Stock your bar with Indian distills this Christmas

India brings to you a list of homegrown distills which you can stock your bar with this festive season. Local, artisanal, clean and conscious, these distills promise to keep you in good spirit this Christmas and New Year. Plus we have something for teetotalers too!

Hapusa

Hapusa is distilled with foraged Himalayan juniper and locally sourced botanicals. The addition of turmeric and raw mango make it one of the few savory gins today. The distiller, Anand Virmani, highly recommends Hapusa in a Negroni or served neat, straight from the freezer at “mountain temperature”. With pine forest and wildflowers on the nose, a bold earthiness on the palate and a long, delicately spiced, finish, Hapusa is a sipping gin that you can enjoy any time of the day.

Stranger & Sons

Made from inherently Indian botanicals, Stranger & Sons evokes the essence of the sub-continent in every bottle. Its robust flavour is a perfect blend of black pepper, nutmeg, mace, coriander, liquorice, cassia bark, angelica, juniper and a medley of four aromatic citrus peels. The story of Stranger & Sons begins with the mythical being, known to be native to the Western Ghats mountain range in India who makes appearances at dusk and dawn, frequenting local bars in Panjim, Goa and swapping secrets for drinks with Strangers.

Terai

A “grain-to-glass” Indian craft gin, Terai is the newest gin in town and one that draws from India’s rich past. Packed in a sleek bottle, Terai is one-shot distilled in Rajasthan in a facility that soon promises to open for visitors. Made in a handmade German copper still and infused with 11 botanicals, Terai is fresh and green. The freshness, says Shekhar Swarup, the founder, is an ode to the Terai region. Tulsi, fennel and coriander bring fresh, green notes to Terai, lavender and rose perfume it, and the almonds give it a nutty flavour.

Smoke

Smoke is a fully homegrown vodka range. Made from the finest grains of Basmati rice sourced from the foothills of the Himalayas, it undergoes a 5x charcoal filtration, and the result is an ultra-pure, completely gluten-free and vegan spirit. The classic variant is intense and complex with a smooth finish and bold flavor with fresh nutty aroma. The adventurous aniseed flavor is a delicate mix of fennel and liquorice for a creamy and sweet palate.

Greater Than

Greater Than, India’s first craft gin, is a London dry gin made using some of the best botanicals from India and around the world. Made in a 1,000 liter copper pot source from Hungary, it has clean juniper and fresh lemon aromatic notes with the zing of ginger that lingers on. At an affordable price this is your go-to-gin for all the gimlets and G&Ts.

Amrut Fusion X

Amrut Fusion X whisky is created by further maturing the Amrut Fusion for 4 years in Px-Sherry casks. This limited edition whiskey comes in a special collectible porcelain bottle, crafted in England and the cork from Portugal, while the bottle is presented in a jacket made of lush velvet. Amrut Fusion X has notes of dried fruits, vanilla cream, toffee fudge and an inviting oak note.

Chandon

The Chandon philosophy has been to take its winemaking expertise to new territories, marrying its French heritage with the local culture. Their Indian operation has been no different. Chandon sparkling wines are reflective of the typical fruit characteristics and terroir of Nashik vineyards. They are blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, indicating a fresh, vivacious harmony that is topped off by complexity and roundness. For the festivity season, Chandon has launched a limited edition gift with purchase box.

Tilt

Wine in a can may sound like a blasphemy to some but it is quite fun. This wine in a can from Fratelli is vegan and gluten-free. The wines come in cans and can be savored with ease, anytime, and anywhere. They are also available in unique combinations with indigenous varieties like Thompson, Sharad, Purple, Dilkush, along with some hint of regular wine varietals like Chenin and Syrah.

Non-alcoholic beverages and mixers

No drinks are complete without mixers and the market today is filled with mixers that are unique, homemade, natural, and created with love. Just like the spirits the usage of mixers at home has seen a big jump this year and if you have not tried them yet its time you did now.

Sepoy & Co

Crafted by experts from England and made with natural ingredients, Sepoy mixers are designed for the best spirits and taste equally great as soft drinks. The mixers use over 10 unique botanicals sourced from around the world. Their recently launched floral tonics –
hibiscus tonic and elderflower tonic are an aromatic delight.

Jade Forest

Jade Forest offers low sugar tonic waters, ginger ale and flavored sodas. The beverages are designed to be naturally delicious, with fewer calories, less sugar and zero artificial sweeteners, flavors or coloring.