I always remember this particular product from it’s annual ads at Christmas particularly during the 1970’s. It got me thinking what happened? I don’t see the ads these days.
Summary
Babycham is a light (6% ABV), sparkling pear cider. It was invented by Francis Showering, a brewer in Shepton Mallet, Sommerset (England).
Showering first introduced his pear cider at the Three Counties and other Agricultural shows in the late 1940’s into the early 1950’s. The popular pear cider (perry as it is known) was initially branded as Baby Champ before later becoming Babycham.
Officially launched in the UK in 1953 it was specifically aimed at women using the catchphrase “I’d Love a Babycham”. It became the first alcoholic product to be advertised on TV in 1957.
In 1973 at it’s peak 144,000 bottles of Babycham were being produced each hour.
Sales of the drink got a further boost in the 1980’s by advertising using the slogans “Nothing sparkles like a Babycham” and the more contemporary “Hey, Babycham”
Ownership
The showerings’ company who made Babycham was sold to Allied Beweries along with the Babycham brand in 1968. ownership passed to Accolade Wines sometime before 2021.
Where Did They Go?
With the tightening of restrictions on alcohol advertising on TV coupled with the rise of cheaply available alternatives lead to the brand taking a back seat but it never went away.
In 1993 there was a major relaunch of the brand and the reintroduction of the chamois mascot. In 1997 there was the reintroduction of the Babycham Babe beauty contests that had been popular in the 1960’s
In 2021 the original owners Showerings bought the brand back from then owners Acoloda Wines for an undisclosed sum.
Today in 2023 Showerings have ownership of the brand once again and are planning a makeover for the popular drink.
Commercial Break
The name was owned by Accolade Wines until December 2021 when it was bought back into the Showering family business Brothers Drinks Limited.[1] The brand was particularly popular during the 1960s and 1970s.[2] The new owners are planning a major rebrand and relaunch of the drink.[3]