The Blue Riband Gin drink serves as a special cultural tradition for people who grew up in India. 

The Gin Revolution started when Blue Ribbon reached the market and Greater Than and Stranger & Sons became available, along with their special balloon glasses, featuring cucumber slices. 

The college student purchased this bottle because he wanted to drink a wild party after receiving 500 rupees. 

The bottle stored behind the cabinet door contained medicinal purposes whiskey, which your father used to keep there. The original version of Indian Gins exists as the first product that established the market. 

People should understand that Blue Riband needs effective drinking methods because its taste resembles hand sanitiser with the scent of lemon. The product contains a strong taste because it has an alcohol content that reaches 42.8%. 

The drink declares its drinking power which enables people to celebrate until the end of time. 

The budget beast requires specific mixers and basic skills to become a drink that people find easy to drink. 

The ultimate guide to Blue Riband Gin drinking presents the 2026 pricing information and shows the best mixers and recipes which create delicious drinks.

Decoding Blue Riband 

Blue Riband has maintained its presence in the market for several decades while its customers continue to enjoy basic gin drinking experiences.

• Manufacturer: United Spirits Ltd (Diageo India)
  
  
• Type: London Dry Gin (Style)
  
  
• Blue Riband Gin Alcohol Percentage: 42.8% ABV (Standard in India)
  
  
• The Vibe: It is an essential Party Starter. It’s cheap, it gets you high fast, and it’s available at literally every liquor shop from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Blue Riband Gin Taste Review

• Smell: Strong alcohol fumes first, followed by a sharp hit of lemon zest and juniper berries. It smells clinical.
  
  
• Taste: It’s dry, you get a massive kick of juniper and citrus.
  
  
• The Burn: Oh yes. It burns the throat. It doesn’t have the creamy finish of a Bombay Sapphire. It hits hard and leaves a spicy, metallic aftertaste.

Do not drink this neat. It is a mixed gin. It needs sugar and fizz to unlock its potential.

Best Mixer for Blue Riband Gin 

Don't go overboard and pair a perfectly fine, decent ₹500 bottle of gin with expensive Fever-Tree Tonic Water; you need mixers that can stand up to the strong flavor.

1. Limca 

This is the undisputed champion. The Gin & Limca is the national cocktail of India.

• Why: The Limca beverage displays its distinct lemon flavor through its high sugar content.
  
  The product successfully eliminates alcohol burn while enhancing the citrus flavors present in the gin.
  
  
• Ratio: 1 Part Gin : 3 Parts Limca.

2. Sprite / 7Up

• Why: If you find Limca too fizzy or chalky, Sprite is a cleaner, sweeter option. It makes the drink taste like alcoholic lemonade.

3. Tonic Water

• Why: If you want to feel fancy.
  
  
• Warning: Tonic water is bitter (it has quinine). Mixing bitter tonic with bitter Blue Riband can be overwhelming for beginners.
  
  If you use Tonic, squeeze extra lime to balance it.

4. Coconut Water 

• Why: Don't knock it till you try it. The natural sweetness and electrolytes of Nariyal Pani smooth out the gin beautifully. It’s also great for preventing hangovers.

5. Orange Juice

• Why: A Gin & Juice (Snoop Dogg style). The sweetness of the orange hides the gin completely. Dangerous because you drink it fast.

Blue Riband Gin Cocktail Recipes 

You don’t need a shaker or a bartender kit. Just a glass and a spoon.

1. The Classic Limca Highball

• Glass: Tall Glass
  
  
• Ingredients:
  
  
• 60ml Blue Riband Gin
  
  
• 150ml Limca
  
  
• 1 squeeze of Lime
  
  
• Lots of Ice
  
  
• Method: Fill glass with ice. Pour Gin. Squeeze Lime. Add Chaat Masala. Top with Limca. Stir.
  
  
• Taste: Refreshing, spicy, and zesty. The Chaat Masala kills the chemical taste.

2. The Poor Man's Tom Collins

• Glass: Short Glass
  
  
• Ingredients:
  
  
• 60ml Blue Riband Gin
  
  
• 30ml Lemon Juice (Fresh)
  
  
• 15ml Sugar Syrup (or 2 spoons of powdered sugar)
  
  
• Soda Water
  
  
• Method: Mix Gin, Lemon, and Sugar in the glass until sugar dissolves. Add ice. Top with Soda.
  
  
• Taste: Classic lemonade with a kick. Very sophisticated for the price.

3. The Desi Masala Gin

• Glass: Short Glass
  
  
• Ingredients:
  
  
• 60ml Gin
  
  
• Guava Juice (Real/Tropicana)
  
  
• Red Chili Powder + Salt on the rim.
  
  
• Method: Rim the glass with salt/chili. Pour Gin and Ice. Top with Guava Juice.
  
  
• Taste: Spicy, sweet, and fruity. You won't even taste the alcohol.

Blue Riband Gin Price in India 2026

Prices will fluctuate wildly because the state taxes are different. See the Price List for a 750-ml Bottle, 2026 Estimate.

Blue Riband vs. The Competition

1. Blue Riband vs. Blue Moon Gin

Many people confuse them. Blue Moon is an even cheaper gin, often sold in plastic bottles in some states. Stick to Blue Riband. It is distilled better and is a recognized brand by United Spirits. Blue Moon can be very harsh.

2. Blue Riband vs. Greater Than

Greater Than Gin will be the first introduction to Craft Gin because of its smoother taste, a greater variety of botanicals and a much better aroma than their competitors.

If you have more than ₹1000.00 to spend, then you should buy Greater Than Gin. If you have between ₹500.00 to ₹1000.00 to spend you can buy Blue Riband Gin.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

• Blue Riband Gin doesn't claim to be fancy or enjoyable to sip by a pool. It is made as an everyday gin, something you'd use to mix drinks with at home and use daily.
  
  
• Buy if: You're throwing a house party, for 20 people and on a budget, and want to mix drinks where the mixer does most of the hard work.
  
  
• Skip if: You plan on drinking gin & tonics or martinis that show off the botanicals in a cocktail.