11 Top Indian Gin Brands to Drink

A glass of gin can take the edge off a long day and there are a number of Indian gin brands available.

For many, gin may not seem like a go-to drink in India but more and more brands are being launched.

Making gin can be a time-consuming process.

It involves distilling a neutral grain alcohol with juniper berries and other botanicals to make the fragrant spirit we all know and love.

In India, more distilleries are making gin and are quickly becoming popular, being sold in shops and bars.

Here are 11 top Indian gin brands to try out.

Hapusa

Hapusa is made by Nao Spirits and it is a more premium gin brand.

Hapusa, which is Sanskrit for juniper, is the world’s first dry gin made with Himalayan juniper.

To enhance the flavour, ingredients such as turmeric, mango, coriander seeds and almonds are added.

Hapusa has floral notes with a long smoky finish.

Available in Goa, Mumbai and New Delhi, Hapusa is the perfect gin to drink straight up with a garnish of mint.

Greater Than

Greater Than is one of India’s first gin brands to kickstart the gin revolution.

Anand Virmani and Vaibhav Singh started Perch Wine & Coffee Bar in New Delhi and were looking out for new and interesting gins to stock their bar.

The lack of Indian gin brands resulted in them creating Greater Than under their company Nao Spirits.

Their gin is made from a wheat-based spirit, infused with botanicals with juniper berries from Macedonia, citrus from Spain and angelica root from Germany.

When it comes to Indian flavours, there are coriander, fennel seeds, chamomile, ginger and lemongrass.

Greater Than is available in Goa, Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru, and is great to have as a classic gin and tonic.

Stranger & Sons

Goa-based Stranger & Sons was created in 2018 by Sakshi Saigal, Rahul Mehra and Vidur Gupta’s Third Eye Distillery.

The trio launched the company as they wanted to develop a gin that was made in India.

This gin is loaded with Gondhoraj limes, coriander, black pepper and cassia bark. Every sip is warming thanks to the pepper, nutmeg and hint of citrus.

It has a lingering cinnamon finish.

Stranger & Sons is a citrus-dominant gin that is ideal with an infused tonic.

You can also make Negroni’s Gimlets or classic Martinis with this Indian gin brand.

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin comes from Radico Khaitan, one of the oldest whisky distillers in India.

It was launched in 2018 and it is a triple-distilled neutral grain spirit which is re-distilled in a traditional copper pot.

It is made from a blend of botanicals such as lemongrass, Darjeeling Green Tea, citrus peels, juniper and other Indian herbs.

When it comes to taste, juniper takes centre stage but there are hints of liquorice and citrus.

The multitude of flavours means that Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin is ideal for a cocktail. Some options include Mango Panagam and Rose Spritz.

Samsara

Samsara is distilled with 11 botanicals using the classic London Dry method.

It is the first drink made by Spaceman & Company, which was founded by Aditya Aggarwal.

This gin has floral and citrus aromas, with a hint of spice and earthiness.

Its main ingredient juniper is sourced from Macedonia.

But other botanicals such as blood oranges, cassia bark, angelica root and rose petals are sourced across India.

Gin Gin

Gin Gin is India’s first hemp gin and it was founded by Shubham Khanna, who travelled to New York to study the gin-making process.

It uses nine botanicals including hemp, Himalayan juniper, coriander, lavender, rosemary, caraway seeds, cinnamon, lemongrass and butterfly pea flower.

Gin Gin is also India’s first single-shot vapour-infused gin, making it more of an exciting prospect to sit back and enjoy.

Shubham says: “I want Gin Gin to be a gateway spirit for the entire category.

“In this regard, adding hemp as a botanical would help pique a consumer’s curiosity.”

Terai

Terai was founded by Shekar Swarup and it is a “grain-to-glass” craft gin made in Rajasthan.

He says: “India has a history that’s full of tales of feasts and celebrations.

“We wanted to create a product that draws from this history without being ‘exotically Indian’.”

The result is an attractive product that draws on temple architecture, numismatics and handicrafts for its design and plays with Indian flavours in a less than obvious manner.

Terai has a hint of sweetness and spiciness. There is also a citrus flavour, making it ideal to use in a Martini.

Tickle Gin

Tickle Gin comes from Adinco Distilleries, the makers of popular coconut rum Cabo.

This Indian gin is made with Himalayan juniper, orange peel, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander seeds, clove and black pepper.

There is a prevalent flavour of juniper with notes of pepper and cardamom.

Tickle is made using the cold extraction method, which Adinco Director Solomon Diniz says “helps maintain the characteristics of the spices in the gin and allows the spirit to be infused with a certain freshness”.

Enjoy Tickle as a classic Gin and Tonic.

Jin Jiji

Jin Jiji is perhaps the world’s first gin to use cashew nuts.

It uses Himalayan junipers and is distilled with other botanicals such as tulsi and chamomile.

Jin Jiji is distilled in a copper pot still in Goa and the ‘Jiji’ is derived from the Hindi word jijivisha to describe a passion and lust for life.

The flavour profile has a herbaceous complexity along with floral and citrus notes.

While it tastes great with ice, it is recommended to pair it with an elderflower tonic.

Pumori

Pumori is named after Mount Pumori and is produced by Fullarton Distilleries in the woodlands of Candepar, Goa.

It is a 100% homegrown gin and it features 12 botanicals sourced from across India.

This includes Himalayan juniper, orange peel, lemon peel, cardamom, coriander seeds, liquorice, nutmeg, rosemary, aniseed, cinnamon, almond and vanilla.

The liquorice root and cardamom give this gin a dash of freshness.

Meanwhile, it is rounded off by vanilla and almond notes.

Tamras

Created by Khalil Bachooali and Devika Bhagat, Tamras is made using 16 botanicals.

This includes coriander seeds, black and green cardamom, sweet lime, grapefruit, pepper, lotus seeds, and fennel.

It has a strong juniper flavour while it also has a hit of citrus.

The smooth and silky finish makes this Indian gin a well-rounded one.

These gin brands are some of the best in India, offering an array of tastes and aromas.

Some are mellow while others are flavoured, meaning that there is an option for different gin preferences.

So, whether you want to enjoy a glass by yourself or impress your friends, check out these Indian gin brands.