THE RISE AND RISE OF INDIAN DRY GIN

From colonial relic to craft renaissance, dry gin is shaking up India's spirit scene.

- RACHNA VIRDI

For much of independent India’s history, gin—particularly dry gin—was a relic of the colonial past, tethered to the British Raj and the enduring image of a gin and tonic, once laced with quinine as a malaria deterrent. It was the drink of gymkhanas, officers’ messes, and elite clubs—frozen in a time capsule.

But in recent years, dry gin has emerged as the star of India’s craft spirits revolution. No longer a vestige of the empire, it has been reimagined and redefined for a new generation of drinkers. Homegrown distilleries are at the forefront, producing smallbatch dry gins infused with indigenous botanicals— Himalayan juniper, Gondhoraj lime, tulsi, turmeric, mango, and more. These are not just gins; they are liquid expressions of India’s rich botanical and cultural identity.

A revival rooted in craft and culture

In recent years, dry gin has seen a revival in India, driven by the rise of craft gin brands that celebrate indigenous botanicals and flavours—signalling a fresh chapter in the country’s love affair with clear spirits.

This resurgence is closely tied to the growth of India’s craft spirits movement and an evolving bar culture that champions authenticity, local ingredients, and artisanal production. “The craft cocktail movement has been one of the most powerful engines behind gin’s resurgence in India,” avers Rahul Mehra, CEO & Co-Founder, Stranger & Sons, Third Eye Distillery. "Some of the most exciting bars in the country-whether in Mumbai, Goa, Delhi, or Bangalore-have become creative playgrounds for bartenders who are pushing boundaries with flavour, technique, and storytelling. These bars and bartenders have been instrumental in demystifying gin, moving it beyond the traditional gin and tonic, and crafting thoughtful cocktails that celebrate regional ingredients and seasonal narratives."

RAHUL MEHRA CEO & CO-FOUNDER, STRANGER & SONS, THIRD EYE DISTILLERY