Indian Gin Brands That Can Make For Great Gifts This Wedding Season

Clear the stage, vodka– there's a new spirit in town, and it's taking India by storm. The gin revolution has swept across the subcontinent, with homegrown brands bottling the essence of India's diverse landscapes and rich botanical heritage.

"The popularity of Indian gin is expected to rise in the future, both domestically and internationally," notes Sandy, Bar Manager at Thanks and Beyond Delhi. "Indian consumers are increasingly proud of the quality of domestic spirits, with craft gins gaining prestige and recognition."

This shift in consumer perception is further highlighted by Gurpreet Singh, Co-Founder & Director of World of Brands, who observes, "Young white spirit consumers who use popular mixers have finally renewed their love affair with gin, recognising it as the more versatile of white spirit drinks."

With this resurgence of interest, let's explore nine of the most coveted Indian gins that are making waves in the world of spirits.

Homegrown Gin Brands To Know

Cherrapunji Gin: A Toast to the Wettest Place on Earth

Tasting Notes: Fresh, citrusy, with herbal undertones reminiscent of rain-soaked greenery.

Imagine sipping on liquid sunshine filtered through the misty hills of Meghalaya. That's Cherrapunji Gin for you. Using rainwater in its production, this eastern craft gin brings together juniper from the Himalayas, Khasi mandarin, and smoked tea from the Lushai hills. Housed in a sustainable, military-grade steel bottle adorned with colourful local artwork, it's as much a visual treat as it is a sensory delight.

The Great Indian Gin: A Subcontinent in a Bottle

Tasting Notes: Balanced blend of traditional juniper with Indian botanicals, offering a rich and layered flavour.

When asked to describe his gin in three words, Gurpreet Singh offers: "Colourful. Youthful. Indian." True to its name, this gin is a liquid representation of India's grand diversity. With every sip, you'll discover subtle notes of cardamom, cassia bark, and pepper, followed by a fruity journey of juniper berries and citrus. It's like taking a whistle-stop tour of India's spice markets – no passport required!"Great Indian Gin is very Indian from the first look. All elements in its packaging shout out its Indian heritage." He adds, "We've created the product keeping in mind Indian tastes, with slightly spicy notes reflecting this."

Doja Gin: An Indo-Japanese Love Affair

Tasting Notes: Yuzu is dominant with hints of cedar, sansho pepper, and hinoki, perfectly balanced with Indian spices.

Bridging two rich cultural heritages, Doja Gin is a testament to the art of fusion. Crafted by a master distiller in Wakayama, Japan, and produced in Goa, this gin marries exotic Japanese flavours with traditional Indian botanicals. The result? A spicy, intense gin that's both familiar and intriguingly different.

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin: Liquid Gold from the Golden City

Tasting Notes: Refreshing with a slightly spicy finish, featuring notes of coriander, vetiver, and lemongrass.

If Rajasthan's royal heritage could be distilled into a spirit, it would be Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin. With 11 botanicals, seven sourced from across India, each sip is a journey through the subcontinent's flavours. The regal packaging, featuring a black buck and the iconic Jaisalmer Fort, makes it a gin that doesn't just taste good – it tells a story with every pour.

Mohulo: A Tribal Tale in a Glass

Tasting Notes: Pronounced herbal and floral profile with a subtle sweetness.

Inspired by the Baiga Tribe and their deep connection to nature, Mohulo gin is a celebration of India's indigenous heritage. The gin's unique character comes from the Mahua flower, lending a delicate floral sweetness that intertwines beautifully with classic gin botanicals. It's a spirit that truly captures the essence of the jungle."Known for its crisp, dry nose with delicate notes of pink pepper and juniper, Mohulo has to be one of my favourite gins to work with," says Sandy, Bar Manager at Thanks and Beyond Delhi. "I love to pair it with a fragrant rose lemonade and garnish it with a vibrant hibiscus flower. This combination really brings out the gin's unique character and creates a visually stunning drink that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate."

Samsara Gin: The Circle of Life, Bottled

Tasting Notes: Floral and citrusy, with a subtle whisper of spicy earthiness.

Named after the concept of life's endless cycle, Samsara Gin is a thoughtful blend of 11 handpicked botanicals. Distilled in the London Dry style but with a distinctly Indian twist, it's a gin that brings people together to celebrate self-expression, curiosity, and wanderlust. Perfect for those philosophical late-night conversations!

Jin JiJi: Lust for Life in a Bottle

Tasting Notes: Bold flavour profile with notes of juniper, tulsi (holy basil), and chamomile.

Derived from the Hindi word 'Jijivisha' meaning lust for life, Jin JiJi is an exploration of India's diverse landscape. From the fragrant tulsi leaf to the wildly aromatic chamomile flower, each botanical tells a story. At its heart is wild juniper foraged from the Himalayas – it's like trekking across India, one sip at a time.

Terai: A Sip of the Fertile Plains

Tasting Notes: Herbaceous and floral, with prominent notes of tulsi, fennel, and coriander.

Named after the lush Terai region, this gin is like a bottled Indian garden. It starts with a burst of green notes, lifted by citrus zest, before unfolding into a floral bouquet with a distinct juniper backbone. Each sip is a reminder of the fertile plains that inspired its creation – a true taste of Indian terroir. Sandy describes an intriguing cocktail creation: "We have a signature drink called 'Saffron Punch.' It's made with saffron-infused gin, sambuca, peach and orange blossom, all balanced with a touch of citric acid. It's a great example of how Indian gins can be used in creative, unexpected ways."

Hapusa Himalayan Dry Gin: A Juniper Journey Through India

Tasting Notes: Bold and complex, with dominant notes of wild Himalayan juniper, turmeric, raw mango, and gondhoraj lime.

Hapusa, Sanskrit for juniper, is a gin that truly embodies the spirit of India. At its core is the elusive Himalayan juniper, foraged near the snow line, providing a robust foundation for this uniquely Indian spirit. But Hapusa doesn't stop there – it takes your palate on a cross-country expedition, incorporating botanicals from the Hooghly riverbanks, Tamil Nadu's lush monsoon forests, and Goa's aromatic spice farms. The result is a gin that's both a sensory adventure and a liquid tribute to India's incredible botanical diversity. With its untamed aroma and flavour, Hapusa offers gin enthusiasts a taste of authenticity that's hard to find elsewhere.

As India's gin scene continues to flourish, these nine brands are leading the charge, each bottle a testament to the country's rich biodiversity and innovative spirit."The Gin segment is expected to grow much faster than the overall spirit segment with opportunities for new brands to emerge successfully." added Singh, while also stating that “The gin will see a lot of innovation in the flavoured space, both in colourless and coloured varieties.”Whether you're a gin aficionado or a curious novice, these Indian gins offer a sensory adventure that's bound to leave you asking for another round. So, the next time you're in the mood to shake up your cocktail routine, why not give these homegrown heroes a shot? Your taste buds will thank you for the passage to India!