Celebrate National Gin & Tonic Day with Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin

It’s National Gin and Tonic Day, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate a virtual happy hour than enjoying a refreshing Gin & Tonic with Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin (SRP: $50; purchase here). What sets this Gin aside from others is that it’s triple-distilled and inspired by the historic city of Jaisalmer, which is located in the northwest state of Rajasthan in India.

Sanjeev Banga, President of International Business of Radico Khaitan was kind enough to chat with me about their Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin and share a bit more about the company. Here is a Luxe Beat Magazine exclusive interview and of course we’re including their gin and tonic cocktail recipe below.

How did Radico Khaitan get started and what inspired the launch of the business? 

Rampur Distillery was established in 1943 distilling sugarcane molasses alcohol. We then added grain and malt distilleries followed by a Gin plant. Radico operates distilleries in two locations; Rampur in North India and Aurangabad in Western India. Between the two locations, we produce 13 million liters of alcohol every month, making us one of the largest distilleries in Asia. We supply our alcohol to all major beverage alcohol producers in India namely Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Bacardi, etc. We also export our alcohol to over 35 countries worldwide including the USA.

Radico is also the largest Indian beverage alcohol producer making Whisky, Rum, Vodka, Brandy, Gin and Vodka based RTD.  With 5 millionaire brands, we sell over 20 million cases annually. Radico brands are currently available in over 85 countries.

We launched Rampur Indian Single Malt Whisky in 2016 and it has been very well received by our global consumers. During our interaction with consumers in the US, UK, EU etc., whilst promoting our Single Malt, we realized that Gin was on resurgence and Craft Gin was the next big thing.  That made us think about launching an authentic Indian Craft Gin, which is how Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin was born.

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin is a triple-distilled spirit, handcrafted in a traditional copper pot still in small batches at Rampur Distillery, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. The use of botanicals is a time-honored tradition in India and the various Jaisalmer Gin recipes are derived from the ancient Indian knowledge of herbs.

Seven of the 11 botanicals used in the distillation come from the four corners of India. Coriander and Vetiver, a complex spice with intriguing peppery notes, are grown in the fields around Jaisalmer itself, Sweet Orange Peel from Central India which compliments the citrus and floral tones of the gin, Cubeb Berries from Southern India, Darjeeling Green Tea leaves from Eastern India, Lemon Peel from Western India and Lemongrass from Southern India. Other botanicals include Angelica Root, Liquorice and Caraway Seeds which lend a spicy, slightly anise-tinged flavor to the gin. We wanted to retain the classic gin flavor using Juniper Berries while adding a refreshing twist with Indian botanicals. Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin is an ‘Oasis in the Desert’ and a drink ‘Fit for the Royalty’.

What is your favorite brand and cocktail?

My favorite brand would have to be Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin and Jaisalmer Gin & Tonic with an orange peel, remains my all-time favorite cocktail.  In fact, this signature drink celebrates the origin of the Gin & Tonic in British Colonial India, where Indian Tonic Water made with quinine was first created and used to combat malaria in the 1800s.

How do you define luxury? 

It’s very difficult to define luxury in today’s world. Its meaning is ever changing especially for the millennials and the younger generation. However, for me luxury means the finest quality, craftsmanship and more importantly an opportunity to experiment with something new and unique.

What is next for Radico Khaitan?

What’s next for Radico Khaitan is beginning production of hand sanitizer at our distillery where we produce Rampur Indian Single Malt Whisky. We will be supplying our hand sanitizers to local administrations for distribution to hospitals throughout India. In addition, it will be available at India local pharmacies, grocery stores and gas stations. As Radico Khaitan’s products are available in 85 countries, we’re aiming to help in the supply of hand sanitizer globally.

We are also very excited about our future projects. Newer expressions of Rampur Indian Single Malt and also a GTR exclusive variant of Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin are in the pipeline. There are mystical properties about India and therefore, we want to illustrate India’s importance within the beverage alcohol space from all of our products at the company.

To learn more about all of the Radico Khaitan brands visit: radicokhaitan.com.

The Jaisalmer Indian Gin & Tonic

Ingredients:

• 50ml Jaisalmer Indian Crafted Gin
• 125ml Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water
• Orange Peel
• Ice

Instructions: Fill a Copa glass with ice. Add Jaisalmer Indian Crafted Gin and top up with Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water. Add an orange peel garnish twist.

Please drink responsibly.