Bombay Sapphire & Tonic Ready-To-Drink (RTD) cocktails launched in the US this month. The canned cocktail features Bombay Sapphire’s signature vapor-infused London Dry Gin and tonic water.
Bombay promises, “You can now enjoy the world’s number one premium gin as a bar-quality Gin & Tonic serve, whatever the occasion, wherever you are.”
Bombay Sapphire’s team of experts, including Master of Botanicals, Ivano Tonutti and Master Distiller, Dr. Anne Brock, worked together to perfect the drink’s formula.
Listen to the Scientists
The award-winning gin recently added another science aficionado to its roster. Bombay has teamed up with Bill Nye, “The Science Guy,” to help consumers understand the science behind their new canned cocktail. In a video advertisement for Bombay Sapphire & Tonic, the popular 90s television host leans into his role as spokesperson to explain why, scientifically speaking, Bombay Sapphire and tonic water are “the perfect pairing.”
Bill Nye the Science Guy entertained young audiences with informative, and often humorous, science experiments for five seasons between 1993 and 1998. The show was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards, winning 19 times, over the course of its five year run on PBS.
The Science Guy, turned Gin & Tonic Guy, approaches his Bombay spokesperson gig with the same excitement for all things science that he became known for on his show.
He begins the commercial by describing Bombay’s botanicals, like juniper berries, which he says create the “tart, bright, herbaceous flavors we gin lovers love.” He also touches on the fact that the company uses a vapor-infusion method to gently steam their ingredients rather than boil them, which he deems, “makes Bombay Sapphire the most well balanced gin.”
The commercial ends with Nye’s alter-ego, a vacation-ready Bill sporting a bucket hat, interrupting the science breakdown to introduce Bombay Sapphire & Tonic RTD cocktails. He announces, “Bombay Sapphire has taken care of the science. You just enjoy the magic.”
US Follows Successful Launch in Europe
Bombay seems just as excited about their new beverage as Bill Nye. “Following the successful launch in Europe earlier this year,” said Natasha Curtin, Bombay Sapphire’s Global Vice President.
“I am pleased to announce the latest addition to our growing portfolio, which hits shelves nationwide in April 2021. We’re extremely proud to say that we’ve created an RTD befitting the Bombay Sapphire name in terms of taste, quality and ingredients. We look forward to shaking up this category with sophisticated options that promise to be unrivalled when it comes to taste,” Curtin concluded.
The gin cocktail comes in two varieties including Bombay Sapphire & Tonic and Bombay Sapphire & Light Tonic. The light version contains 90 calories and no sugar. The drinks are sold in packs of four and the cardboard packaging as well as the cans are 100% recyclable.
A History Steeped in Gin
Bombay Sapphire launched in 1986, basing their recipe on the 200 year old formula and methods used to create Bombay Original London Dry Gin. Diageo sold Bombay to Bacardi in 1997.
Bombay Sapphire & Tonic and Bombay Sapphire & Light Tonic will be available to purchase on Drizly as well as at retail outlets across the US.
The gin brand is hopeful that their new RTD beverages will launch as successfully in the US as they did in Europe.
- Seltzer Category Expanded for 2022 Craft Beer Marketing Awards - February 11, 2022
- Drifter Expands Portfolio with Nordic-Style Gin - January 18, 2022
- Tilray Acquires Green Flash and Alpine Beer - December 22, 2021
