A Botanical Revolution: India Gin Growing Passion for Spirit

India Gin

The Indian spirits industry has traditionally been dominated by whiskey, but gin is now experiencing tremendous growth. Several small craft distilleries have emerged in recent years focused exclusively on gin production. These entrepreneurs are tapping into Indians' increasing interest in premium and artisanal spirits.

Mumbai-based Kinobeer was one of the first craft distilleries to produce India gin market when they launched in 2016. Founders Rahul and Priya Mehrotra became fascinated with the distillation process during a trip to Scotland and decided to introduce the concept of craft gin to India. They began experimenting with botanicals sourced from across India to develop unique flavor profiles. Their gins feature ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, cassia bark and green cardamom. "We wanted to showcase the tremendous diversity of plants and herbs found in India through our gin," said Rahul.

Other notable craft distilleries include Stranger & Sons in Bengaluru, Greater Than in Goa, and Jungle Spirit in Delhi. Stranger & Sons is known for using over 20 botanicals in their Signature gin including kokum, jamun, and tulsi basil. Greater Than locally sources most of their botanicals from within a 50 km radius of their coastal Goan distillery. Jungle Spirit Botanical Gin takes inspiration from ancient Ayurvedic remedies and features botanicals like ashwagandha, amla and mint.

Experiential Drinking Culture

Part of India Gin rising popularity comes from the experiential drinking culture that has emerged around craft varieties. Urban bars and restaurants actively promote "gin journeys" where patrons can sample different botanical expressions. "Customers are keen to learn about the provenance of different botanicals and how they influence the flavor profile. It drives conversation and builds an emotional connection to the brand," says Vikram Achanta, CEO of Tulleeho Craft Distillers in Bengaluru.

Events like World Gin Day on June 9th see hundreds of attendees sampling gins from across the country. One such event hosted by the Bombay Canteen last year included over 30 Indian craft gin brands. As pride in locally sourced ingredients grows, these tastings help establish gin as a sophisticated spirit that showcases India gin market natural diversity. Food pairings with gin have also increased its popularity beyond the regular gin and tonic.

Premiumization & Export Potential

Growing interest in premiumization from young urban Indians bodes well for craft gin. According to the International Wine and Spirit Research group, the premium spirits market in Craft gin's unique flavor profiles position it as a premium niche product. Bottles from leading Indian craft distilleries retail between Rs. 1500-4000, compared to popular global gin brands available between Rs. 800-1500.

With quality and provenance becoming increasingly important for discerning global consumers, craft India gin market also holds export potential. While still relatively small volumes, Indian gin labels have already started appearing on shelves in countries like the UK, Australia and Southeast Asia. The emphasis on botanicals contributes to gin's image as a spirit that celebrates local terroir. As production scales up and more skilled personnel are trained in distillation techniques, craft gin could emerge as a key area for India gin market to establish its presence in global premium spirits.

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Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)