World Gin Day is an annual celebration for enthusiasts and newcomers alike, offering a perfect occasion to explore the expanding world of gin. This year, the options are more diverse than ever, featuring exceptional craft distilleries from India that are making their mark globally, alongside established century-old London houses and innovative European brands.
From the unique botanicals of Meghalaya and Goa to the classic juniper-forward profiles of the Black Forest and London, this guide showcases the best Indian and international gins worth experiencing.
Exceptional Indian Gins
1. Stranger & Sons Gin
Hailing from Goa, Stranger & Sons is widely credited with elevating Indian craft spirits onto the global stage. Distilled with nine distinctively Indian botanicals, it presents a bright citrus and juniper opening, followed by a robust mid-palate of black pepper, coriander, and mace. The finish is complex and approachable, featuring notes of angelica root, cassia bark, liquorice, and nutmeg. Co-Founder and CEO Rahul Mehra emphasizes, "We never set out to make an Indian gin. We set out to make a great gin that could only come from India." It excels in a G&T, cocktails, or neat.
2. SAṂSĀRA Vale of Paradise: Saffron Gin
A true taste of Kashmir, SAṂSĀRA's Vale of Paradise masterfully blends Himalayan juniper, saffron, and traditional kahwah tea. This intricate and aromatic gin is deeply rooted in the valley it draws from, offering an unmistakable sense of place. Founder Aditya Aggarwal highlights its journey through "place and flavour," representing world-class craftsmanship rooted in local stories and ingredients.
3. SAṹSĀRA Secret Orchard: Jamun and Pink Salt
The playful counterpart, Secret Orchard, transforms the traditional Indian summer fruit, jamun, into a vibrant and unexpected gin. The addition of pink salt provides an intriguing edge, balancing the fruit's sweetness and creating a gin that evokes nostalgic memories.
4. Cherrapunji Mountain Berry Gin
Built around Meghalaya's wild sohiong berries, Cherrapunji Mountain Berry Gin encapsulates the essence of Northeast India's landscape. This internationally awarded gin reflects founder Mayukh Hazarika's commitment to representing his region. "Every botanical, every design choice, and every bottle has to be world-class because I'm not just representing a brand; I'm representing Northeast India."
5. Jaisalmer Gin
An award-winning premium gin from Radico Khaitan, Jaisalmer utilizes traditional botanicals and comes in a distinctive, elegant bottle, reflecting its royal heritage.
6. Terai Gin
Distilled in Rajasthan, Terai gin features 11 botanicals, with the prominent flavor of tulsi (holy basil) providing a unique, aromatic profile.
7. Zoya Pink Mix Berries Gin
For those who favor a fruit-forward experience, Zoya's Pink Mix Berries blends a classic juniper base with strawberries, cranberries, blackberries, and raspberries. This blush-pink, smooth, and indulgent gin offers a contemporary take that appeals to both seasoned drinkers and curious newcomers.
8. Pumori Small Batch Gin
Crafted in Goa's Candepar woodlands, Pumori marries Himalayan juniper with 12 handpicked Indian botanicals, including Gondhoraj lemon, cardamom, and orange peel. It's a deeply aromatic and distinctly Indian gin, complex enough for enthusiasts yet approachable for new explorers.
Acclaimed International Gins
9. Monkey 47 – Black Forest, Germany
With forty-seven botanicals and 100 days of rest in earthenware vessels, Monkey 47 is anything but subtle. Locally foraged spruce tips and lingonberries from Germany's Black Forest intertwine with citrus, florals, herbs, and spices. The nose offers zest, berries, and fresh herbs, while the palate reveals layers of juniper, citrus, lavender, rosemary, and angelica root, finishing with a distinctive Black Forest minerality.
10. Beefeater London Dry Gin
The only international premium gin still produced in the heart of London, Beefeater has maintained its award-winning status for over 150 years. James Burrough's 1863 recipe steeps nine botanicals for 24 hours, yielding a classic, robust gin with pronounced juniper, citrus zest, coriander, and angelica root. It's clean, crisp, and reliably excellent.
11. Malfy Con Limone – Turin, Italy
Produced by Torino Distillati, Malfy celebrates Italian citrus, featuring lemons from the Amalfi Coast and Sicilian pink grapefruits, distilled with pure spring water and Italian juniper. Con Limone offers a clean, refreshing, lemon sorbet-like taste with a soft finish, ideal for light cocktails or brunches.
12. Roku Gin – Japan
Meaning "six" in Japanese, Roku combines six unique Japanese botanicals—sakura flower and leaf, sencha and gyokuro tea, sansho pepper, and yuzu peel—with a traditional gin base. The nose is sweet and floral, leading to a yuzu-forward palate with layered complexity and a gentle, distinctive sansho pepper finish.
13. Hayman's Old Tom Gin
A bartender's favorite, Hayman's Old Tom revives the London gin style popular 150 years ago. It offers bold citrus and juniper pine with a smooth, subtly sweet character, making it the go-to for classic cocktails like the Martinez and Tom Collins.
14. Hayman's Peach & Rose Cup
This delightful expression combines fresh peach, sweet rose, and juicy orchard fruit with Hayman's London Dry gin. Perfect for picnics and long summer evenings, it's best served in a large wine glass with premium lemonade and fruit garnish.