Indian Heritage Spirits Are Having a Moment

This month, we are excited to be unveiling a new category – Indian Heritage Spirits.

In launching Maharaja Drinks, we took on the responsibility of becoming ambassadors for Indian drinks craftsmanship. The Indian drinks scene is abundant with talent, innovation and premium products, and our role is to track down the finest producers, and bring their products to drinks enthusiasts here in the UK (and beyond, in good time).

This upcoming launch marks a milestone moment, not just for Maharaja Drinks, but for Indian Heritage Spirits as a whole. And we’re delighted to have you on this journey with us.

Allow us to hand over to our Principal Co-Founder Ipe Jacob to tell us more about why Indian Heritage spirits are gaining attention and what they truly mean to consumers…

“Chai. Lassi. Filter Coffee.”

“Ask for a list of Indian drinks, and you’ll likely hear these classics. But India’s indigenous heritage spirits—despite a rich, ancient history of fermenting and distilling—remain a well-kept secret.Heritage spirits are crafted using age old methods and often made with local, natural ingredients. Unlike mainstream categories such as gin, whisky, or tequila, which have gone through waves of reinvention, heritage spirits are deeply tied to their place of origin.“

Around the world, heritage spirits take many forms: from cachaça in Brazil, distilled from sugarcane juice, to mezcal in Mexico, produced in small artisanal batches with a smoky character, to Japanese shōchū, made from rice, barley, or sweet potato. Each reflects its local culture, ingredients, and traditions, offering consumers an experience they cannot get from mass market products.

India’s Heritage Moment

India, long celebrated for its whisky, is now emerging as a hotspot for heritage spirits. Indigenous drinks like Feni and Mahua have been enjoyed locally for generations but are only just beginning to gain international recognition.

Ipe Jacob recalls:
"I first tried Feni aged about 14, perched on the back of my Uncle’s Royal Enfield, at some roadside dhaba. The resulting physical reaction scared us both, but I survived and was safely returned to my suspicious parents. The moonshine I survived then is a very far cry from the smooth, sophisticated liquid made to international standards today. "

Feni originates from Goa and is distilled from cashew apples or coconut sap, offering a bright, aromatic profile. With an ABV of around 40%, it has a pungent, fruity, and earthy flavour, often likened to premium botanical spirits such as tequila or mezcal. The distinctive sharpness is driven by the cashew apple or coconut base.

"Mahua is a fascinating spirit. I loved the taste when Adam and I first shared a dram or two with Desmond and Conrad in Desmond’s house in Goa.
With an ABV of around 40%, I immediately knew that this would be a bartender’s dream.. Hailing from central India, it is crafted from the fragrant flowers of the mahua tree, offering floral and earthy flavours unlike anything else on the market."

According to the BBC, this once banned spirit was considered a dangerous intoxicant and a threat to public health and morality. Colonial legislation, such as the Bombay Abkari Act of 1878 and the Mhowra Act of 1892, restricted the distillation of Mahua and limited the collection and storage of its flowers by indigenous communities.

For generations, tribal communities have relied on the nutrient rich flowers and seeds of the Mahua tree for traditional food, medicine, and a naturally sweet, aromatic, and smoky heritage liquor. Often called a “superfood” and extensively used in traditional Ayurvedic and tribal medicine, Mahua is now emerging as a premium craft spirit.

Why Heritage Spirits Are Gaining Popularity

The rise of heritage spirits reflects changing consumer behaviour. Today’s drinkers are curious, adventurous, and seeking experiences as well as authenticity, qualities that these spirits deliver.

Sustainability is another key factor. Many heritage spirits are produced using low-intervention methods, locally sourced ingredients, and small-scale techniques. Often, families and generations are involved in crafting these drinks.

For enthusiasts, Indian heritage spirits offer entirely new flavours and experiences. Bartenders and mixologists are also championing these spirits, incorporating them into cocktails and helping to reframe them as versatile drinks.

We believe now is the time for the UK to learn more about Heritage Spirits and with the launch of the new collection on 14th April, drink enthusiasts can explore these unique products exclusively on our website.