Let’s agree – the revolution that India has experienced in the last few years. We have seen the Indian gin landscape blooming like never before. What used to be the tiniest section of bar menus has now taken over the country with an endless list. Even today you will find at least one good bottle of a gin in everyone’s collection. This subsequently paved the way for more and more Indian brands to conquer the Indian gin market with their inventions. The main ingredient in the process of making gin is juniper berries, which are grown in moderate amounts in India. While some brands use Indian brands, most others source them from Europe. But having said that, what makes Indian gins stand out is the use of some interesting botanicals. Brands use a variety of herbs and spices including clove, turmeric, coriander, orange peel, hemp and more, revolutionizing the whole idea of mixing gin.
We bring you some of our favorite homegrown gin brands that are causing a stir in the Indian gin market. Read on to learn our recommendations.
Here are 6 Indian gin brands to add to your home bar setup:
1. Short Story Gin:
If you want to try something new and fresh, then you must try Short Story Gin. Launched in September 2022, this house brand introduces triple distilled classic London Dry Gin with Juniper Backbone. It is currently available in Mumbai, Goa, Delhi and Bangalore.
Favorite Brew: Short Story – 30ml, Tonic Water – 100ml, Garnish: Ginger, Cucumber, Green Chilli Slice
2. Strangers and Sons:
Due to its unique botanical makeup, Stranger & Sons has a three-dimensional flavor profile. Citrus rinds give the gin a lovely freshness on the front palate, which is rounded off with a strong blend of warm spices including black pepper, mace, nutmeg and coriander giving it a strong spicy middle. Licorice, bay leaf and mace make the finish smooth, earthy and sweet. In 2020, the brand was named one of the eight best spirits in the world by the International Wine & Spirits Competition. Later, it also made its way to the Asian Spirit Masters 2021 list.
Favorite Mixture: Stranger & Sons – 45ml, Indian Tonic Water – 120ml, Garnish: Ginger Slice
3. More than:
Greater Than is the first Craft Gin and London Dry Gin manufactured in India by NAO Spirits. A white spirit made with botanicals sourced from around the world, clean juniper flavors, fresh lemon peel on the nose and a zing of ginger on the finish, making this perhaps the perfect spirit for summer. In addition, the mix is also dominated by some popular Indian flavourings, including coriander, fennel seed, chamomile and lemongrass.
Favorite Mixture: Over 30ml Indian Tonic Water – 100ml Garnish: Kefir Lime or Gondraj Lemon Wedge
4. Hapusa:
Another version by NAO Spirits, Hapusa, which means juniper in Sanskrit, is the first Indian gin to be made with Himalayan juniper berries. The irresistible flavor and aroma of juniper prevails in the gin and is complemented by other indigenous botanicals such as Gondhraj lime, fresh turmeric, raw mango, ginger, cardamom, almond and coriander seeds. The elusive juniper berries found near the snow line in the Himalayas give the gin a lovely structure, while turmeric and delectable raw mango make Hapusa a unique contemporary gin.
Favorite mix: Hapusa – 45 ml (chilled for two hours), topped with ice
5. Terai:
What we enjoy most about this London Dry Gin is that it echoes every taste and aroma we grew up with. Sweet, citric and nutty – Terai offers a wonderful balance of many flavors in one glass. It is prepared in Rajasthan by Swaroop of Globus Spirits and contains 11 herbs and spices, mainly sourced from Khari Baoli – Delhi’s famous spice market. In addition to juniper berries, herbs used in a bottle of Terai include coriander, lavender, rose, orange peel, lemon peel, basil, orris root, and more. Not just this, Terai also comes in an interesting bottle that has been designed to resemble the pillars of ancient Indian temples.
Favorite mix: Terai – 60ml, Campari -30ml (preferably chilled), Sweet Vermouth – 30ml (preferably chilled)
6. Jinjin:
We say GinGin is a must try! Created by 25-year-old distiller Shubham Khanna, GinGin brands itself as the only single-shot distilled hemp gin in India. It contains nine botanicals including common Himalayan juniper berries. The addition of butterfly pea flower, cinnamon, lavender, rosemary, cumin, etc. makes the drink one of a kind. And don’t fret, the cannabis used here is non-intoxicating. So drink to the glory!
Favorite Mixture: GinGin – 45ml, topped with ice
Try these desi gins and let us know which one did you like the most.