London: India’s rapidly expanding craft spirits industry is gaining attention in the UK, with specialist importer Maharaja Drinks highlighting the growing diversity, indigenous ingredients and traditional distilling techniques emerging from Indian distilleries. The company says a new wave of Indian craft spirits is beginning to attract UK consumers seeking distinctive flavours, authentic provenance and drinks with a strong sense of place.
The growing interest comes as UK consumers increasingly explore premium and artisanal beverages from international markets. According to the 2026 Drinks Buyer trends report from Speciality Food Magazine, shoppers are showing greater interest in distinctive flavours and authentic drinks from around the world, while also looking to understand more about the spirits they purchase.
India’s beverage alcohol market is also expanding at a notable pace. According to IWSR research reported in July 2026, India’s beverage alcohol market grew 4% in 2025, making it the strongest-growing major market globally despite worldwide alcohol volumes declining for the third consecutive year. IWSR has described India as a key “growth engine” for the category and expects the country to move from the world’s eighth-largest alcohol market to fifth by 2035. Rising demand for premium and artisanal products, along with greater use of indigenous ingredients, is helping reshape India’s spirits landscape.
With around 468 distilleries operating across the country, India’s spirits sector has expanded significantly beyond the few mass-market whisky brands traditionally associated with the country. A growing number of craft distillers are developing products around regional botanicals, native ingredients and modern interpretations of traditional spirits.
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Maharaja Drinks is contributing to this trend by bringing more than 25 Indian craft spirits to consumers in the UK. Its portfolio includes JinJiji Darjeeling, a gin infused with handpicked Darjeeling tea and copper-pot distilled in Uttarakhand, while Terai Gin incorporates spices sourced from Delhi’s historic Khari Baoli spice market. Smoke Lab Vodka, made from Basmati rice, includes a Saffron expression featuring Kashmiri saffron and Indian spices.
The importer’s portfolio also includes Ayam Agave, produced at what the company describes as India’s only agave distillery in Uttar Pradesh, along with four products from Nao Spirits, made at a zero-carbon distillery in Goa. Traditional Indian spirits are represented by Goenchi Cashew Feni, a Goan spirit distilled from cashew apples, while Quro offers a contemporary Indian aperitif made using 36 indigenous botanicals, including ashwagandha, tulsi and moringa.
Maharaja Drinks CEO Annabel Jamieson said the perception of Indian spirits being limited to a few mass-market whisky brands does not reflect the current industry landscape. She highlighted the innovation taking place across India’s distilleries and said UK consumers are only beginning to discover the breadth of Indian craft spirits.
Founded in 2023 by a group of friends led by Ipe and Adam Jacob, Maharaja Drinks was established with the aim of introducing Indian beverages to the UK and international markets. The founders travelled across India to meet producers, visit distilleries and plantations, and experience products directly before developing relationships with suppliers. The company currently offers more than 25 Indian crafted spirits, alongside wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks, and ships its products across mainland UK.
The growing presence of Indian craft spirits in the UK reflects a broader shift in global beverage consumption, where consumers are increasingly seeking products with regional identity, distinctive ingredients and authentic production stories.
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