Discover the top 15 Desi Daru brands in India

Desi Daru is one of the most popular and cultural drinks in India. It is available under different brands in different areas of Pakistan. Desi Daru means a drink that has been distilled at home by a local. These Desi Duru brands have unique colors and tastes. In this article, we will explore the top 15 most unique and top-selling desi brands in the last 13 years in India.

Desi Daru brands in India

Desi Daru is a unique heavenly drink for Indians. Its nature and strength vary in different states of India. Desi Daru has a lot of brands in India. Here in this article, we will explain and justify the top-selling Desi Daru brands in 2024 with their price and strength.

Feni

Feni is one of the best desi daru brands in Goa. It has been produced for centuries. There are two main types of this historic drink: cashew feni and coconut feni. It is often served chilled and in small shot glasses. Feni has a mind-blowing taste, and for tourists, it is the first choice as a local drink in Goa. Now it has been exported outside of Goa and India. Its price is very reasonable with respect to quality; it is INR 300 per 500 ml bottle of alcohol. The alcohol content in Feni varies between 36% and 42%.

Toddy

Toddy is the top-rated Desi daru brand in south India. It is made from the products of various species of palm trees. It has different varieties in different areas of south India and the world, like coconut toddy, which is most famous among south Indians and in Sri Lanka. Kithual toddy, which is made of kithul toddy, is the most common. Toddy Desi’s brand is famous outside of India. It has also been exported to different countries around the world, like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Canada, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

In Kerala, it is often used as an alternate source of water. In some places, it is often used to prepare dishes. It is good for health as a source of vitamins and minerals. Toddy price for 500 mL is INR 140–200. The alcohol content in toddy is 7–10%.

Mahua

Mahua is a popular desi daru brand in central India. It is made from the sweet flower of the mahua tree. The flowers are dried and then fermented to make mahua drinks. Mahua has an alcohol content of 17–22%. It is most popular in central India’s states, like MP and Jharkhand. Mahua is available in multiple forms and tastes, which explains why it is the most popular desi daru brand. It is a unique and affordable light alcoholic drink from India, with a price of INR180 for a 500-ml bottle. It is also considered best for health as it has been used for medicinal purposes by locals in the past.

Handia

Handia is a popular desi daru brand in Eastern India. It is also common in Nepal and Bangladesh. Handia has various types in India that mainly depend on the type of raw material and area. Handia is made by the distillation of grains (wheat, millet, and rye). Its fermentation process gives Handia a special sweet or spicy flavor. It is most common among people during religious festivals and rituals. Handia is used in small cups and without a chilling effect. Handia’s price for 500 ml is INR 190. The alcohol percentage in Handia is 8–9%.

Chhang

A popular drink in northeast India is chhang. It is distilled from the local millet, barely, or wheat grains in India. It is a drink associated with Hindu rituals and occasions in northeast India. There are almost niggling varieties of change in India. All of these variations are based on flavors and aromas. It is used with snacks, fruits, and spices. In 2023, people will use it for health and enjoyment purposes. Its price for a 500-ml bottle is INR 90 in India. The alcohol content in chhang is 7–8%.

Kiad

Kiad is a popular desi daru brand made from barley, wheat, and rye grains. It has gained a reputation in India since 2019. As it is considered a healthier and perfect replacement for sugary drinks in India. Kiad has different flavors depending on the grains used for distillation. It can be enjoyed hot or chilled in small cups. Its price for 500 ml is INR 110. It is a non-alcoholic drink with zero percent alcohol.

Bangla

Bangla is an Indian desi daru brand made from rice, jaggery, and yeast. It is one of the most popular traditional drinks in India and Bangladesh. This desi daru has a unique taste and flavor. It has several varieties, based mainly on the ingredients used in fermentation. Bangla is often drunk in small glasses. It helps improve the digestion process. That’s why it is used as a replacement for coffee or tea. The bangla price for 500 mL is 70–100 INR. The alcohol content of 7-9%.

Kanji

Kanji is the most famous desi daru brand of north India, which is made for health purposes. It is most common during occasions and ceremonies. It is made of rice, jaggery, and yeast. Kanji taste depends upon the raw material used for fermentation and its condition. Sweet and bitter kanji are often the most common. This refreshing drink can be served hot or chilled. Kanji’s price for a 750-ml bottle is INR 300. The alcohol percentage in kanji varies between 8 and 12 percent.

