Gin has a long history in India dating back to the colonial era. When the British East India Company established a presence in India in the early 1600s, they brought with them their tastes and drinking habits. Gin became popular among British settlers and officers stationed in India as an alternative to local alcoholic beverages. At the peak of the British Raj in the late 19th century, India produced and exported large volumes of bulk grain neutral spirits that were shipped to Britain and distilled into gin. However, indigenous distilling of gin in India was limited until recent years.
Emergence of Craft Distilleries
Beginning in the late 2000s, a new wave of small-batch, artisanal gin distilleries started to emerge across major cities in India. Pioneers like Greater Than in Delhi and Stranger & Sons in Bengaluru were among the first to experiment with Indian-influenced botanicals and distillation techniques. They aimed to produce uniquely Indian styles of gin that highlighted native spices rather than emulate standard London Dry profiles. This new craft distilling movement coincided with growing interest in locally-made spirits as part of India’s developing cocktail culture in urban centers.
Botanical Innovation
One of the most exciting aspects of India Gin is the innovative use of indigenous botanicals. Distilleries are foraging ingredients from across the subcontinent to create layered, complex flavor profiles unlike anywhere else in the world. Popular native botanicals used in India gin include lemongrass, black pepper, vetiver root, hibiscus flowers, saffron, kokum, and curry leaf. Experimenting with these new aromatics has allowed distillers to establish a distinct identity for India gin apart from traditions in England, Holland or Spain. The diversity of regional botanicals also leads to considerable variation between styles produced in different parts of the country.
Expanding Production
Encouraged by growing demand from bartenders and consumers, gin production volumes in India have grown significantly in recent years. Several pioneering distilleries have expanded operations and built new facilities to increase output. In addition, many new craft distilleries continue to spring up across major cities. Northern Indian states like Punjab and Haryana have also emerged as hotspots for gin distilling due to availability of bulk neutral alcohol from grain industries in the region. While craft producers still account for a small percentage of total spirits consumption, their influence on tastes and trends has been enormous. If current growth rates continue, India has potential to become a significant gin exporting nation.
Distribution Challenges
Despite rising popularity, the India gin industry still faces challenges related to distribution infrastructure and regulations. Getting bottles onto liquor store shelves and restaurants nationwide requires navigating a fragmented system of state-level alcohol boards with varying policies. Transportation of spirits also involves extensive paperwork and fees that increase costs. E-commerce offers promise as an alternative sales channel, but online alcohol delivery is still banned or restricted across several states. Simplifying policies around inter-state movement and e-retailing could help smaller distillers expand their reach beyond local markets. Standardizing labeling rules according to central laws may also streamline the distribution process.
Future Opportunities
Looking ahead, the growing Indian middle class and evolving cocktail culture present immense opportunities for craft gin producers. As incomes rise in major cities and younger consumers adopt more globalized drinking habits, premium spirits are gaining appeal. Exposure through trendsetting bars and mixology competitions is further boosting curiosity about artisanal varieties. International buzz around India’s thriving craft distilling industry is also drawing spirits tourists to the country seeking unique tasting experiences. If distillers can navigate regulatory hurdles, the next decade promises exponential growth potential matching trends seen in more developed global gin markets. Innovation with native botanicals also ensures the genre will continue to progress in exciting new directions inspired by Indian flavors.
India gin distilling has come a long way in India since colonial era imports to become a vibrant modern industry. Craft producers are gaining recognition worldwide for their creative takes on the genre using distinctive regional ingredients. While regulatory challenges remain, opportunities for further expansion appear immense given India’s rising affluence and evolving tastes. The uniquely Indian styles of gin being pioneered will likely influence global tastes and aid the genre’s continued evolution in new directions inspired by the subcontinent’s rich botanical heritage.
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