Try curated gins this weekend in Mumbai

Sip on a curated selection of Indian and international picks at a festival this weekend that will celebrate and educate visitors about the spirit

The gin dialogue keeps getting more exciting by the year, and India is basking in its glory with countless small batch and homegrown brands taking creative pathways to showcase the spirit. Once a medicinal liquor made by monks in Europe, the distilled alcohol has juniper berries as one of its main ingredients. The rest of the ingredients is the maker’s choice, which is why no two gins can be the same. The Gin Explorer’s Club by Food Talk India is hosting its Space City Edition for the first time at Mahalaxmi Race Course. As you sip your gins, groove to DJ sets by Culoe De Song, J Babe, Kayan (DJ Set), Lynston (Throwback) and Madstarbase. The food at the fest will be helmed by Jio World Drive who will dish out menus by Motodo, SeeSaw, Tacos & Buns By Tori, Papacream, The Sassy Café, Neel, and Arbab. There’s also Yeti, Burma Burma, and Nino Burgers to choose from.

Anjali Batra (right), co-founder of Food Talk India and festival organiser, says, “One of the reasons why gin is becoming popular is because it doesn’t have to replace spirits like whisky or vodka, but can be an easy add-on. Apart from juniper berries, every other ingredient and botanical is up to the maker — from citrus flavours, spices to even coffee. This makes people curious about gin. Don’t we Indians love flavours? When I travel, I always want to try  new gins. We don’t need intense cocktails. A gin and tonic will taste different depending on the gin used.”

For the vocal-for-local drinker

Terai is a dry gin which has an intrinsically Indian flavour profile and character that begins with lush green notes and citrus zest, followed by floral bouquet and a sweet, pine-like juniper aroma. The 11 botanicals are mainly sourced at Khari Baoli — Asia’s largest spice market in Delhi.

For the extrovert drinker

A stranger is a stranger until you clink glasses with them. The botanicals include home-grown pepper, lemon and coriander, as well as a mix of Indian citrus peels like gondhoraj limes from Kolkata. A versatile gin for cocktails, Stranger and Sons is a good place to start your gin journey.

For the refined palate

Tamras, a neutral grain spirit, is distilled from the finest Punjab rice, and has 16 botanicals from India and around the world, including lotus flower foraged in north Goa with citrusy elements sourced from mosambis.

For the adrenaline junkie

One of our favourites, No Sleep gin by Greater Than is a coffee-infused gin steeped in Sleepy Owl coffee that will keep you up all night. Trust us, gin won’t be the same again on tasting this.

For the experimental drinker

Combining strong Indian and Japanese flavours, Doja is a yuzu-forward gin. You’ll taste peppermint from the Northeast, cardamom from south India, and a far eastern influence — thanks to hinoki chips — yuzu lemon and sansho pepper from Hokkaido.

For the seasonal drinker

Japanese gin Roku uses six botanicals including Sakura flower, Sakura leaf, yuzu peel, sencha tea (green tea), gyokuro tea (refined green tea) and Sansho pepper. Each botanical has been harvested at the peak of its season.

For the bespoke drinker

The City of Pink is distilled with their signature 11 botanicals and further infused with fresh floral extracts and summer berries. This edition is best enjoyed on the rocks in a gin and tonic, or when topped with sparkling wine.

On: May 7 to 8, 3 pm to 10 pm 
At: Mahalaxmi Race Course, KK Marg, Mahalaxmi. 
Log on to: insider.in
Cost: Rs 1,250 onwards

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