Bhang

Bhang is India’s strongest desi daru, and it is most common in hilly areas. The cannabis plant is used to produce bhang. It has been most common in India for centuries. Sikhs and Hindus used it in their religious ceremonies. It is a thick green fluid made of grained powdered cannabis, ghee, and honey. There are several forms of bhang: plain bhang, bhang lassi, and bhang chutney. It is a source of painkiller drugs in India. Bhang is illegal in India.

Sonti

Sonti is a non-alcoholic Indian desi daru drink made of boiling jaggery or sugar with water. It has a sweet and spicy flavor. Plain, spicy, and sweet sauces are available in India. Cooled sonti is often used rather than hot sonti. It is taken after meals as it can help in the digestion process. It is most common in Andhra Pradesh. People in Andhra Pradesh used it in their weddings and other festivals. Its price for 500 ml is INR 45. It is a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage.

Gudumba

Gudumba is one of the finest Indian desi daru brands that has been fermented from unrefined sugar. It is most common in rural areas of India. It is a festive drink for rural people of India. They enjoyed it with great love. The drink is used for medicinal purposes by the old villagers of India; the important thing is that it is very effective against inflammation. It gained its name in 2015. Now it is part of the menu of most bars and pubs in India. The gudumba price for 500 ml is INR 120. The alcohol percentage in Gudumba is 6%.

Kallu

Kallu is an Andhra Pradesh-based traditional desi daru brand that has been distilled from the palmyra tree. It is a milky, white-colored, sweet alcoholic beverage. Kallu is available in different forms, like regular kallu, kallu shik, kallu papu, and kallu jolla. It is served in small pots or glasses. It can be used by mixing with other suitable drinks to enhance the taste and flavor. kallu drink can help in enhancing immunity and the digestion process. Kallu’s price for a 750-ml bottle is 140 Indian rupees. The alcohol percentage in kallu is 7%. 

Arak

Arak is an Indian desi daru brand that has been distilled from anise, grapes, and molasses. It is a famous drink in Asia that has been used as a curative drink for a long time. Arak is available in different aromas and tastes in India. The most acceptable and tasty araks are Turkish arak, Lebanese arak, Greek arak, and Indian arak. It is the most famous in Kerala and the first choice of visitors. The price of 500 ml of arak in India is 250 Indian rupees. It is a very strong drink, as it has an alcohol percentage of 43% ABV.

Sekmai Yu

Sekumai yu is a desi daru brand from China made from sugar and rice. But it is more common among Indians, who use this superb drink in their daily lives. It is served with snacks and other crispy foods. It has two main varieties in India; Sekumai yu Light Variety and Sekumai yu Original Variety. These vary on the basis of aroma and taste. Now it is a part of cafes and restaurants in most of the Indian states. Sekumai yu for 500 ml in India is 140 INR. The alcohol content in Sekumai yu is very low compared to other desi daru brands, at 0-6% ABV.

Urak

Goa, India, is the hub of most of the Indian Desi Daru brands. Urak is also a desi daru brand that is distilled from cashew apples and toddy palms. In India, it is a strong and healthy alcoholic drink. The light and dark urak are the two main types of urak. It is usually drunk in chilled form with crispy food. It is a popular drink for Goa tourists. This refreshing drink is a sign of enjoyment. This is a little bit of a strong alcoholic drink with an alcohol percentage of 20% ABV. Urak’s price for a 500-ml bottle in Goa is 390 INR.

Importance of Desi Daru in India

Desi daru brands have been an important part of Indian culture and heritage since 500 B.C. This practice was continued throughout the history of the Sub-continent during different rulers’ times. It had also been a part of exports during the time of the Mughal emperor. French, English, Persian, and Spanish merchants were also fans of some Indian Desi Daru brands. They also export it at that time.

Desi Daru is a source of income for almost 1.5 million people in India. It has a huge market of 50 million dollars. For social and religious ceremonies, these desi daru brands have a special place. They never compromised when they had any function.

How strong Desi Daru is

Desi Daru is a medium-strength alcoholic beverage in India with an alcohol content of 25–40%. The quality and nature of the raw materials have a large impact on the strength of desi daru. Different grains, sugarcane juice, and molasses are often used to create this majestic drink in India.