How to Make Gin at Home: 3 Methods (No Still Needed)

You don't need a still to make your own gin. The simplest method just steeps botanicals in vodka overnight, no equipment beyond a jar. This guide covers three ways to make gin at home, from the simplest to the most involved, so you can pick the one that suits you.

Method 1: Compound Gin (No Still Needed)

This is the easiest way to make gin, and a great gift idea: infusing botanicals directly into vodka. It's technically called "compound gin" rather than distilled gin, but it's genuinely good, and you're drinking it the same evening.

What You Need

  • A bottle of plain, neutral vodka
  • Dried juniper berries – the essential gin botanical
  • Other botanicals to taste: coriander seed, citrus peel, angelica root, cardamom
  • A clean jar with a lid

Method

  1. Lightly crush 2 tablespoons of juniper berries per 700ml of vodka to release their oils.
  2. Add the juniper to the vodka along with your chosen extra botanicals (start light — a teaspoon of coriander seed and a strip of citrus peel is plenty to begin with).
  3. Seal and leave somewhere dark for 24–48 hours, tasting periodically.
  4. Strain through a fine sieve or coffee filter, then bottle.

Because you can taste as you go, it's the easiest way to learn what each botanical actually contributes before trying a distilled version.

Method 2: Gin Essences (No Still Needed)

Still Spirits' gin essences are pre-blended flavourings you add to neutral spirit or vodka: no infusing time and no botanicals to source.

This is the fastest route to a bottle of gin if you already have neutral spirit or vodka to hand.

Method 3: Distilled Gin

For the real thing, botanicals are distilled through a still rather than just steeped. This is what gives commercial gin its clean, integrated character.

Many distillers run a clean neutral spirit first, then redistil it through the botanical basket for a crisp, London Dry style gin. It's the most involved method, but gives the most authentic result. In the UK, distilling spirits requires a licence from HMRC, so check the rules before you start; the infusion and essence methods above don't require one, as no distillation takes place.

The Botanicals Behind Gin

  • Juniper – non-negotiable; it's what makes gin, gin. See our guide to botanicals in other drinks too, or start with juniper alone before adding more.
  • Coriander seed – citrusy, slightly spicy; the classic second ingredient
  • Citrus peel – lemon or orange, for brightness
  • Angelica root – earthy, and helps bind the other flavours together
  • Cardamom – warm and aromatic, good in small amounts

Start simple with two or three botanicals, taste, and build up. It's much easier to add more than to fix an over-complicated batch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make gin without a still?

Yes. Infusing juniper and other botanicals into vodka (compound gin) or using a gin essence both make a genuine gin without any distilling equipment.

What's the difference between compound gin and distilled gin?

Compound gin is made by infusing botanicals into neutral spirit. Distilled gin passes the botanicals through a still, giving a cleaner, more integrated flavour. Both are valid ways to make gin at home.

What botanicals do I need for gin?

Juniper is essential. Coriander seed, citrus peel and angelica root are the next most common additions.

How long does infused gin need to steep?

24–48 hours is typical for compound gin, tasting as you go. Longer steeping gives a stronger, more herbal flavour.

Do I need a licence to make gin at home?

Only if you're distilling. Infusing botanicals into shop-bought spirit, or using a flavouring essence, doesn't involve distillation and doesn't require a licence. Distilling in the UK does require an HMRC licence.

Back to blog