The Rise of Indian Craft Gin
India is witnessing a rise in small batch craft gin distilleries in recent years. While gin has been consumed in the country for centuries, especially in Goa where fenny is popular, craft gin making is a relatively new concept. Several Indian entrepreneurs and distillers are now focussing on producing quality gins with locally sourced botanicals. This craft gin movement is gaining popularity among Indian consumers and helping strengthen the market.
The Pioneers of Indian Craft Gin
Some of the earliest craft gin distilleries in India include Greater Than in New Delhi, Stranger & Sons in Mumbai, and Rahasya in Bengaluru. These pioneers experimented with different botanicals to create gins with distinctly Indian flavours. With their artisanal practices and innovative gin recipes, they helped establish craft gin as a luxury niche category in the country’s alcohol market.
Greater Than started distillery operations in 2015 and was among the first to produce single-batch gins blended with unusual Indian botanicals. Their Navy Strength Gin uses kokum, black currants and amchoor. Stranger & Sons launched in 2016 with gins made from native botanicals like nutmeg, mace and betel leaves. Rahasya crafted signature gins by exploring regional Indian ingredients like tulsi, coriander and black pepper.
The rise of these pioneering distilleries proved there was a viable market and interest for artisanal Indian gin made with careful attention to quality and unique flavours. This encouraged more entrepreneurs to venture into craft gin production.
Expanding the Craft Movement
In the last few years, several new gin distilleries have started across major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa and Chennai. Prominent new players include Jawan India Craft Gin in Delhi, Andhra Organic Gin in Bengaluru, O’Nine Indian Craft Gin in Mumbai and Goa Gin Company in Mapusa, Goa.
These distilleries are elevating gin making to an art form through experimentation. Jawan India Handcrafted uses seasonal foraged botanicals like mulberry leaves and wild fennel. Andhra Organic explores South Indian botanicals like pattharchat and ragi to produce organic gins. O’Nine East India Dry Gin is crafted with Moringa leaves, betel pepper, long pepper and Indian basil. The Goa Gin Company resuscitates native botanicals like beach plum and cashew apple blossom in their gins.
The diversity of craft gins now available, made with carefully sourced regional ingredients, is a true representation of India’s varied local flavours and biodiversity. This has grabbed the attention of foreign markets as well, opening up export opportunities. Several gin festivals are also being organised across major cities to promote the growing craft movement.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While craft gin seems to be gaining momentum, it still faces certain challenges in India. Low awareness about artisanal alcohol and premiumization is an issue. High taxes and regulations make production and marketing difficult for small distilleries. Demand is largely concentrated in the high-income urban areas as well.
For the industry to sustain long-term growth, awareness needs to increase nationwide through coordinated branding and festive activities. The government can offer incentives and relax certain rules to help craft distillers scale up operations smoothly. Expanding into overseas markets will also be vital for growth.
Overall, the Indian craft gin movement shows promising potential despite existing hurdles. As more distillers experiment with native botanicals and develop distinctive gin recipes, the quality and diversity will attract both domestic and foreign connoisseurs. With continuous innovation, evolving regulations and rising awareness, Indian craft gin is well-positioned to carve a notable niche on the global drinks map in future.
Craft gin production spearheaded by pioneering distilleries has grown significantly in India over recent years. Several new players are now exploring regional Indian botanicals and ingredients to craft artisanal gins with distinctive flavours representative of the country’s diversity. While the industry faces challenges, its unique focus on sustainable native ingredients and premiumization show it is well-equipped to strengthen over the long term through active promotion and supportive policies. The growing interest both domestically and overseas signals Indian craft gin is an exciting niche to watch out for.
Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
