Let’s all agree – India has undergone a gin revolution in the past few years. We have seen India’s gin landscape blossom like never before. What used to be the smallest part of a bar’s menu has now taken over the country with an endless list. So now you will find at least one bottle of good gin in everyone’s collection. This then paved the way for other Indian brands to innovate, conquering the Indian gin market. The main ingredient in the process of making gin is juniper berries, which are grown in India in moderate quantities. While some brands use Indian brands, most other brands are from Europe. But having said that, what makes Indian gin stand out from the crowd is the use of some interesting botanicals. The brand uses a variety of herbs and spices including cloves, turmeric, coriander, orange peel, hemp and more, revolutionizing the whole idea of ​​gin concoctions.
We bring you some of our favorite homegrown gin brands that are creating a buzz in the Indian gin market. Read on to find out our recommendations.
Here are 10 Gin brands that promise to delight your taste buds – NDTV Food Recommendations:
1. Gin Short Story:
If you want to taste something new and fresh, then Short Story Gin is a must try. Launching in September 2022, this house brand offers a classic three-flute London dry gin with a juniper backbone. Currently available in Mumbai, Goa, Delhi and Bangalore.
Favorite ingredients: Short story – 30 ml, tonic water – 100 ml, garnish: slices of ginger, cucumber, green chili.
2. Stranger And Sons:
Due to its unique botanical makeup, Stranger & Sons has a three-dimensional flavor profile. The orange peel gives the gin a beautiful freshness on the front palate, which is rounded off with a healthy and strong mix of warm spices including black pepper, mace, nutmeg and coriander that give a strong spicy center. Liquorice, cassia bark and mace create a smooth, earthy and sweet blooming finish. The brand was announced as one of the eight best gins in the world by the International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2020. Later, it also entered the list of the Asian Spirit Masters 2021.
Favorite drink: Stranger & Sons – 45 ml, Indian tonic water – 120 ml, garnish: ginger slices
3. More than:
Greater Than by NAO Spirits is the first craft gin and London Dry gin made in India. White spirit made with botanicals from all over the world, clean juniper taste, with fresh lemon peel on the nose and the zing of ginger on the finish, making perhaps the perfect summer spirit. In addition, the concoction is also dominated by some popular Indian flavors such as coriander, fennel seeds, chamomile and lemongrass.
Favorite ingredients: More than – 30 ml, Indian tonic water – 100 ml, Garnish: kefir lime or gondhoraj lemon slices
4. Delete:
Another variant by NAO Spirits, Hapusa, meaning Juniper in Sanskrit, is the first Indian gin made with Himalayan juniper berries. The unmistakable taste and aroma of juniper prevails in the gin and is enhanced with other indigenous botanicals such as gondhoraj lime, fresh turmeric, raw mango, ginger, cardamom, almonds and coriander seeds. Found close to the snow line in the Himalayas, the elusive Juniper Berries provide a beautiful structure to the gin, while the delicious raw turmeric and mango make Hapusa a unique contemporary gin.
Favorite herb: Hapusa – 45 ml (chilled for two hours), crushed with ice
5. Meaning:
What we love most about this London dry gin is that it resonates with every flavor and aroma we’ve grown. Sweet, citric and nutty – Terai offers a balance of different flavors in the glass. It is handcrafted in Rajasthan by Swarups of Globus Spirits and includes 11 herbs and spices, mainly from Khari Baoli – Delhi’s famous spice market. Besides juniper berries, herbs used in Terai bottles include coriander, lavender, rose, orange peel, lemon peel, tulsi, orris root and others. Not only that, Terai also comes in an attractive bottle designed to resemble the pillars of ancient Indian Temples.
Preferred ingredients: Terai – 60 ml, Campari -30 ml (preferred), sweet vermouth – 30 ml (preferred)
6. Want:
We say GinGin is a must try! Created by 25-year-old distiller Shubham Khanna, the GinGin brand itself is India’s only distilled hemp gin. It includes nine botanicals including the usual Himalayan juniper berries. The addition of butterfly nut flowers, cinnamon, lavender, rosemary, caraway seeds and more makes the drink one of a kind. And don’t worry, the hemp used here is not intoxicating. So drink to glory!
Favorite drink: GinGin – 45ml, top with ice
7. Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
Hayman’s Old Tom Gin is a classic gem that exudes great 18th century vibes. Made the old fashioned way, it’s like a sip of history on glass. Packed with ten amazing botanicals, like juniper, coriander, and orange peel, this gin delivers a real Old Tom flavor. Back in the day, this was the Go-to London Gin for the family, and guess what? It still rocks in cocktails like Martinez, Tom Collins, and Ramos Gin Fizz. A secret family recipe delivers a tangy juniper punch with a subtle sweetness. It’s the perfect choice for a great Gin and tonic. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised!
8. Happiness in a Bottle
Check out the “Happiness in a Bottle: A Happily Crafted Gin” collection with three delightful variants: Joy of Juniper, Joy of Pink, and Joy of Citrus. Each variant offers a unique and enticing taste experience. “Joy of Juniper” has a juniper-forward flavor with an ashwagandha flavor, while “Joy of Pink” combines a blend of strawberry, pink grapefruit, lychee, rose petals, pink pepper, hibiscus flower, ashwagandha, and cinnamon. , all perfectly placed to create a pleasing shade of pink. For a refreshing twist, try “Joy of Citrus,” featuring flavors of Gandharaj lemon, grapefruit, lemon leaf, ashwagandha, and juniper berries.
9. Tanqueray Rangpur
Tanqueray Rangpur is an exceptional gin made with a rare and distinctive citrus fruit – the elusive Rangpur orange, and four botanicals, including bay leaf and ginger. It offers a zesty and vibrant taste that transports you to the beauty of Indian Rajah. Juniper and lime harmonize with Rangpur lime, creating an extraordinary and refreshing experience.
10. Kumaon & I
India’s first provincial dry gin created by Himmaleh Spirits is a tribute to the distinctive terroir and rich flavors of Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region. A natural Himalayan dry gin made from fresh Himalayan water sources, containing a distinctive selection of 11 regional botanicals, slowly distilled at the source to extract maximum flavor and give the spirit a distinct texture. Kumaon & I is made from unique Himalayan, Eastern Juniper, berry-like Szechuan pepper that contains a blend of fruits and spices, and Black Turmeric, grown at an altitude of over 10,000 feet. with a complete growth cycle and a richly concentrated flavor. It is complemented by coriander seeds and two distinct citrus fruits – Galgal, a local citrus variety, and Kinu, which introduces a sweet note.
Try these head gins and let us know which one you like best.
