How to make gin at home with the Air Still Pro

Date Posted:16 September 2025 

Ever taken a sip of a good gin and thought, I could do this at home? You absolutely can, and you can do it in your kitchen with simple gear, no plumbing, no tricky controls, and no prior distilling experience.

With the Air Still Pro Complete Distilling Kit, you follow a clear path from neutral spirit to a crisp, juniper-forward drop that suits your taste, using botanicals you choose and steps that cut out mess and guesswork. At Australian Home Brewing, we guide you from first setup to first pour with gear that works, recipes that hit the mark, and real support from brewers who do this every week.

Why beginners love the Air Still Pro for gin making

Starting from scratch can feel scary. You worry it looks too technical, you might buy the wrong gear, or you’ll spend hours staring at a thermometer. 

But you’re not alone, as those are the same hurdles we hear about every week.

That’s why the Still Spirits Air Still Pro Complete Distilling Kit hits the sweet spot for first timers. It keeps your setup simple, trims the fiddly steps, and helps you get a clean, fragrant gin you can be proud of. 

A quick legal note for Aussies: you can own a still, but you need the right license to distil alcohol at home in Australia. If you are not licensed, use the kit for distilled water or botanicals, or chat with us about your options.

What you’ll like about the Air Still Pro:

  • Fan cooling so you don’t need a tap or hoses.
  • Pot still mode that suits botanical gin infusions.
  • Automatic foreshot removal to take care of the first cut for you.
  • Compact size that fits small kitchens and sheds.
  • Easy cleaning for a quick reset for the next batch.

What’s in the Air Still Pro Complete Kit?

When you buy the Air Still Pro Complete Kit from Australian Home Brewing, it includes everything you need to get started making gin or other spirits at home:

  • Air Still Pro Unit (4L)
  • 10L Fermenter with tap & thermometer
  • Turbo Pure Yeast, Nutrients & Turbo Clear
  • Ceramic boil enhancers & distilling conditioner
  • Hydrometer, Alcometer & Test Flask
  • Activated carbon filter system
  • Collection container and detailed instructions

Step-by-Step Guide: How to make gin at home

Ready to turn a few simple ingredients into a crisp, juniper-led gin you’re proud to pour?

Follow each step below, taste as you go, and dial the flavour to suit your palate.

Step One – Create a clean sugar wash

Start with a clean, neutral base. That gives your botanicals room to shine.

  1. Dissolve your sugar in warm water in the fermenter.
  2. Add Turbo Pure yeast, nutrients, and activated carbon. Stir well.
  3. Keep the ferment at 18 to 25°C. Aim for steady room temp and give it time to finish.
  4. Check with a hydrometer. You’re ready when it reads 0.990 or lower.
  5. Add Turbo Clear and give it 24 hours to clarify.

Some handy tips: Clean and sanitise everything you touch. Keep the ferment out of direct sunlight. If the room runs cool, wrap the fermenter to help hold the temperature.

Step Two – Distil your base spirit (Reflux Mode)

Now you turn that clean wash into a neutral spirit that’s smooth and ready for botanicals.

  1. Pour up to 4 litres of clarified wash into the Air Still Pro.
  2. Set the unit to Reflux Mode.
  3. The still removes the first 30 ml of foreshots for you.
  4. Let it run for about 4 hours.
  5. You’ll collect a high-purity spirit around 90% ABV. Dilute to about 40% with clean water before any botanical work.
  6. Run it through activated carbon to polish the flavour.

Safety first: Work in a well-ventilated area, keep spirits away from heat sources, and never leave the still unattended.

Step Three – Infuse your gin botanicals (Pot Still Mode)

With a clean 40% neutral ready, you can build your gin profile. Go classic with juniper and coriander, then layer citrus peel, angelica, or your favourite locals.

Option 1 – Infuse After Distillation

  1. Confirm your neutral spirit contains roughly 40% ABV.
  2. Add botanicals to the spirit and let them steep for 24 to 48 hours.
  3. Taste after 24 hours. If you want more punch, give it more time.
  4. Strain through a fine filter and bottle.

Why pick this: It’s simple, fast to set up, and you can adjust the soak to suit your taste.

Option 2 – Distil with Botanicals Using Pot Mode

  1. Load botanicals into a basket or tie them in a muslin bag.
  2. Add your 40% neutral to the Air Still Pro.
  3. Switch to Pot Still Mode and run a gentle distillation.
  4. Collect in small jars, smell and taste as you go, then blend your best portions.

Why pick this: You get a bright, clean gin with lifted aromatics and a tidy finish, straight off the still.

What are the best botanicals for making gin at home?

Start with the classics, then adjust the mix to suit your taste. Lightly crush seeds, use fresh peel without the white pith, and keep notes so you can repeat your best batches.

  • Juniper berries – the core flavour you need for gin.
  • Coriander seed – adds bright citrus and gentle spice.
  • Lemon or orange peel – lifts the aroma and freshness.
  • Angelica root – brings the flavours together and adds dryness.
  • Cardamom pods – warm, floral notes in small amounts.
  • Liquorice root – a hint of sweetness and body.
  • Cinnamon or nutmeg – soft spice to round out the finish.

FAQs About Making Gin with the Air Still Pro

Can I really make gin at home with this kit?

Yes, the Air Still Pro is perfect for beginners as it allows you to create a neutral base, then infuse botanicals for homemade gin.

Is it legal in Australia?

You can legally own and operate the Air Still Pro (under 5L) for water purification or essential oils. To distil alcohol, a license is required.

What’s better—pot or reflux mode for gin?

Use reflux mode to create a clean base spirit. Use pot mode to extract botanical flavours during a second distillation.

Can I skip the carbon filtering for gin?

For the reflux run that makes your base neutral spirit, don’t skip carbon filtering. It cleans up harsh notes. For the pot still gin run, skip filtration so you keep the botanical flavour.

If you’re making a neutral to flavour later, like gin by infusion, vodka, rum, or liqueurs, run it through carbon every time.

How long does it take to make a batch?

You’d need around 4 hours for distilling, plus time for fermentation and infusion.

Why the Air Still Pro is perfect for gin beginners

Making your own gin doesn’t need to be complicated. With the Air Still Pro Complete Kit, you can go from zero to gin in just a weekend.

This kit removes all the tricky parts—no plumbing, no thermometer-watching, no confusing cuts. Just follow the steps and enjoy crafting spirits that are truly your own.

And the best part? You can try a new gin recipe every weekend. From citrus-forward to spicy or floral blends, there’s no limit to your gin creativity.