GIN, it’s a well-loved spirit across the so much so that some clever person decided to create a World Gin Day.

The event was founded by Neil Houston in Birmingham, who started it up as a way to bring his friends together to drink gin, before deciding to spread the word and turn it into a bigger event.

Now, World Gin Day is celebrated across the globe today, with many communities, bars and restaurants hosting gin nights.

Operations director Gary Roberts has opened up several gin palaces across the UK, and plans to open one in Newport called Hogarths at the end of June.

The gin palace will offer more than100 types of gin, along with other spirits and wines.

Mr Roberts believes gin is always popular, and thinks the spirit that will never go out of style.

He said: “Gin has been around for over 500 years so it’s not a new phenomenon.

“But it is a fantastic spirit and for years has really only been used in cocktails such as martinis and negronis.”

Gin was said to be first created in Holland in the 17th century (although many say Italy first created it), and was originally produced as a medicine to treat gout, stomach complaints and gallstones.

To make the taste more palatable, the Dutch were said to have infused the spirit with juniper berries.

Although gin was brought over to Britain and used by the poor for their ailments, Mr Roberts said the British might have created the classic gin and tonic.

“The British used to add gin to their tonic in India to take away the bitterness, and the quinine in the tonic was used to ward off malaria.”

Mr Roberts also believes that everyone can find a type of gin that they love.

“Be it sweet, spicy or savoury, there’s a gin for everyone, aged over 18 of course.

“If you don't like gin and tonic, or decide you hate it because it smells and tastes of perfume, then there are plenty of other options to try.”

However, for those the lovers of a classic gin and tonic, the gin tray at Hogarths will definitely tickle their fancy.

“Our gin tray is a selection of gins served in mini bottles each containing 50ml (a double) they come in a tray with a bottle of mixer, garnish and ice with details of the perfect serve.

“You can mix and match and decide just what your perfect serve is,” Mr Roberts said.

With gin being known as a drink for all ages, many celebrate World Gin Day with large events such as tasting sessions and gin pairing.

However, Christos Kyriakidis, co-owner of Mojo the FoodBar, has said while the bar is not doing anything special to celebrate the day, it will soon offer a special gin club.

The club will host special nights and events, with speeches, canapes and a free gin martini at each event.

“It is something that I decided to do as so many people like gin,” Mr Kyriakidis.

Guests can either pay for each event, which costs around £33, or they can pay for a year’s membership, which ranges from £195 to £199.

But Mr Kyriakidis can assure gin lovers that the club will have a wide range of activities and rare gin tastings, with ambassadors and gin distillers from around Wales and the UK coming down to speak about their gin at some of the sessions.

“We will create a gin passport for people to take their own notes for each gin we taste and then they will have them officially stamped by us.

“It will be a cool thing for people to keep something like that and say they have done it.”

Mojo the FoodBar, on Clarence Place, specialises in selling gin and are hoping to raise their 120 collection to 300 in the next few years.

As a mixologist, Mr Kyriadikis says that Mojo has many different varieties of gin based cocktails for people in Gwent to enjoy.

He said: “We offer a page on Gin Martinis with recipes dating from 1800 to today, as well as other classics such as Last Word, Singapore Sling as well as a seasonal Tom Collins made with fresh fruit.

“I am very passionate about gin, gin is so easy to mix in cocktails and you get a much more interesting final result than a plain vodka drink.”

He also agrees with Mr Roberts and says that everyone can love gin if they just find their ideal flavour.

“For people that say, I don’t like gin, I‘d say you probably don’t like the bitterness of the tonic or you had a bad cheap gin that has been sat on a shelf for years.

“Try it in a Tom Collins or a Bramble and trust me you will love it.

“I think every day should be a Gin Day – World Gin Day is great and should be celebrated by everyone”

To see if there’s a World Gin Day event near you, visit their website worldginday.com

Christos shares his favourite cocktail recipes that are perfect for any gin fan

Rhubarb Collins

50ml Plymouth Gin

30ml Lemon juice

15ml Homemade Rhubarb Syrup

Top Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic

Method: Place 3 first ingredients into a highball glass over ice, stir well, fill with more ice and top with tonic. Garnish with a lemon wheel & a sprig of mint.

Mojo ‘’Thyme’’

50ml Plymouth Gin

20ml Fresh lemon juice

10ml honey syrup

Sprig of Fresh thyme

Chartreuse Dust to garnish

Method: Shake 4 first ingredients and fine strain into a chilled glass rimmed with Chartreuse dust. Sprig of thyme with a mini peg