Babycham

Launched in the UK in 1953, Babycham was the first alcoholic product to be advertised on British commercial television, with a campaign launched in 1957. It was also the first alcoholic drink aimed specifically at women.

The deer image associated with Babycham quickly became an iconic brand image.

The sparkling perry – basically cider made from pears – was invented by Francis Showering, a brewer in Shepton Mallet in Somerset, England.

During the 1960s, the production of Babycham went from 300 dozen bottles an hour to 2,800 dozen. At the peak of its popularity in June 1973, 144,000 bottles were being produced each hour.

In 1978, the Babycham company was sued by French Champagne producers for abuse of their trade name. The case hinged on the fact that Babycham had been described in advertising as ‘champagne perry’ or ‘champagne cider’. The lawsuit was unsuccessful.

The appeal of Babycham waned with the rise of cheaply available alternatives and a tightening of the regulations governing alcohol advertising on television.

1993 saw a major relaunch of the brand.