India has been experiencing a wave of appreciation for homegrown gin in the last few years after the Covid-19 pandemic. Appreciation for the spirit couldn`t come at a better time because the palate of every Indian has evolved over the last decade, as they have not only travelled across the world but also know what they like and dislike.
Every year, World Gin Day is observed on the second Saturday of June, and this year it falls on June 13, to celebrate the spirit that has a close connection with India, as it was the birthplace for Gin & Tonic, one of the many gin cocktails that India and the world loves and celebrates today.
It is this connection that may be seeing a comeback as many people not only drink it for its flavours but have also seen Indian mixologists use it as a part of their cocktail menus while experimenting with its flavours.
Even as there are loyalists, there are those who want to try out new flavours, and these very mixologists believe there is a lot that you can do with the spirit. It is also why they share recipes for gin cocktails that not only use seasonal ingredients but also change the way you perceive the spirit.
Kokum Rush
Making the most of kokum during the summer season, Sanket Shinde, who is the food and beverage manager at Athiva Resort & Spa in Khandala, says you can make a boozy yet delicious kokum rush. He explains, “It is a refreshing harmony of mint and citrus, gracefully infused with gin and layered with a tangy kokum touch.”
Ingredients:50 ml London dry Gin 20 ml Fresh Lemon Juice 15 ml Kokum Syrup12 nos Mint Leaves3 drops Foamer
Method:1. Add 12 mint leaves into a shaker and gently muddle to release aroma (do not over-crush).2. Pour in 20 ml fresh lemon juice and 15 ml kokum syrup.3. Add gin (standard peg ~45–60 ml).4. Add 3 drops of foamer5. Fill the shaker with ice.6. Shake hard and well until chilled and slightly frothy.7. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.3. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
Candy Crush
If you want to play around with flavours, then Jones Elish, who is the beverage head at Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality Pvt. Ltd, which owns Social and more, says you can make Candy Crush. Use the popular pulse candy along with summer infusions like passion fruit, along with orange, he says the cocktail is absolutely delicious while also letting you appreciate the spirit.
Ingredients:60 ml Pulse Candy Infused Gin (Home-Made)15 ml Passion Fruit Syrup90 ml Orange Juice6–7 drops Saline Solution (20 per cent) 1 stick Mix Sugar Coated Candy
Method:1. In a cocktail shaker, combine Pulse Candy Infused Gin, Passion Fruit Syrup, Orange Juice, Saline Solution, add ice and shake gently until well mixed.2. Strain the mixture into a clean glass bottle.3. Wrap the bottle with Gelatin paper and seal with stickers for a playful presentation.4. Serve alongside a square ice block in a rock glass5. Garnish with mix sugar coated candy.
The Cajun Botanist
It is no different with Nibaran Mandal, who is the senior F&B Supervisor, The Deltin Suites in Goa, who wants you to celebrate tropical flavours this summer with The Cajun Botanist. He explains, “It is a refreshing blend of fresh herbs, tropical guava, and a hint of spicy Cajun heat. It is crisp, balanced, and layered with botanical notes, with a savoury finish.”
Ingredients:60 ml Gin90 ml Guava Juice10 ml Fresh Lemon Juice15 ml Maple Syrup1 dash Angostura Bitters1 pinch (plus extra for the rim) Cajun Spice2 leaves Fresh Basil Leaves1 pinch Black Salt (Kala Namak) (plus extra for the rim)
Method:1. Prepare the rim: Rub a lemon wedge along the rim of a chilled Hansa glass. Dip the rim into a mixture of black salt and Cajun spice.2. Muddle: In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the basil leaves with the maple syrup to release the herbaceous aromas.3. Mix: Add gin, guava juice, lemon juice, Angostura bitters, and a pinch of black salt to the shaker.4. Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well chilled.5. Strain: Double strain into the prepared Hansa glass over fresh ice.6. Garnish: Finish with a light dusting of Cajun spice over the top.
World Gin Day 2026: Follow these easy recipes to enjoy flavourful gin cocktails
