Let’s agree – India has experienced a gin revolution in the last few years. We have seen the Indian gin landscape blossom like never before. What used to be the smallest section on the bar menu has now taken over the country with an endless list. So much so that today you will find at least one bottle of fine gin in everyone’s collection. This then paved the way for more and more Indian brands to come up with their inventions, which conquered the Indian gin market. The main ingredient in the gin making process is juniper berries, which are grown in moderate quantities in India. While some brands use Indian ones, most others source them from Europe. But having said that, what makes Indian gin stand out is the use of some interesting botanicals. Brands use various herbs and spices including cloves, turmeric, coriander, orange peel, cannabis and more,
We bring you some of our favourite domestic gin brands that are making waves in the Indian gin market. Read on to know our recommendations.
Here are 10 gin brands that promise to delight your senses – NDTV Food Recommends:
1. Short Story Jin:
If you want to taste something new and refreshing, then do try Short Story Gin. Launched in September 2022, this homegrown brand offers triple-distilled classic London dry gin with a juniper backbone. It is currently available in Mumbai, Goa, Delhi and Bangalore.
Favorite Mix: Short Story – 30 ml, Tonic Water – 100 ml, Garnish: A slice of ginger, cucumber, green chilli
2. Stranger and Sons:
Due to its unique botanical makeup, Stranger & Sons has a three-dimensional flavour profile. Citrus peels give the gin a lovely freshness on the front palate, which is rounded off with a robust blend of warm spices including black pepper, mace, nutmeg and coriander that give it a strong spicy middle. Licorice, cassia bark and mace make the finish smooth, earthy and sweet. The brand was declared one of the eight best gins in the world by the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2020. Later, it also made it to the Asian Spirit Masters 2021 list.
Favourite Blend: Stranger & Sons – 45ml, Indian Tonic Water – 120ml, Garnish: A slice of ginger
3. More than this:
Greater Than by NAO Spirits is the first craft gin produced in India and a London Dry Gin. Made with botanicals sourced from around the world, the white spirit has a clean juniper flavour, with a fresh lemon peel on the nose and a hint of ginger on the finish, making it perhaps the perfect spirit for summer. Additionally, the blend also includes some popular Indian flavours like coriander, fennel seed, chamomile and lemongrass.
Preferred Mix: Greater Than – 30 ml, Indian Tonic Water – 100 ml, Garnish: Kaffir Lime or Gondhraj Lemon Slice
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4. Hapusa:
Another variant produced by NAO Spirits, Hapusa, which means juniper in Sanskrit, is the first Indian gin made from Himalayan juniper berries. The unmatched flavour and aroma of juniper is infused in this gin and is enhanced with other native botanicals such as Gondhraj lemon, fresh turmeric, raw mango, ginger, cardamom, almonds and coriander seeds. The elusive juniper berries found near the snow line in the Himalayas give the gin a beautiful structure, while turmeric and delicious raw mango make Hapusa a unique contemporary gin.
Favourite Mix: Hapusa – 45ml (chilled for two hours), topped with ice
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5. Terai:
What we love most about this London dry gin is that it matches every flavour and aroma we grew up with. Sweet, citric and nutty – Terai offers a wonderful balance of multiple flavours in one glass. It is handcrafted by the Globus Spirits formats in Rajasthan and comprises of 11 herbs and spices, primarily sourced from Khari Baoli, the famous spice market in Delhi. Apart from juniper berries, the herbs used in a bottle of Terai include coriander, lavender, rose, orange peel, lemon peel, basil, orris roots and more. Not just that, Terai also comes in an interesting bottle that is designed to resemble the pillars of ancient Indian temples.
Preferred mix: Terrai – 60 ml, Campari – 30 ml (preferably chilled), Sweet Vermouth – 30 ml (preferably chilled)
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6. Gingin:
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 the common Himalayan juniper berries. The addition of butterfly pea flowers, cinnamon, lavender, rosemary, caraway seeds, etc. makes this drink unique. And don’t worry, the hemp used here is not intoxicating. So enjoy!
Favorite Mix: Ginjin – 45ml, ice to top
7. Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
Hayman’s Old Tom Gin is a classic gem reminiscent of 18th-century Old Fashioneds. Made the old fashioned way, it’s like sipping history in a glass. Packed with ten of the finest botanicals like juniper, coriander and orange peel, this gin gives you the feel of a real Old Tom. Back in the day, it was their family’s London gin, and guess what? It still rocks in cocktails like the Martinez, Tom Collins and Ramos Gin Fizz. The secret family recipe delivers a smooth, subtle sweetness with a tart juniper punch. It’s the perfect choice for a wonderfully delicious gin and tonic. Get ready to be pleasantly surprised!
8. Happiness in a bottle
Explore the “Happiness in a Bottle: A Happily Crafted Gin” collection with three exquisite variants: Joy of Juniper, Joy of Pink and Joy of Citrus. Each variant offers a unique and delightful taste experience. “Joy of Juniper” has a juniper-forward flavor with ashwagandha, while “Joy of Pink” is a delightful blend of strawberries, pink grapefruit, lychee, rose petals, pink pepper, hibiscus flowers, ashwagandha and cinnamon, beautifully blended to create a stunning pink color. For a refreshing twist, try “Joy of Citrus”, which has the invigorating flavors of Gandharaj lemon, grapefruit, lemon leaf, ashwagandha and juniper berries.
9. Tanqueray Rangpur
Tanqueray Rangpur is an extraordinary gin made with a rare and distinctive citrus fruit – the elusive Rangpur lime and four botanicals, including cassia and ginger. It delivers a vibrant and vivacious flavour that reminds you of the exotic Indian king. Juniper and citrus combine with Rangpur lime to create an extraordinary and refreshing experience.
10. Kumaon and I
India’s first provincial dry gin crafted by Himalaya Spirits is a tribute to the distinct earthiness and rich flavours of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. An all-natural Himalayan dry gin crafted from fresh Himalayan spring water, it comprises a distinctive selection of 11 regional botanicals, carefully slowly distilled at the source to extract maximum flavour and give the spirit a distinct texture. Boasting a unique earthy essence, Kumaon & I is crafted from a unique Himalayan juniper, Timur, a berry-like Sichuan pepper that is a delightful blend of fruit and spice, and black turmeric, grown at an impressive altitude of over 10,000 feet, giving it an extended growth cycle and richly concentrated flavour.
Try out these heady gins and let us know which one you liked the most.
