How to infuse and make your own flavoured gin at home: A beginner's guide

There's something magical about transforming a simple bottle of gin into your own signature flavoured spirit. Maybe you've been dreaming of a lemongrass and orange peel G&T, or perhaps you're curious about experimenting with warming spices like cardamom and star anise. Whatever your flavour curiosity, infusing gin at home is easier than you think and armed with our infusion kits, infinitely more affordable than buying premium flavoured bottles.

The beauty of gin infusion lies in its versatility and simplicity. You don't need fancy equipment or a chemistry degree. With just a few basic supplies and a spirit (excuse the pun) of experimentation, you can craft custom gin blends that rival anything you'd find in a high-end cocktail bar or indeed, the top-shelf of a supermarket's gin section.

Whether you're a seasoned mixologist or someone who just enjoys a good G&T or gin-based cocktail, this guide will walk you through what's what.

What you'll need

Before you begin your gin-infusing adventure, we suggest gathering these essentials:

Basic 'London Dry' gin to serve as your blank canvas. At Natural and Noble, we'll also suggest using 'plain everyday gin'. What we mean is, don't use the expensive artisan bottle you got given for your birthday. Why? Well, a neutral (yes, cheap!) base allows your chosen botanicals to take centre stage without competing against existing flavours. Think of it as the difference between painting on a clean white canvas versus one that's already covered in colours.

Containers are crucial for the infusion process. Those jam jars tucked away in your cupboard? Perfect. Kilner jars with tight-sealing lids? Even better. The key is making sure they're spotlessly clean and completely dry before you start—any residual moisture or food particles can interfere with your infusion.

A kitchen sieve completes your toolkit. Once your gin has absorbed all those delicious flavours, you'll need to strain out any solid ingredients. A fine-mesh sieve works beautifully for this purpose.

Getting started: Three approaches to infusing gin

One of the most appealing aspects of home gin infusion is its scalability. You can test a single serving, experiment with small batches, or go all-in with an entire bottle once you've discovered your perfect heady blend.

The single serve: Perfect for experimentation

Want to test the waters before diving in? The single-serve method is your best friend. This approach lets you play with different flavours without any long-term commitment.

Pour your usual measure of gin into a glass and add just a pinch of your chosen ingredient(s). Perhaps a few juniper berries for that extra classic gin punch, some pink peppercorns for a sweet and slightly peppery note or some citrus zest for a zing. Give it a gentle stir and let the mixture sit for about 15 or more minutes. During this time, the flavours will begin their delicate dance with the spirit. Some spice and botanicals may be stronger on the nose than others but don't let that put you off. Some - like Cassia (a sweet Cinnamon) or dried Lemongrass deliver their punch once mixed and infused into your basic gin.

After waiting, strain the now infused gin through your sieve into a fresh glass. Add ice, pour in your favourite simple tonic, and voilà... you've created a custom G&T in under 20 minutes. This method is brilliant for testing combinations before scaling up, too. 

Small batch infusions: Where creativity meets (a little) commitment

Once you're ready to move beyond single servings, small batch infusions offer the sweet spot between experimentation and investment. This method is ideal for creating unique flavour blends that you'll want to savour over several drinks, either on your own or with others.

Start by pouring about a third (ish) of a bottle of gin into your chosen jar. Again, jar or otherwise, anything with a sealable lid. Just make sure it's squeaky clean and dry before you use it. Now comes the fun part: adding your ingredients. The golden ratio here is one teaspoon of your primary ingredient (the star of your flavour show) and a quarter teaspoon of any supporting players. Don't worry too much if measurements are not scientifically precise. 

Seal the lid tightly, give it a good shake and then comes the hardest part - the waiting. Let your creation sit for two to five days in a cool dark place, remembering to shake it daily. This daily ritual isn't just practical; it's oddly satisfying, and you'll find yourself anticipating that first taste and seeing your creation change over time.

Here's where patience also becomes a virtue: take a small sip each day with a spoon to monitor progress. Some ingredients are bold and quick to infuse, while others are more subtle and need extra time. When the taste hits that sweet spot - your sweet spot - strain out the ingredients into a bottle or another jar that you'll be happy serving it from. Sealed and stored in a cupboard away from heat, your homemade infusion will stay delicious for about a year or more, though let's be honest, it probably won't last that long.

Full bottle infusions: Going 'Pro'

Found a combination that makes your taste buds sing? It's time to commit to a full bottle. This method follows the same principles as small batch infusing but scales up beautifully.

Add your ingredients directly to a full bottle of gin, using three teaspoons of your primary ingredient and one teaspoon of everything else you're including. The process remains the same: shake daily, taste regularly and strain when perfection (in your eyes and on the tongue) is achieved.

The art of experimentation

The real joy of gin infusion comes from experimentation. Herbs, citrus peels, florals or spices each bring their own dimension to the party, and the combinations are limited only by your imagination.

Start with flavours you already love, then venture into unexpected territories. Some of the best discoveries happen when you try something a bit unconventional. That's the beauty of making gin at home—there's no wrong answer, only new favourites waiting to be discovered.

So grab that bottle of (basic, everyday) London Dry Gin, raid your botanical and spice repertoire and start creating. Your perfect gin blend is just a few days and a bit of imagination away. You could even make your own infusion gifts for Christmas. Now there's a thought. Cheers to that!