Bombay Gin: A London Dry Gin With A Worldwide Influence

Lemongrass and Vietnamese peppercorns, Italian Bergamot and floral Ecuadorian ambrette seeds, Moroccan cubeb berries and, of course, the staple juniper. When it comes to experimenting with flavors and notes, Bombay Gin isn’t afraid to branch out. 

A London Dry Gin by definition, Bombay takes its inspiration from all over the world, with its Indian namesake, brilliant blue design, potent bouquet of infused botanicals and a variety of staple bottles ranging from the classic Bombay Sapphire to the more adventurous English Estate. 

Over the years, it has carefully curated a shortlist of premium gins with unique flavor profiles, combining its centuries-old distillation method with modern technology that keeps it at the forefront of the gin industry. 

Not many brands can say they’ve launched their own app to encourage sales, but Bombay was so determined to encourage experimentation in the world of gin that it created its own app, designing custom tonic water to perfectly pair with its gin. 

Regardless of whether you’re someone who enjoys the sweeter end of the spectrum or prefer a hint of spicy or bitter notes, Bombay’s app lets you add anything from fennel and cinnamon to yuzu or sassafras, elderflower, ginger or eucalyptus to your own personalized drink bouquet.

A firm favorite among bartenders and mixologists, Bombay Gin’s iconic bottle, sustainably-sourced botanicals and unique vapor-infused distillation method makes it an excellent addition to any gin lover’s bar cart.

Bombay Gin price and bottle sizes

Bottle	Size	Header
Bombay Dry Gin	750ml	$27
Bombay Bramble	750ml	$27
Bombay Sapphire	750ml	$34
Bombay Sapphire East Gin	750ml	$34
Bombay Sapphire English Estate	700ml	$47
Star of Bombay	700ml	$50

An exotic spirit with firmly English roots

Despite proudly combining international botanicals, there are some parts of Bombay that remain distinctly Britain-centric.

The picture of Queen Victoria on the side of every bottle is a great example of just that. As is the brand’s quaint distillery, a former paper mill and printworks that used to produce bank notes for the Bank of England. Situated about an hour and a half away from London, it’s home to intertwined botanical glasshouses where both the tropical and Mediterranean botanicals are grown. 

It’s also home to Henry and Victoria. As well as their older siblings, Tom and Mary. Not the names of master distillers or even Bombay’s staff members — the aforementioned names belong to Bombay’s original Carterhead stills. And, now that the brand is producing millions of liters of its famous gin, there might be more wholesomely-named additions to the stills family in the immediate future. 

It’s worth pointing out that some of Bombay’s unique flavor profile comes from these very stills. Unlike most brands, which choose to steep their botanicals in the spirit, Bombay steams its bouquet in a copper basket. 

The result? A more delicate balance of flavors, thanks to Henry and Victoria’s patience and hard work. This gentle process gives Bombay a distinct difference from many gins, allowing the aromatic flavors to all soak through. 

Once this distillation process is over, the gin is blended with water taken from Lake Vyrnwy, Wales, and is bottled at 40% ABV. 

10 is the magic number

You’ll find a beautiful combination of juniper, coriander, angelica, almonds, cubeb berries, lemon peel, orris, liquorice, cassia bark, and grains of paradise inside each bottle of Bombay Sapphire. Bombay was one of the first brands to release its botanical makeup in the 1980s, when drinking gin was considered “uncool” and vodka was the spirit of choice.

The goal was to put the botanicals at the forefront of the campaign — and it worked. Suddenly, gin was sophisticated and Bombay’s popularity rose through the ranks. But, if you were hoping to take this as an opportunity to produce your own bottles of the stuff, think again. Nowadays, Bombay’s master of botanicals, Ivano Tonutti, closely safeguards the recipe and exact makeup of each ingredient.

How to drink Bombay Gin

Bombay gin is best enjoyed by those who are looking for a premium drinking experience. Its distillation methods make Bombay a more delicate gin to drink, with less “in your face” flavors and more a combination of ingredients that’ll gently tiptoe across your palate.

As a result, the best way to enjoy Bombay Gin is to pair it with something that allows the spirit to breathe without overpowering it. A Gin & Tonic is a classic choice that always goes down well, served with lime, ice, and a premium tonic water. 

Of course, if you’re really wanting to experience all of Bombay’s unique botanicals, it’s best to chill the bottle first and sip it neat. The addition of an ice cube or two can also help to bring out more reserved flavor notes.

The best cocktails to make with Bombay Gin

Gin’s delicate flavor profile makes it a great base for a huge range of cocktails. Unlike other spirits, you’ll want to tread gently when using gin as your base to avoid diluting its unique tasting notes. A combination of subtle sweet, bitter, or sour flavors work excellently with gin, especially Bombay, to complement existing flavors and draw out new ones, too.

Gin Mule

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Bombay Sapphire gin
• 15 ml Lime juice
• 100 ml Ginger beer (chilled)
• 2 Fresh mint sprigs
• 2 Lime wedges
• Slice of fresh ginger (optional)

Cocktail recipes: This refreshing cocktail adds a new dimension to the standard vodka mule, with its vibrant flavor combination of ginger spice and zesty lime. Make one by filling a copper mug with cubed ice before adding a squeeze of lime and the rest of the ingredients. Stir gently and add another squeeze of lime juice. Garnish with fresh mint and ginger before serving. 

Red Snapper

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Bombay Sapphire gin
• 100 ml Tomato juice
• 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
• 1 tsp Horseradish (to taste)
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce (to taste)
• Pinch of celery salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 2 Fresh lemon wedges
• 1 Celery stalk
• 1 Olive

Cocktail recipes: The Bloody Mary alternative for those who favor gin over vodka, a Red Snapper is a rich and savory cocktail that promises to cure any hangover. Mix Bombay Sapphire and tomato juice in a highball glass before adding a squeeze of lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Add ice and slowly stir. Garnish with the remaining ingredients.

Gin Spritz

Ingredients:

• 25 ml Bombay Sapphire gin
• 15 ml Martini Riserva Speciale Bitter
• 15 ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 15 ml Honey syrup (3 parts honey / 1 part water)
• 125 ml Premium tonic water (chilled)
• 1/2 Orange wheel

Cocktail recipes: A classy cocktail with just a hint of sweetness, a Gin Spritz is easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy. Pour all ingredients except tonic water into a large wine glass and top with cubed ice. Top with the tonic water and gently stir to combine the flavors. Garnish with half an orange wheel before serving.

Frequently asked questions about Bombay Gin