Celebrated across the world, World Gin Day marks the evolution of a spirit that has travelled far beyond its origins. Today, India stands at the forefront of this shift, with gins that are not only crafted locally but are also shaping global conversations around provenance, identity, and innovation.

Indian gin has entered a new phase, one defined by authenticity and a strong sense of place. This World Gin Day, the spotlight is on spirits that capture the essence of India while earning recognition on the world stage.

Jin Jiji: Crafted in India, Recognised by the World

Jin Jiji has emerged as a defining voice in India’s craft gin movement, bringing together the country’s rich botanical heritage in a way that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted.

Handcrafted with Himalayan juniper, cashew, tulsi, chamomile, and a thoughtfully assembled medley of Indian botanicals, this gin is an attempt to capture the breadth and diversity of the subcontinent in a single glass. Its Darjeeling expression carries something truly rare, the highest grade GI-tagged FTGFOP-1 Darjeeling black tea (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe) one of the most prized and protected tea designations in the world, and an ingredient that could only ever come from one place on earth.

The name itself is derived from the Hindi word jijivisha, meaning “zest for life,” a philosophy that carries through the brand’s journey. Since its international debut in 2017, Jin Jiji has found presence across the US, Europe, Singapore, and Australia, and has been featured in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world.

In 2025, it was awarded World’s Best Gin and Spirit of the Year (India) at the London Spirits Competition, cementing its position as one of the highest-rated Indian gins globally.

Jin Jiji (Indian Dry Gin)

At the heart of Jin Jiji (IDG) lies a thoughtful blend of botanicals native to the Indian subcontinent, each carrying a distinct story of place and provenance. This expression is a quiet celebration of nature’s complexity, brought together with balance and precision.

Tasting Notes: A well-balanced aroma led by soft juniper and gentle sweet spice, layered with delicate floral hints of chamomile and mint. Subtle citrus rind on the nose adds brightness, leading to a smooth, rounded palate and a clean, lingering finish.

Pricing and Availability: ₹980 (Goa), ₹1210, (Uttarakhand), ₹1200 (Haryana)

Jin Jiji – Darjeeling

Inspired by India’s beloved chai culture, this expression is infused with the highest grade Darjeeling tea

and a warming blend of ginger, cardamom, clove, tulsi, and Goan cashew. It brings together the familiarity of tea with the structure of a fine gin, offering a layered and aromatic experience.

Tasting Notes: Fragrant and expressive, with notes of tea and juniper at the forefront, followed by warm spice and soft herbal undertones. A gentle tannic edge from the tea adds depth, while citrus nuances lift the profile, resulting in a refined, well-rounded finish.

Pricing and Availability: ₹1540 (Goa), ₹1620 (Uttarakhand), ₹1800 (Haryana)

Kumaon & I: A Himalayan Expression of Craft

Kumaon & I offers a more immersive, region-led approach to gin-making. Unhurriedly slow distilled, it captures the stillness and spirit of the Himalayas in every drop.

Rooted in a farm-to-bottle philosophy, the gin is crafted with eleven traceable botanicals including Himalayan juniper, timur pepper, wild black turmeric (a rare, uncultivable root foraged from altitudes of 10,000 feet and above), Kalmegh, Thuner, walnuts, rose, cardamom, and galgal. Each ingredient is indigenous, intuitive, and chosen to reflect the land it comes from.

At its core lie three guiding ideas: the Individual, the Ingredients, and the Intent. Together, they shape not just the liquid, but the larger purpose behind it, from women-led foraging initiatives to regenerative farming and sustainable, zero-waste practices.

This is a gin not just made in the mountains, but one that feels shaped by them.

Tasting Notes

A refreshing and layered profile with cooling spice, citrus brightness, and herbal depth. The palate is textured yet balanced, leading to a medium-dry finish that lingers with clarity.

Pricing and Availability: ₹2,710 (Uttarakhand), ₹2,896 (Goa), ₹3,000 (Gurgaon), ₹3,130 (Delhi) A Category Coming Into Its Own

What defines Indian gin today is not just quality, but clarity of identity. It is no longer about borrowing from global traditions, but about building a voice rooted in its own landscape.

This World Gin Day, spirits like Jin Jiji and Kumaon & I stand as examples of how Indian gin is evolving, grounded in heritage, shaped by craft, and increasingly recognised across the world.