Veganism as a lifestyle approach is taking the world by storm and rightfully so! Now, it has entered the world of alcohol. While it might be difficult to believe how alcohol can turn vegan, trust us, it’s a well-established fact today! So, if you, too are keen on exploring the vegan lifestyle, you can certainly begin by exploring what’s in store for you in the world of alcohol. Let’s start the journey with gin, shall we? Here’s everything you need to know about the new wave of vegan liquor and some amazing vegan gin varieties you ought to try!
Vegan Liquor: What Is It, Characteristics, And Vegan Gin
What Makes Liquor Vegan or Non-Vegan?
The first question that might come to your mind is: “What makes liquor vegan or non-vegan?” Well, to answer this question, it is important to take a look at the ingredients that go into the making of liquor.
To produce liquor, many brands might use animal-derived ingredients. Some of these ingredients are especially helpful in the filtration and clarification processes of these products while some like honey and castoreum are used to enhance the liquor flavor. Here are a few of these ingredients:
- Casein (milk protein)
- Egg whites (in some wines)
- Honey (from honeybees)
- Castoreum (musky flavoring derived from beaver glands)
- Gelatin (from animal bones)
- Isinglass (from fish bladders)
To make a certain liquor vegan, it must get rid of these products and other animal-derived ingredients. While the vegan liquor movement has not picked up pace in India yet, the movement has certainly captured the fancy of many consumers across the globe. This is especially relevant when consumers are making conscious decisions concerning their alcohol consumption. Veganism, that was only limited to food habits, has now transformed into an active lifestyle and that also includes our drinking habits and preferences.
Vegan Gin Varieties In India
Now that we’re discussing vegan liquor, we shall slowly cover different kinds of vegan spirits and liqueurs through a series of articles. For now, we’ll focus on the crowd-favourite juniper goodness in a bottle: gin. This humble, botanicals-rich liquor is known for its distinct flavors that combine the goodness of plenty of botanicals.
Gin is one such liquor that is mostly vegan thanks to the use of botanicals. However, not all gin varieties are a part of a completely vegan production process. For example, some gins might use honey or other animal-derived products that take away their credit of being vegan. Worry not, if you like your gin and wish it were vegan, we’re helping you out! Here are a few gin brands in India that are completely vegan!
Also Read: Gin Under INR 5000 That Every Gin Lover Must Have
Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin
This homegrown craft gin brand takes pride in serving completely vegan gin. Made with 11 handpicked botanicals like Darjeeling green tea and lemongrass among others, the craft gin is a result of masterful craftsmanship honoring Indian heritage. The gin is cruelty-free and made with the highest ethical standards.
When it comes to taste, don’t worry about any sort of compromise, for the gin offers a smooth, balanced taste. The right balance of earthy, sweet, and spicy flavors works well with Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin and this is what makes it perfect for discerning, conscious taste buds.
Price: INR 4190 (Delhi Duty Free stores), INR 5070 (Mumbai) for a 750 ml bottle
Bombay Sapphire
Bombay Sapphire needs no introduction, does it? This iconic gin brand has a deep-rooted legacy of crafting some of the finest gin on this planet, and we are not even exaggerating! However, if you’re vegan, let us tell you that you can consume this liquor guilt-free! The brand has a vegan certification and employs cruelty-free processes.
It uses a unique blend of 10 handpicked botanicals from all over the world. These include the finest junipers, citrus, coriander, lemon peel, and others. Its distinct taste and use of high-quality ingredients make Bombay Sapphire a go-to spirit when it comes to gin. Also, if you’re interested in knowing more about how the gin got ‘Bombay’ in its name, you must read our article on the intriguing Bombay connection of Bombay Sapphire.
Price: INR 3,190 (Delhi); INR 3,000 (Mumbai); INR 2,000 (Goa)
Terai India Dry Gin
This gin is not only vegan but also proudly homegrown. Terai India Dry Gin is a London dry gin that incorporates the concept of the grain-to-glass liquor. Terai contains 11 unique botanicals that have been sourced from Khari Baoli – Asia’s largest spice market. These botanicals include juniper, lavender, angelica root, citrus peel, rose petals, and many other ingredients. Moreover, the Indian dry gin takes authenticity to another level – it is produced in the Land of the Royals, Rajasthan!
Terai India Dry Gin is rooted in London dry gin traditions but it also preserves its distinct Indian flavors perfectly. The flavor of the gin is such that it is perfectly sweet, with herbaceous flavors with a dry spice and savory finish. So, if you like London dry gin with a desi (and vegan) twist, this is your sign to try Terai!
Price: INR 1900 to INR 2700 for a 750 ml bottle across Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow. Kindly check for availability in other cities.
Also Read: 9 New Launches In 2025 So Far That You Need To Know About
Summing Up
Vegan liquor is not just a passing trend – it’s slowly becoming a lifestyle that many are choosing consciously. Indian consumers are yet to pick up on this lifestyle, but there are enough gin varieties in India that are already vegan. With a bit of awareness, you can now choose cruelty-free liquor and consume it guilt-free! So the next time you pour yourself a drink, why not make it one that’s kinder to the planet, too?
