Vodka on the rocks as gin sales take off

♦ Vodka has fallen out of fashion, losing out to trendy gin and sliding down the ranks of the nation’s favourite alcohol.

The annual survey by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) found that just 21 per cent of people drank vodka, down from 26 per cent last year. It was overtaken by gin, which rose from 21 per cent to 29 per cent to become the most popular spirit. Every other type of alcohol, including wines, beer and spirits, either gained in popularity or remained level. Beer was the most popular overall, with 53 per cent of people saying they drank it.

Gin sales have doubled in value in the last six years to £1.2billion, up from £630million in 2011, WSTA’S market report figures show.