at a previously inopportune time… do not hesitate to start over again with Mala and see how it suits your fancy.