In conversation with the Gin-ius women behind the stills 

In a world where copper stills hiss quietly in hidden distilleries and juniper berries are revered like jewels, a quiet revolution is brewing. And it smells like gin. But this isn’t just any story of botanicals and botanists. It’s about the women who are redefining the narrative from behind the bar, beyond the boardroom, and right at the heart of the distilling chambers. 

From master distillers tinkering with recipes passed down like family heirlooms, to entrepreneurial visionaries launching craft gin labels from scratch, these women are bottling not just spirits, but stories, legacies, and a new kind of leadership. Their journeys are laced with resilience, risk, and an intoxicating passion for flavour, precision, and purpose. 

As the global gin renaissance unfolds, these spirited women are stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight, proving that what’s poured into the glass is just as important as who’s standing behind the still. This is their moment, and this is their story. 

Where it all began 

For Riddhi Aggarwal, Co-Founder of Saṃsāra Gin, the first flicker of inspiration came thousands of miles away from home; in the spirited bars of Los Angeles. “The cocktail culture there is electric. Bartenders speak about their spirits the way curators talk about art,” she recalls. But something felt amiss. “There was nothing from India on those back bars that sparked the same admiration. Nothing that felt rooted in craft or design or carried a story worth sipping slowly.” That gap, that absence, ignited a fire. She envisioned a homegrown gin that was not just made in India, but made of India—beautifully bottled, botanically rich, and globally respected. Gin, with its infinite botanical palette and creative possibilities, was the perfect canvas. 

A similar spark hit Aparajita Ninan, Co-founder and Creative Head at Nao Spirits, albeit from a different trail. “It was the taste, first. And then, the wild juniper we found growing in the Himalayas, which felt like destiny,” she says. But it wasn’t just about flavour; it was also about form. “The world of spirit label design, the storytelling potential- it pulled me in completely.” 

Straight from the heart! 

“I’ve always, always craved and enjoyed a good martini. Both our gins, Greater Than and Hapusa, are designed, in taste and aesthetic, to make excellent martinis. Beyond that, we live the story 24/7,” opines Aparajita Ninan. 

Meanwhile Nidhi Kedia, Co-founder of Nisaki Gin, believes her spirit reflects the layered dualities women embody. “I was raised between quiet intuition and bold expression, and that’s what I pour into every batch: a balance of clarity and chaos, softness and edge.” 

She quips, “The colour-changing nature of the gin is deeply personal to me. It’s not just a visual trick, but a metaphor for transformation, for how we shift, evolve, and show up differently depending on the world around us. I’ve learned to love every hue of myself—the light, the shadow, the in-between. That’s what I hope people feel when they drink it.” 

Breaking barrels & stereotypes, & how! 

Stepping into the world of spirits as a woman can often feel like speaking a language no one expected you to know. “You’re questioned, underestimated, sometimes even dismissed,” says Nidhi. “But you keep speaking until your voice becomes part of the soundscape.” For her, the journey wasn’t about blending in. “I’ve learned to walk into rooms without mirroring their energy. Instead, I’ve created something that invites a different kind of presence; one rooted in softness, curiosity, and vision.” 

Fellow distiller Aparajita echoes this sentiment with a smile, “There have always been women in the industry—just one strong-ass lady for every four regular gentlemen. However, now it feels more like three strong-ass ladies to four regular gentlemen. These aren’t official stats, of course, just the spirits industry’s new reality.” A reality that is fizzing with fresh perspectives, bold botanicals, and a growing number of women who are not just in the room, but running it. 

Of the feminine touch & reflecting the terroir 

We’re proudly Indian, but not in a postcard kind of way,” says Aparajita, co-creator of Hapusa Gin, with a quiet conviction that mirrors the depth of her distillate. “Our inspiration comes from the land, the people, and the produce; not from the tired clichés of elephants or snake charmers.” At Hapusa, the spotlight is on indigenous ingredients like wild Himalayan juniper, hand-foraged from high altitudes, and the untouched diversity of India’s ecosystems. “It’s the India we know- raw, real, and beautifully complex.” 

For Riddhi, the spirit of Saṃsāra Gin lies in memory and meaning. “Take mulberries,” she says, “they’re one of the 11 botanicals in our pink gin- Samsara: The City of Pink. They’re not exotic, but they remind me of summer holidays, stained fingers, and the scent of overripe fruit under the sun. That nostalgia becomes part of the experience.” 

What unites these women is more than craftsmanship; it’s a philosophy. “Our gins are rituals,” Riddhi continues. “They’re grounded in Indian terroir and shaped by a feminine gaze. Not soft, but layered, intentional, and emotionally intelligent. You taste it in the way the flavours unfold. First citrus, then spice, then something that lingers and makes you pause.” 

Crafting a legacy for the next wave 

For the women behind the gin stills, the goal is also distilling a future where more women rise, lead and reimagine the industry. They aren’t just making gin; they’re making room. “By staying visible. By telling the truth – not just about success, but the chaos, the fear, the grit,” shares Nidhi Kedia, whose boldness echoes through every batch she creates at Nisaki. “Young women need to know they don’t have to wait for a seat at the table. They can build their own, paint it blue, fill it with women, and serve something completely original.” It’s less about grand gestures, more about showing up, even when it feels like giving up. 

Aparajita echoes this spirit of resilience and reinvention. “The plan is simple,” she says. “Keep learning and take people along for the ride. Your vision matters, stick with it. Find those who see it too, who see you. Make creative mistakes. Make bold ones. But above all, remember that you are enough.” She adds that the world is changing, and with the right tribe, the right mentors, and a workplace that values balance and brilliance, more women can rewrite the rules. Not just for gin, but for business at large. 

Read our gin issue here.