World Gin Day 2026: Follow these easy recipes to enjoy flavourful gin cocktails

India has been experiencing a wave of appreciation for homegrown gin in the last few years after the Covid19 pandemic Appreciation for the spirit couldnt come at a better time because the palate of every Indian has evolved over the last decade as they have not only travelled across the world but also know what they like and dislikeEvery year World Gin Day is observed on the second Saturday of June and this year it falls on June 13 to celebrate the spirit that has a close connection with India as it was the birthplace for Gin amp Tonic one of the many gin cocktails that India and the world loves and celebrates todayIt is this connection that may be seeing a comeback as many people not only drink it for its flavours but have also seen Indian mixologists use it as a part of their cocktail menus while experimenting with its flavours Even as there are loyalists there are those who want to try out new flavours and these very mixologists believe there is a lot that you can do with the spirit It is also why they share recipes for gin cocktails that not only use seasonal ingredients but also change the way you perceive the spiritKokum RushMaking the most of kokum during the summer season Sanket Shinde who is the food and beverage manager at Athiva Resort amp Spa in Khandala says you can make a boozy yet delicious kokum rush He explains It is a refreshing harmony of mint and citrus gracefully infused with gin and layered with a tangy kokum touchIngredients50 ml London dry Gin20 ml Fresh Lemon Juice15 ml Kokum Syrup12 nos Mint Leaves3 drops FoamerMethod1 Add 12 mint leaves into a shaker and gently muddle to release aroma do not overcrush2 Pour in 20 ml fresh lemon juice and 15 ml kokum syrup3 Add gin standard peg 45ndash60 ml4 Add 3 drops of foamer5 Fill the shaker with ice6 Shake hard and well until chilled and slightly frothy7 Double strain into a chilled coupe glass3 Garnish with a fresh mint sprigCandy CrushIf you want to play around with flavours then Jones Elish who is the beverage head at Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality Pvt Ltd which owns Social and more says you can make Candy Crush Use the popular pulse candy along with summer infusions like passion fruit along with orange he says the cocktail is absolutely delicious while also letting you appreciate the spiritIngredients60 ml Pulse Candy Infused Gin HomeMade15 ml Passion Fruit Syrup90 ml Orange Juice6ndash7 drops Saline Solution 20 per cent1 stick Mix Sugar Coated CandyMethod1 In a cocktail shaker combine Pulse Candy Infused Gin Passion Fruit Syrup Orange Juice Saline Solution add ice and shake gently until well mixed2 Strain the mixture into a clean glass bottle3 Wrap the bottle with Gelatin paper and seal with stickers for a playful presentation4 Serve alongside a square ice block in a rock glass5 Garnish with mix sugar coated candyThe Cajun BotanistIt is no different with Nibaran Mandal who is the senior FampB Supervisor The Deltin Suites in Goa who wants you to celebrate tropical flavours this summer with The Cajun Botanist He explains It is a refreshing blend of fresh herbs tropical guava and a hint of spicy Cajun heat It is crisp balanced and layered with botanical notes with a savoury finishIngredients60 ml Gin90 ml Guava Juice10 ml Fresh Lemon Juice15 ml Maple Syrup1 dash Angostura Bitters1 pinch plus extra for the rim Cajun Spice2 leaves Fresh Basil Leaves1 pinch Black Salt Kala Namak plus extra for the rimMethod1 Prepare the rim Rub a lemon wedge along the rim of a chilled Hansa glass Dip the rim into a mixture of black salt and Cajun spice2 Muddle In a cocktail shaker gently muddle the basil leaves with the maple syrup to release the herbaceous aromas3 Mix Add gin guava juice lemon juice Angostura bitters and a pinch of black salt to the shaker4 Shake Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10ndash12 seconds until well chilled5 Strain Double strain into the prepared Hansa glass over fresh ice6 Garnish Finish with a light dusting of Cajun spice over the top