The rise and fall of Babycham – the sparkling pear drink that sold the champagne lifestyle at a small price

The rise and fall of Babycham – the sparkling pear drink that sold the champagne lifestyle at a small price

As a cultural historian who has worked with and lectured on the drinks industry for many years I was asked to write a book about post-war Britain and the drinks that made it. I immediately knew I had to include Babycham – a post-austerity tipple that had made Britain smile. Britain in the early 1950s was gradually emerging from the shadow of war and was dealing with bankruptcy and post-war shortages. By the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronatio…