Ionothermal synthesis is the use of ionic liquids simultaneously as both the solvent and potential template or structure directing agent in the formation of solids. It directly parallels hydrothermal synthesis where the solvent is water. In this feature article I discuss the general features of ionothermal synthesis and how the properties of the synthesis differ from those of other synthetic methodologies. In particular, I will discuss the role of the ionic liquid anion in determining the structure of the synthesised solid, the role of mineralisers such as water and fluoride, and the targeted use of unstable ionic liquids to produce new inorganic and inorganic–organic hybrid materials.