Indian alcohol facts: What you need to know about drinking culture in India

When people think of India, they often picture spicy curries, bustling street markets, and quiet temple courtyards—but Indian alcohol facts, the real, often surprising truths about drinking habits, laws, and traditions across India’s diverse states. Also known as alcohol consumption in India, this topic isn’t about partying—it’s about deeply rooted customs, regional differences, and legal boundaries that vary wildly from one state to the next. Unlike many countries where alcohol is a casual part of daily life, India’s relationship with alcohol is complicated. Some states ban it entirely. Others have state-run liquor shops. And in many homes, drinking is never discussed openly, even if it happens.

There’s no single Indian drinking culture—there are dozens. In Goa, beer flows freely on beaches, and feni, a local cashew-based spirit, is as common as chai. In Punjab, sugarcane-based drinks like desi daru, a traditional homemade liquor made from fermented molasses or grain. Also known as country liquor, it’s a staple at weddings and festivals, even if it’s technically illegal in some areas. Meanwhile, in Gujarat and Bihar, alcohol is banned by law, and possession can lead to fines or arrest. Even in states where it’s legal, many families avoid alcohol because of religious beliefs, especially in Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities where drinking is discouraged or forbidden.

What you won’t find in tourist brochures? The quiet rise of craft breweries in Bangalore and Pune, the popularity of Indian-made gin and whiskey, and the fact that over 70% of Indian alcohol is consumed in rural areas, mostly by men over 40. Women’s drinking is rising, but still hidden—many women drink at home, in secret, or with close friends. And while imported wine and vodka are trendy in cities, most Indians still drink cheap, locally made spirits. The government collects billions in excise taxes from alcohol sales, yet public health campaigns rarely mention it.

There’s also the matter of tradition. Many Indian households still make their own drinks—toddy from palm trees in Kerala, rice beer in the Northeast, and even fermented fruit wines in the hills of Himachal. These aren’t just drinks—they’re cultural artifacts, passed down through generations. Even in urban homes, you’ll find bottles of Old Monk rum or Royal Challenge whiskey on shelves, not for parties, but as gifts, for religious offerings, or for special occasions.

So what do Indian alcohol facts really tell us? That India doesn’t fit into a single box. The same country that bans alcohol in some places celebrates it in others. That tradition and modernity collide every time someone opens a bottle. And that behind every statistic, there’s a story—of family, faith, resistance, or quiet rebellion.

Below, you’ll find real stories and facts pulled from everyday life in India—about what people drink, where they drink it, and why some things are better left unsaid. No fluff. No guesses. Just what’s true.