This Saturday, Brighton Gin will be celebrating World Gin Day in style, after being voted The People’s Choice Gin in the 2017 People’s Drinks Awards. The PDAs are the only UK drinks awards judged solely by the general public, who selected the small batch, super premium gin as their inaugural winner in the gin category.

Founded by a quintet of gin-loving Brightonians in 2014, Brighton Gin is made from organic British grain spirit, juniper, fresh orange and lime peel, locally-grown coriander seed and milk thistle. Distilled beside the seaside, each bottle is filled, labelled and wax sealed by hand, with the distinctive blue colour of Brighton’s seafront railings.

Judging panels were selected to give as varied a representation of the public as possible, with the panel completing a blind tasting, followed by judging packaging and brand story.

“The idea for these awards stems from talking to consumers at our events, and our own experience judging on awards panels,” said Ben Lindsay of The People’s Drink Awards. “Brands love the recognition they receive from industry experts through awards, but this is something different. Brighton gin were our incredibly worthy winners, we are absolutely thrilled for them, and are looking forward to working with their team in the coming months to share the news of their success.”

“Brighton is such a creative, free-thinking place with a long-standing heritage of invention and pleasure-seeking throughout its history,” said founder and distiller Kathy Caton. “With Brighton Gin we wanted to create the best possible quality spirit this city deserves, and we’re ecstatic that people across the UK have voted us as the country’s best gin.”

With a recommended retail price of £40, Brighton Gin is stocked at locations including Majestic Wines, Harvey Nichols, Fortnum & Mason, Master of Malt and independents throughout Brighton & Hove. Versatile and adaptable, it’s best served as a classic G&T served with a fine tonic and a slice of orange, the better to bring out the flavour of its citrus botanicals. It’s also smooth enough to be served neat over ice and makes the finest of Negronis. Locals often drink it as a unique Brighton Gin Rocktail – with tonic, ice and a chunk of Brighton rock.