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Indian Gin Cocktails with Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin

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Last Updated on January 2, 2026

Jaisalmer for Indian Gin Cocktails or a classic Gin and Tonic

Jaisalmer is the first Indian craft gin from Radico Khaitan, and named after the historic city.  Its flavours and aromas are cultured to evoke the heady imperial age of the Maharajas and Maharanis. Produced using traditional copper pot stills at a distillery at the foothills of the Himalayas which offers a consistent climate and pure mountain water perfect for gin production.

Eleven botanicals are used in creating the gin, of which seven come from within India, including coriander and vetiver, the zest of orange and lemon peel, cubeb pepper berries, Darjeeling green tea leaves and lemongrass.

Jaisalmer Indian Gin

Sampling the gin neat, you get a smoothness of liquorice with a very evident orange zest.  Gentle heat from the cubeb pepper leaves a long lingering presence.

In true traditional style, this gin is best taken simply with a good Indian tonic.  This brings out more of the coriander and cubeb (which many people mistake for cumin) and gives the drink much more of a fragrant Indian spice taste.  The orange and citrus zest makes this gin much fresher and brighter than you might expect, whilst still allowing you to identify the hidden flavours within.

A slice of lime should be added (never lemon) to sit above a couple of ice cubes for the best enjoyment. An orange rind twist can be used instead of lime for a more fragrant zest.

Jaisalmer Gin and Fevertree Tonic 2

Fevertree tonic is our recommendation.  Apart from being a fine tonic, the name reflects the origin of tonic water and indeed of Gin and Tonic.  The original tonic waters were made with quinine to help ward off malaria in colonial India.  And, the addition of gin was the British way to help disguise the bitter taste of the medicine.  British army officers in the early 19th century started adding water, sugar, lime and gin to make the quinine more palatable to drink – and so the classic gin and tonic was born.  Today’s tonic water contains a lot less quinine and rather more sugar or sweetener, so it’s less bitter.  While you’d have to drink litres of tonic to ward off malaria, it’s a much pleasanter experience and a better base for craft gins like Jaisalmer

This Indian gin is also a  great starting point for a cocktail, with 11 amazing botanical flavours and aromas.

  • Coriander
  • Vetiver
  • Orange peel
  • Cubeb Berries
  • Lemongrass
  • Darjeeling green tea leaves
  • Lemon peel
  • Angelica Root
  • Liquorice
  • Caraway seeds
  • Juniper berries

We are sharing the delicious Jaisalmer Indian Gin ‘Golden Fort’ cocktail as just one suggestion for how to serve this fragrant spirit.

4.79 from 19 votes
Jaisalmer Indian Gin Cocktail
Print
Jaisalmer Golden Fort
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
 

A fragrant and lightly spiced gin cocktail that would make an excellent aperitif.

Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: gin
Servings: 1
Calories: 143 kcal
Author: Jaisalmer Indian Gin
Ingredients
Cinnamon Syrup
  • Cinnamon Syrup
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 cinnamon sticks broken into large pieces
Golden Fort Indian Gin Cocktail
  • 50 ml Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin
  • 15 ml Lime Juice
  • 10 ml Cinnamon Syrup
  • 50 ml Cloudy Apple Juice
  • Garnish: Sliced Green Apple
Instructions
Cinnamon Syrup

  1. Bring all ingredients to a boil over medium heat.

  2. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 8-10 minutes until the sugar has dissolved, stirring frequently.

  3. Remove from heat and let cool

  4. Discard cinnamon sticks, strain into a clean glass jar and cover.

  5. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Golden Fort Cocktail
  1. Pour Jaisalmer Gin over cubed ice.
  2. Add fresh lime juice, cinnamon syrup and cloudy apple juice.
  3. Garnish with an apple fan of 3 slices and add grated nutmeg on top (optional).
Recipe Notes

Make the cinnamon syrup in advance and store in the fridge for up to two weeks

Nutrition Facts
Jaisalmer Golden Fort
Amount Per Serving
Calories 143
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

It’s a great example of an Indian gin cocktail that would pair beautifully with spicy Indian cuisine.  We are looking forward to making a few more Indian gin cocktails ourself – perhaps one with orange and saffron.  And, truly enjoying Jaisalmer Indian gin just for sipping!

Jaisalmer Indian Gin Cocktail

 

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin RRP: £34.95 ABV: 43%  is available from The Whisky Exchange

Looking for a different style of gin cocktail?  How about this delicious raspberry gin cocktail with Pinkster Royale

Fiona Maclean

About Fiona Maclean

An award winning London based freelance writer, Fiona's career started in arts administration, before working for a leading London restaurant group under restauranteur Laurence Isaacson on restaurant brands including The Ivy and Wheelers. With a music degree and an MBA, Fiona's passions include all types of music, food, restaurants, wine and travel and she has now reviewed over 400 restaurants for London-Unattached and written countless classical music and opera features. She is the Founder and Editor of London-Unattached and has written about food, wine and travel for other print and online publications including Metro, &London and Zing Magazine.

Contact Fiona@London-Unattached.Com

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