MIND THE POUR
The Economics of What India Drinks
Why does the same bottle cost 3x more across a state line?
Alcohol is one of India's largest consumer industries — and one of its least understood. We decode the pricing, taxes, bar economics, brand psychology and culture behind what India drinks. With receipts.
Liquor prices & taxes by state
State excise duty is the single biggest reason prices swing so wildly. Start here:
Goa — Low price tier · Private retail Karnataka — High price tier · Private retail (high tax) Delhi — Medium price tier · Government corporations Maharashtra — Medium-High price tier · Private retail Tamil Nadu — Medium-High price tier · Government monopoly (TASMAC) Puducherry — Low price tier · Private retailPopular explainers
Price DecodedWhy is alcohol not under GST in India?
Price Decoded Why do liquor prices vary so much across Indian states?
Drink Smart What is a standard drink, a peg, a large and a patiala peg?
Bar Economics How do bars price cocktails? Pour cost explained
All explainers → · Brands, decoded →
What we cover
- Price Decoded — how excise duty makes or breaks the shelf price.
- Bar Economics — pour cost, cocktail margins, menu psychology.
- Brand & Status — why you pay for the label, not always the liquid.
- Premiumization — India's award-winning single malts.
- Drink Smart — standard drinks, labels, and consumer literacy.
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