Mother’s ruin or cure for gout?

Gin is distilled from barley, maize or wheat and usually flavoured with juniper

It first emerged in the 1700s as a medicine, supposedly a cure for gout

Its low cost and powerful effect caused a ‘gin craze’ in London, with ten million gallons distilled annually

Last year UK gin exports were worth £474million, making it the world’s seventh most valuable food and drink export – more than beef and cereal

There are over 100 gins available in the UK