Bombay
Bombay is a family of London Dry gins best known worldwide through Bombay Sapphire, the distinctive blue-bottled brand launched in 1987. The gin traces its recipe lineage to 1761, and the original Bombay Dry Gin brand was introduced in 1959, positioning itself as a lighter, more aromatic take on the classic London Dry style.
Owned by Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire is built around a vapor-infusion method that produces a smooth, botanically layered spirit favored in classic cocktails like the Martini and Gin & Tonic. The range spans the flagship Bombay Sapphire, higher-proof and specialty editions, and the traditional Bombay Dry Gin, offering options for both mixing and sipping.
Bombay is a family of London Dry gins best known worldwide through Bombay Sapphire, the distinctive blue-bottled brand launched in 1987.
Read more about Bombay
Bombay is a family of London Dry gins best known worldwide through Bombay Sapphire, the distinctive blue-bottled brand launched in 1987. The gin traces its recipe lineage to 1761, and the original Bombay Dry Gin brand was introduced in 1959, positioning itself as a lighter, more aromatic take on the classic London Dry style.
Owned by Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire is built around a vapor-infusion method that produces a smooth, botanically layered spirit favored in classic cocktails like the Martini and Gin & Tonic. The range spans the flagship Bombay Sapphire, higher-proof and specialty editions, and the traditional Bombay Dry Gin, offering options for both mixing and sipping.
History and Background
Bombay Dry Gin was first launched in 1959, drawing on a gin recipe dating to 1761. The brand's name and imagery evoke the era of British influence in India, reflecting the historical popularity of gin and tonic during that period. It was created as a smoother, more aromatic alternative to the heavier, juniper-forward London Dry gins common at the time.
In 1987, the brand expanded with the introduction of Bombay Sapphire, distinguished by its instantly recognizable frosted blue bottle. Bombay Sapphire quickly became one of the most influential premium gins in the world, helping to drive the broader premium gin revival of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The Bombay brand is owned by Bacardi Limited. Bombay Sapphire is distilled at the Laverstoke Mill distillery in Hampshire, England, a restored historic site that also serves as a visitor destination and showcases the brand's botanical and production story.
Production and House Style
Bombay Sapphire is defined by its vapor-infusion process. Rather than boiling botanicals directly in the spirit, the neutral grain spirit is heated and its vapors pass through a copper basket holding the botanicals, gently drawing out delicate aromatic oils. This method contributes to the gin's characteristically bright, balanced, and less overtly juniper-heavy profile.
Bombay Sapphire uses ten botanicals, including juniper, coriander, angelica, cassia bark, licorice, orris root, almond, lemon peel, and the distinctive additions of grains of paradise and cubeb berries. These last two lend subtle peppery and citrus complexity that help set the gin apart within the London Dry category.
The house style across the Bombay range emphasizes smoothness and aromatic lift, making the gins highly versatile in cocktails. Bombay Sapphire's approachable character has made it a go-to base for Martinis, Negronis, Gin & Tonics, and a wide array of contemporary mixed drinks.
The Range and What to Expect
The core offering is Bombay Sapphire, typically bottled at 40% ABV (with a 47% version available in some markets). It is the everyday flagship: crisp, balanced, and reliable for mixing. The traditional Bombay Dry Gin, with its original recipe and more classic profile, remains available for those seeking a more juniper-forward experience.
The brand has also released specialty and premium expressions over the years, such as Bombay Sapphire East, which incorporates additional botanicals including lemongrass and black peppercorns, and Star of Bombay, a higher-proof, richer expression with added botanicals like ambrette seed and bergamot orange peel for a more luxurious sipping gin.
When buying, consider your intended use: standard Bombay Sapphire suits versatile everyday cocktails, higher-proof versions add intensity that holds up in strong-flavored drinks, and premium editions like Star of Bombay reward a slower pour or a refined Martini. Availability of specialty editions can vary by market and release.