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The Indian gin scene has been booming in recent years. The gin market is changing with every drink, and new brands are gaining market share in bars.
Each of these homegrown gins embodies the passion and craftsmanship of their distillers, showcasing the diverse and remarkable flavors that can be found in the world of gin. Adding these to your bar not only amplifies your mixology repertoire but also supports local artisans dedicated to their craft.
While the classics have their well-deserved place, there's an unparalleled charm in exploring locally crafted gins that embody the essence of their origins.
Image Credit: Cherrapunji Craft Gin
1. Cherrapunji Gin
This new homegrown gin from Cherrapunji captures the rain. Cherrapunji Gin, created by Mayukh Hazarika, a native of Shillong, is bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh, creamy junipers from Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayas. There's an aroma of smokiness mixed in with other spices and hot peppers. In the town of Mawsynram, which is close to Cherrapunji, rainwater is collected by Team Cherrapunji, which sources its own botanicals from Northeast India.
While the peppers are produced only in the forests of Meghalaya, the orange peel comes from the GI-tagged Khasi mandarin of Meghalaya, and the tea is imported from Assam. Aside from its manufacturing process, the gin's distinctive feature is its reusable stainless steel bottle, which is adorned with colorful artwork reflecting Meghalayan life. The gin is presently available only in Meghalaya.
Cost: Rs 2,500
2. Stranger & Sons Cherry Cask Aged Gin
After distillation, ex-Amontillado and Oloroso sherry casks were used to rest Stranger & Sons' latest limited-edition Sherry Cask Aged Gin for more than a year, showcasing rich notes of spice, dark fruit, vanilla, and raisins. In addition, wild honey from South Indian forests and cascara, the dried husk of coffee cherries, from Chikmagalur were added to the gin.
These deep-tasting notes give the gin a warm, complex palate that is counterbalanced by the sweetness of wild honey. Enjoy it over ice, with a spritz of the grapefruit garnish spray.
The limited-edition Sherry Cask Aged Gin is available in parts of Maharashtra (Rs 3,499), Haryana (roughly Rs 2,200), Karnataka (Rs 4,300) and Goa (Rs 3,200).
Image Credit: Strager & Sons
3. Chambal Gin
Situated close to the center of India, Chambal is renowned for its wild river of the same name, which has carved out deep gorges and a flora and fauna ecosystem surrounding it. The untamed beauty of the area serves as the inspiration for Chambal Gin, which is made in Madhya Pradesh. The wild cinnamon bark, layers of green and black cardamom, dried lemon peel, and almond infusion—which gives the beverage a smoother texture—all go into making the homegrown gin.
The bottle features regional motifs such as the waves of the free-flowing river, the gharials that can be found just beneath the water's surface, and rifles, which are reminiscent of the notorious dacoits who sought shelter in Chambal's ravines. Savor it with lime, fresh cucumber juice, orange peel, elderflower spirit, and tonic. This is now only available in Delhi.
Cost: Rs 1,950
4. Jin Jiji
Based in Goa, this is an Indian dry gin. The Himalayas also have an impact here. as the botanicals are from there. This one will draw attention with its eye-catching label and entertaining bottle. Additionally, the equally intriguing name "jijivisha" comes from a Hindi word that means "lust for life."
The distinctive flavor of this gin is what sets it apart from the others; only Jin Jiji employs cashew nuts as one of its botanical ingredients. Although they incorporate a variety of botanicals from throughout India, the main attraction is the Himalayan juniper berry. This gin is worth trying because it's one of the few that uses Indian juniper berries, and it has some unusual ingredients.
Cost: Rs 2,230
Image Credit: Jin Jiji Gin
5. Samsara Vale of Paradise
Vale of Paradise is a tribute to the valleys and mountains of Kashmir, whereas Samsara's Pink Gin took drinkers on a tour through the pink city of Jaipur. The new gin is first distilled using a blend of vetiver grass, hemp seeds, cardamom, rose petals, and cubeb berries. Next, it undergoes a second distillation process that includes saffron and Kashmiri kahwa. Warm kahwa flavor notes balance out the crisp aroma, delicate spice, and hint of sweetness from local citrus fruits.
Savor it as a martini or on the rocks, or try it as a savory cocktail. You can prepare a Kashmiri hot toddy with freshly brewed kahwa, 60ml of the spirit, fresh ginger juice, and jaggery if you're feeling particularly innovative. The gin is now only available in Goa.
Cost: Rs 3,200
Image Credit: Samsara- Contemporaray Indian Gin
6. Mohulo
After the first heritage mahua liquor was introduced in August, the main component that's making waves in India's fine-dining setting is now featured in a gin. The distillery behind Smoke Lab Vodka, Smoke Lab, is where Mohulo originates. Along with twelve other primary botanicals, such as honey, basmati rice, orange blossoms, bay leaves, orange peel, liquorice, and coriander, the mahua seed is the primary.
After testing out the concept of utilizing the mahua flower, Smoke Lab was soon engaging with native tribes in Chhattisgarh to determine the ideal blend. A portion of each bottle's sales proceeds will be donated to an organization that helps these tribes. This is a drink for a seasoned, responsible adult who appreciates a variety of alcoholic beverages in addition to gin. To relish its taste don’t add anything, just sip it! Today it is available only in Mumbai and New York.
Cost: Rs 5000
7. Amrut Nilgiris
Taste Amrut Nilgiris, a craft gin from the renowned Amrut Distilleries, and discover the magic of Indian craft gin. With an exquisite combination of paan leaf sweetness, juniper berries, angelica root, coriander, mace, nutmeg, orris root, and a hint of cinnamon for a spicy twist, this unique gin embodies the flavours of the Nilgiris district.
Amrut Nilgiris combines brewed tea with a variety of botanicals, each of which has a distinct purpose, to create a tasteful blend. This gin, which is widely available in India, is evidence of the rising quality of Indian gin production.
Cost: Rs 1,684
Image Credit: Great Indian Gin
8. Great Indian Gin
The Great Indian Gin (GiG) has a special selection of vodka for vodka lovers, which includes Nagpur orange gin and Shimla green apple gin. GiG brings a quirky touch to the mid-range gin market. It was created by industry veterans Gurpreet Singh and Rohan Patnaik under the World of Brands (WoB) umbrella.
GiG, which comes in three flavors—the flagship, green apple, and orange—performs best in a traditional G&T, showcasing its carefully chosen ingredients. Today it is available in Bengaluru, Pondicherry, and Goa.
Cost: Rs 1,788
