SHAD SKYE,
SHILLONG
From Features Desk
Step out of Shillong’s narrow lanes and onto a
rooftop where the city seems to fall away. The air
is cooler here, carrying the scent of rain-soaked
pine and faint floral notes that linger like a secret.
Brass glimmers in the fading sunlight, polished
wood feels grounding underfoot, and the horizon
rolls with clouds curling over the hills. In your
hand, a glass reflects the colours of dusk, holding
not just a drink but a story.
This is Shad Skye: part cocktail bar, part cultural
map, and entirely a celebration of the Northeast.
A Name That Dances
The name itself is a story. “Shad” means dance in Khasi, while “Skye”, from the Latin for sky, evokes freedom, movement, and boundless beauty. Together, they capture what this space truly offers, a celebration that rises above, both literally and figuratively.
The name itself is a story. “Shad” means dance in Khasi, while “Skye”, from the Latin for sky, evokes freedom, movement, and boundless beauty. Together, they capture what this space truly offers, a celebration that rises above, both literally and figuratively.
Cocktails That Tell Stories
Shad Skye’s vision is bold yet intimate. It brings together the distinctive ingredients of the eight
Shad Skye’s vision is bold yet intimate. It brings together the distinctive ingredients of the eight
Northeastern states, interpreted with creativity
and care by Head of Beverage, Rishot Laloo. He
doesn’t just mix cocktails, he curates experiences.
“Every cocktail is a conversation between the
land and the glass,” says Rishot. “The goal is for
guests to taste not just the flavour but the place it
comes from.”
Eight States, Eight Flavours
Each cocktail is inspired by a state, turning
heritage into liquid form:
• Living Roots (Meghalaya): Inspired by the
living root bridges, with earthy khus root,
sweet carrot, and resinous pine.
• Delicious Black (Manipur): A tribute to royal black rice harvests, blended with coconut cream and cardamom warmth.
• Tuaite (Mizoram): Bamboo shoot meets jasmine’s floral delicacy and the sharp bite of ginger.
• Wild Bloom (Arunachal Pradesh): Foraged herbs, wild citrus, and floral honey mirror the freshness of the mountains.
• Golden Harvest (Assam): Assam’s iconic tea, woven with orchard fruits and gentle spices.
• Smoked Ember (Nagaland): A smoky marriage of local chillies, charred pineapple, and dark rum.
• Pine Valley (Tripura): Tropical pineapple balanced with kaffir lime and Himalayan salt.
• Orchid Mist (Sikkim): Delicate orchid essence paired with apricot brandy and a subtle sparkle.
• Delicious Black (Manipur): A tribute to royal black rice harvests, blended with coconut cream and cardamom warmth.
• Tuaite (Mizoram): Bamboo shoot meets jasmine’s floral delicacy and the sharp bite of ginger.
• Wild Bloom (Arunachal Pradesh): Foraged herbs, wild citrus, and floral honey mirror the freshness of the mountains.
• Golden Harvest (Assam): Assam’s iconic tea, woven with orchard fruits and gentle spices.
• Smoked Ember (Nagaland): A smoky marriage of local chillies, charred pineapple, and dark rum.
• Pine Valley (Tripura): Tropical pineapple balanced with kaffir lime and Himalayan salt.
• Orchid Mist (Sikkim): Delicate orchid essence paired with apricot brandy and a subtle sparkle.
Every recipe starts with a journey, a hillside
market at dawn, a conversation with a farmer, or a
trek to a remote valley. Rishot spends weeks
tracing each flavour to its roots before slowly
crafting infusions back in Shillong. It’s a
meditative process where patience and precision
decide when a cocktail finally feels complete.
The Shad Skye Classics
Beyond the state-inspired collection, the Shad Skye Classics reimagine timeless cocktails with local character:
Beyond the state-inspired collection, the Shad Skye Classics reimagine timeless cocktails with local character:
Ghost Pepper Picante: Tequila meets the fiery
ghost pepper, balanced by rose petals and crisp
apple juice.
Culantro Mojito: A refreshing twist on the classic, using culantro instead of mint.
Darjeeling Iced Tea: A misty mountain memory with black tea, guava juice, and a sparkling lift.
Culantro Mojito: A refreshing twist on the classic, using culantro instead of mint.
Darjeeling Iced Tea: A misty mountain memory with black tea, guava juice, and a sparkling lift.
A Rooftop That Breathes
The space itself is an experience. Minimalist design, warm brass accents, and clean wooden lines allow the panoramic view of Shillong to shine. Each detail, from the furniture to the lighting, is chosen with intention, creating a space that feels both luxurious and grounding.
The space itself is an experience. Minimalist design, warm brass accents, and clean wooden lines allow the panoramic view of Shillong to shine. Each detail, from the furniture to the lighting, is chosen with intention, creating a space that feels both luxurious and grounding.
But beauty here is matched with purpose. Shad
Skye is deeply committed to sustainability,
sourcing locally and building partnerships with
growers, foragers, and communities. Every
cocktail becomes not only a drink but a way of
honouring the land and its people.
More Than Just Cocktails
At Shad Skye, drinks do more than quench thirst; they tell stories, carry traditions, and celebrate landscapes. Each sip feels like a dance, each glass like a piece of sky.
At Shad Skye, drinks do more than quench thirst; they tell stories, carry traditions, and celebrate landscapes. Each sip feels like a dance, each glass like a piece of sky.
And in Shillong, where the hills meet the clouds,
that makes Shad Skye unforgettable.