If the 2010s were about the gin revival, the 2020s are all about the rise and evolution of Indian gin. With distilleries that are thinking differently, mixologists who are reimagining India’s artisanal cocktail template, and wealthy Indian travellers who are back on the road after a brief pause during the pandemic, Indian gin is enjoying a greater global spotlight than ever before. If you’re shopping for the perfect Indian gin this Diwali season, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Himleh Spirits in the heart of Uttarakhand recently released Kumaon and I, India’s first provincial gin with a farm-to-bottle approach. All botanicals are locally sourced in collaboration with the region’s farming communities. In May 2023, Broken Bat by NOW Spirits was voted Best Gin in Asia at the Gin Guide Awards 2023. The gin makers opted for a process that used Kashmir willow (used for cricket bats) instead of traditional oak barrels to celebrate India’s love of cricket.
Produce:
The earliest mention of gin probably dates back to the 16th century. By that time there were many Flemish distillers (in modern-day Netherlands and Belgium) who were distilling genever, a predecessor of gin, with juniper berries. Genever was a common medicine for stomach and kidney ailments. The British shortened genever to gin and by the 1700s it became one of the most widely distilled spirits in Britain. The first versions of genever also used herbs and spices such as anise, cumin and coriander along with juniper berries.
Also read:8 gin brands that promise to delight your senses – NDTV Food Recommends
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Types of Gin:
There is no clear classification for gin, this has allowed different interpretations of the spirit to flourish over the years. Strictly speaking, juniper berries need to be the main flavoring agent for gin to be classified as gin, but there are some modern gins that do not use juniper berries. Most juniper berries grow in the wild, unlike grapes for wine which are grown organically. There is no restriction on the number of botanicals for flavoring – each gin has a different count. Kumaon and I uses Himalayan juniper along with 10 other locally sourced botanicals from the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Hapusa is another Indian gin that uses Himalayan juniper. Nowadays distilleries use either the pot still method or the column still
There are many types of gin, but you will most likely love London Dry or Distilled Gin. London Dry is arguably the quintessential gin with natural ingredients and flavours that should be part of the original distillation process. Flavours and colourings are never added after the distillation process. London Dry does not have to be distilled in London. Distilled gin follows the same process as London Dry, but flavours can be added after distillation. Many modern gins follow this process as new flavouring agents have emerged.
How to enjoy great Indian gin?
Ansh Khanna and Samarth Prasad, architects at Kumaon & I, believe that you should never be afraid to drink your gin without any fuss. I agree. We look for cocktail recipes right after buying our first bottle of gin. I would suggest you taste a small amount of gin with a simple tonic or soda water to understand the flavour of the gin. This will allow you to start experimenting with ingredients for your cocktail mixes. Once you have done that, try one of the simple gin and tonics. G&Ts originated in India in the 19th century and G&Ts have evolved a lot in the last few decades. Once you have mastered a few G&Ts, it is time to try some cocktails. As you understand your taste preferences, you can also try incorporating seasonal Indian ingredients into your cocktails for a unique botanical journey. I’ve tried everything from fresh turmeric to Gondharaj lemon (a popular ingredient in many Bengali households) to create a unique twist on a classic gin cocktail.
Also read:Gin: The zesty revolution sweeping cocktails and Instagram
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Setting Up Your Home Bar
If you plan to try G&Ts and other cocktails at home, bring along these bar essentials:
- The right glass: I would recommend at least three types of glasses for gin lovers. A Copa glass for your G&Ts, a highball glass which is very versatile and you can use it for any gin cocktail served on the rocks. And then there’s the martini glass for the classic martini which never goes out of fashion.
- Three-piece cocktail shaker
- PEG measurement
- two long bar spoons
- Hawthorn strainer
- conical fine sieve
- a muddler
- 550-800-Watt Centre Detachable Hand Blender with Jar
Try These Cocktail Recipes at Home
Simple Kumaon G&T
Recipe Courtesy – Kumaon and Me
Material
- Gin 60 ml
- Soda water: 60 ml
- Tonic water: 60 ml
- splash of lemon juice
- Mix all the ingredients with ice and serve garnished with lemon.
The hills of Jaisalmer
Recipe Courtesy – Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin
Material
- Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin 60ml
- 2-3 basil leaves
- Grape juice 90 ml
- Lemon juice 50 ml
- 5-6 ice cubes
- Tonic water 60 ml
- Garnish: Grape slices and golden hearts
- Method: Stirred
- Shake all ingredients and then add ice and stir. Strain it over ice in an old fashioned glass and sprinkle tonic. Garnish with grapes and basil leaves.
Pockets full of greenery
Recipe Courtesy – Hendricks Gin
Material:
- 50 ml gin
- 8-10 torn mint leaves
- 30 ml cucumber juice
- 20 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 35 ml aloe vera juice
- 30 ml soda water
- Add gin, cucumber and lemon juice along with mint in a glass and mix slowly till it becomes pulpy. Add lots of crushed ice and churn. Add aloe vera juice and soda and mix. Add more crushed ice and make a mound.
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