Gin drinking in India has changed fast: once dominated by a handful of imported London-dry labels, the market today mixes trusted imports with strongly flavoured Indian craft gins. Below is a researched, up-to-date (2025) guide to seven excellent gins you can commonly buy in India for under ~INR 3,000 (for a 700–750 ml bottle), each entry includes approximate price in Delhi & Mumbai, tasting notes, best serves, and why it’s worth considering. Prices vary by state and retailer, so treat them as indicative.
Best Gins Under INR 3,000 in India
1. Beefeater London Dry Gin - classic, reliable value
- Typical price: Delhi INR 1,450 for 750 ml. Mumbai INR 2,400 for 750 ml.
- ABV: ~40%
- Tasting notes: Juniper-led, vivid citrus peel, light herbal backbone - very clean and straightforward.
- Best for: Classic Gin & Tonic, martini, and cocktails where you want a sturdy, uncomplicated gin.
- Why buy: Beefeater gives you the textbook London-dry baseline at a low price; it’s predictable and mixes extremely well.
2. Tanqueray London Dry Gin - punchy citrus & juniper
- Typical price: Delhi INR 1,790 for 750 ml. Mumbai INR 2,900 for 750 ml.
- ABV: ~40%
- Tasting notes: Strong juniper and peppery spice with bright citrus notes, more assertive than many supermarket gins.
- Best for: G&T with quality tonic, Negroni (if you want gin to shine), or a sharp martini.
- Why buy: Tanqueray is a great value for a bold, juniper-forward gin, excellent when you want the gin character to stand out in cocktails.
3. Bombay Sapphire - aromatic, citrus-forward, easy to mix
- Typical price: Delhi INR 1,880 for 750 ml. Mumbai INR 3,000 for 750 ml.
- ABV: ~40%
- Tasting notes: Softer juniper with pronounced citrus and delicate floral/herbal botanicals; gentle on the palate.
- Best for: Long G&Ts, low-effort cocktails, serves with Mediterranean garnishes (lemon peel, basil).
- Why buy: A crowd-pleasing, versatile gin that’s slightly more delicate than Tanqueray- great when you want aromatic complexity without overpowering botanicals.
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4. Greater Than London Dry Gin (India)- India’s original craft contender
- Typical price: Delhi INR 1,100 for 750 ml. Mumbai INR 1,750 for 750 ml.
- ABV: ~42% (may vary by bottling)
- Tasting notes: Juniper-forward with fresh citrus, a floral lift and subtle spice - a contemporary London-dry built for cocktails.
- Best for: Elevated G&Ts and cocktails that benefit from craft botanicals.
- Why buy: One of India’s earlier craft successes, widely praised for balancing Indian flavour sensibilities with classic gin structure.
5. Stranger & Sons - spice-forward Indian craft gin
- Typical price: Mumbai INR 2,575 for 750 ml.
- ABV: ~43%
- Tasting notes: Warming Indian spices (liquorice, mace, cassia) layered over juniper and citrus - unique, slightly sweeter finish.
- Best for: G&Ts with orange or spice-forward tonics; also good in more adventurous cocktails that call for an “Indian” flavour profile.
- Why buy: If you want a gin that reads as distinctly Indian in character (not just a London dry), Stranger & Sons is one of the best expressions at a reasonable price.
6. Bulldog London Dry Gin - modern, slightly floral
- Typical price: Delhi ~ ~INR 2,450 for 750 ml. Mumbai INR 2,520 for 750 ml.
- ABV: ~40%
- Tasting notes: Lavender/flowery top notes with citrus and a balanced juniper base; smooth mouth‐feel.
- Best for: Stylish G&Ts, cocktails where a subtle floral lift helps (think elderflower or citrus garnishes).
- Why buy: Bulldog is a slightly modern take on London dry, smoother and more floral and sits comfortably under the INR 3,000 threshold in most Indian retail listings.
7. Value pick: Local/Regional Craft Gins
- Typical price: Delhi ~ INR 1,750 (e.g., Greater Than: ~INR 1,750 per 750 ml) Mumbai ~ INR 1,750
- Why this category matters: Brands like Samsara, Clearly Good, Baagh, and other small-batch Indian gins offer unique botanicals (mango, local herbs, Himalayan juniper, even rainwater-sourced distillates) and are excellent if you want something characterful and locally made without blowing the budget.
- Best for: Cocktail explorers, gifting, or those who prefer something with an Indian botanical identity.
- Why buy: These craft gins often deliver flavour profiles unavailable in mainstream labels — and at a still-reasonable price under INR 3,000.
How to choose the right gin from this list
- If you make lots of G&Ts: Choose Bombay Sapphire or Beefeater, aromatic, mixable, forgiving.
- If you prefer punchy martinis/Negronis: Choose Tanqueray or Beefeater - strong juniper and structure.
- If you want an Indian identity/spices: Choose Stranger & Sons or Greater Than - Indian botanicals or spice boxes make cocktails interesting.
- If you like floral/modern styles: Choose Bulldog or regional craft bottles - nice with lighter tonics or citrus garnishes.
Buying tips (India, 2025)
- State taxes vary a lot. The same bottle can cost very differently across states and even within cities – always check a local retailer.
- Bottle sizes matter. The prices above refer mostly to 750 ml unless otherwise noted; smaller sizes may cost proportionately less.
- Try a few serves before committing. A gin that’s perfect in a martini may feel flat in a G&T (and vice-versa). Start with a simple G&T (50 ml gin:120-150 ml premium tonic, plenty of ice, garnish) to assess.
- Look for craft/limited editions at duty-free or specialist shops if you want unusual botanicals – just check price: many premium or limited runs will exceed INR 3,000.
Summing Up
In 2025, the Indian gin market offers excellent options under INR 3,000 for every taste and style. From classic London-dry staples like Beefeater and Tanqueray to aromatic, versatile gins like Bombay Sapphire, and innovative Indian craft expressions such as Greater Than and Stranger & Sons, there’s something for every cocktail preference. Whether you enjoy a crisp G&T, a bold martini, or a spice-forward Indian-style serve, these gins provide quality, versatility, and value, making it easy to build a well-rounded home bar.