Supreet Kaur
26-Jun-2026
Agave spirits in India are booming in India, and here are 7 brands you need to check out!
India is on a new journey of refining its premium drinking experience. Inspired by Mexican tequila, India has ushered in the craftsmanship of agave spirits, also known as maguey. Made from the heart of the agave plant, called the piña, it is harvested, cooked, extracted, and then distilled two or three times to make it more refined before being poured into your glass.
We can see the rise of agave spirits on cocktail menus for many different reasons. One of them is the changing interests of youth culture. It is no longer restricted to whisky and gin; consumers want something new, and that is where the growing cocktail culture in India comes into play. There are also other factors, such as globalisation and premiumisation, that have made agave spirits an important part of the country's drinking scene.
Below we have compiled a list of the best homegrown agave spirits for you to try.
The Best Agave Spirits in India
1. El Goonda
(Image credits: El Goonda)
El Goonda is a premium agave spirit line produced by GOONDA, a lifestyle beverage brand co-founded by actor and entrepreneur Karan Tacker. The spirit positions itself as a 100% agave spirit made in India with a percentage of 30-40% ABV (alcohol by volume) and 100% agave spirit. It comes in various editions like reposado, strawberry, silver, picante and café, each with a distinct flavour description, palate and finish. If you are trying the spirit for the first time, try their bestseller, Silver, featuring citrus, pepper, vanilla and floral notes.
2. Loca Loka
While other spirits are made in India, Loca Loka follows a different approach. It is freshly made in Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico. Co-founded by the South Indian actor Rana Daggubati, it only uses mature agave (6 years and over) and has a blend of two traditions – Mexican and Indian. The brand offers two variations: Blanco, which is a blend of rounder fruity flavours of cooked agave along with earthier floral flavours and their best-seller, the Reposado, which offers a balanced flavour of oak along with the fruity flavour of agave.
3. Maya Pistola Agavepura
(Image credits: Maya Pistola Agavepura)
With their exceptional storytelling, Maya Pistola positions itself as an Indian craft 100% Agave spirit made from agave Americano that grows in indian deccan plateau with no artificial colouring. Bottled on the sunny shores of Goa, each pistola has its own character, with expressions like Reposado having a taste that feels like butterscotch, caramel and vanilla; Rosa with tasting notes of black cherry, strawberry and plum along with, Añejo and extra anejo, giving off dark chocolate, honey, toffee and roasted almonds.
4. DesmondJi
Launched in 2011 , DesmondJi or DJ is named after Desmond Nazareth, who made this brand after the values he lives by. DJ is a Goan homegrown artisanal brand manufactured at India's first official craft distillery, which is set on 44 acres. Not only this, but they are the first to produce India’s first premium, affordable agave spirits, including 100% agave, 51% agave gold and 51% agave spirits.
5. Gracia Viva Agave by Kantala Spirits
(Image Credits: Kantala Spirits)
Kantala Spirits is a Goa-based artisanal spirits company, and they offer a very distinct variety of agave. They not only stand out with their alcoholic Gracia Viva Agave spirits in four different flavours, but they also offer non-alcoholic agave spirits for non-drinkers in two different fruity flavours, making them suitable for evening parties and afternoon meetings.
6. Patrón Tequila
(Image Credits: Patrón Tequila)
Although not an Indian brand, Patrón Tequila is a Mexican brand founded in 1989, which helped tequila to position itself in the luxury market with its premium packaging, small-batch production and artisanal value. It comes in 22 flavours, all made with 100% Blue Weber Agave, water and yeast.
7. Agave Spirits
(Image Credits - Agave Spirits)
Driving the initiative of introducing India to Agave Spirits while respecting the heritage is what makes these spirits so special. Their collection consists of six different agave editions along with a hint of Indian spices, herbs and dried fruits. So if you are looking for a balance in cultural fusion, then Agave Spirits is the right choice for you.
Cover Image Credits: Instagram @localokatequila)
