This summer sees a citywide celebration of the UK’s most popular spirit.

Sussex Gin Week launches on Thursday, August 24, alongside the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival’s second outing of the year.

Sponsored by Sussex’s Blackdown Distillery and Brighton-born Regency Tonic, about 30 pubs, bars and restaurants will be taking part in the promotion, each offering three specially crafted drinks for between £5 and £7 each.

The promotion runs for 11 days and allows consumers to explore new venues in the city and discover the complexity and variety of artisan gins from this area and further afield.

“There has never been a better time to be a distiller in the UK,” said Sarah Thompson of Blackdown Distillery, in Western Weald, near Pulborough.

“Savvy consumers are constantly seeking a unique flavour experience, honesty and transparency from their gin, in the same way that they seek out local produce.

“As the first distillery to open in Sussex in 2012, we are proud to lead the way for Sussex Gin Week and also the Sussex Gin Festival at Hotel du Vin that will enable all the local producers to collaborate for the first time to champion the best Sussex has to offer.”

As part of the wider festival programme, there are also some interactive gin-themed events including a gin makers’ dinner at The Salt Room on Brighton seafront, gin and cheese matching at La Cave à Fromage in Western Road, Hove a, wild foraging gin masterclass at the Queen Victoria in Rottingdean and the

Sussex Gin Festival presented by Brighton Gin Club at Hotel du Vin in Ship Street, Brighton.

Full details of Sussex Gin Week, the Sussex Gin Festival and the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival will be revealed in the Argus next Friday.