Babycham sales dropped from 144 million to 15 million bottles

The Showering family has reacquired Babycham, a sparkling pear drink that fell out of favor in the 1980s but is now being pitched as a viable option for Christmas entertaining.

Francis and Herbert Showering created the beverage in 1953 in Shepton Mallet, originally naming it Baby Champ before the name shifted to Babycham. The brand recently returned to the family after years of corporate ownership, most recently under Accolade Wines.

The Showerings have worked in the drinks industry for 14 generations. Their brothers established Brothers Drinks in the 1990s, a company that currently serves as the official sponsor of the Glastonbury Festival.

Babycham is a perry made from fermented perry pears, which are smaller, harder, and sourer than standard supermarket fruit. The drink has a 6% alcohol by volume content and a sweet, fruity profile. A pack of four 20cl bottles costs 3.90 pounds at Tesco.

The product was designed to be accessible, described by its creators as Champagne de la Poire. It served as a lower-cost alternative to champagne for everyday drinkers in the 1950s and 1960s.

Sales figures illustrate the drink's decline. Roughly 144 million bottles were sold in 1977, but that number fell to 15 million by 2011. The drop in popularity coincided with the 1980s, when consumers began favoring wine and cocktails from diverse regions.

The writer notes that Babycham became associated with old-fashioned tastes and sweet flavors during that decade. This perception contrasts with current trends, where sweet cocktails like the Pornstar Martini and Espresso Martini remain popular in bars.

Other 1970s beverages, such as Fluffy Ducks, Advocaat, and Galliano, are often dismissed as relics. The writer argues that Babycham merits a second look because it is low in alcohol, affordable, and familiar to many older generations who served it at holiday gatherings.

The article suggests serving the drink in chilled champagne coupe glasses, optionally with a maraschino cherry. It pairs well with simple snacks like cheese straws and mini sausage rolls, rather than oysters or caviar.