London Dry is a style, not a place. The name comes from London, where the modern gin industry developed in the 1800s — but London Dry can be made anywhere in the world, including India. What defines London Dry is the production method: a high-strength neutral spirit is redistilled with juniper berries and other botanicals, with all flavouring added during distillation. No flavours can be added afterward. No more than 0.1 grams of sugar per litre is allowed. The result is a clean, dry, juniper-forward gin that's the spec sheet for what most people picture when they think of gin.

The defining note is juniper — pine-like, herbal, slightly resinous. A good London Dry leads with juniper and supports it with citrus (lemon, lime, orange peel), spice (coriander, cardamom, cassia), earth (orris root, angelica), and sometimes floral notes. The finish is dry — no sweetness, just clean botanical character. Compared to contemporary gins, London Dry is more focused and traditional. Tanqueray emphasises juniper and citrus. Beefeater is balanced and classical. Bombay Sapphire is lighter and floral. Indian London Drys like Greater Than have introduced regional notes (Gondhoraj lime, Indian coriander) while staying within the London Dry framework.

The Gin & Tonic is the iconic pairing — and the tonic matters as much as the gin. A premium Indian tonic (Svami, Sepoy, or Bermondsey) with a quality London Dry creates a sophisticated, balanced drink. The classic 1:3 gin-to-tonic ratio over plenty of ice, garnished with lime or grapefruit, is timeless. London Dry also makes the best classic Martini — stirred with dry vermouth, garnished with a lemon twist or olive. The Negroni (London Dry + Campari + sweet vermouth, equal parts) and the Tom Collins are other essentials.

India's London Dry market includes both imported classics (Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater) and excellent domestic producers (Greater Than, Jodhpur). Greater Than is one of India's pioneer London Drys — juniper-forward, dry, with a clean Indian botanical character. Jodhpur produces multiple expressions. The 117 London Dry products on LivCheers range from accessible everyday gins to premium imported bottles up to ₹9,600. Indian craft producers have proven that London Dry made with Himalayan juniper and Indian botanicals can stand alongside the historic European brands.