Bombay Sapphire Gin

Bombay Sapphire Gin is a 47% ABV (94 proof), 750mL London Dry gin distilled at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, England — the US bottling strength. Per Bacardi's brand materials, it is based on a recipe dating to 1761 and balances ten hand-selected botanicals — juniper, lemon peel, coriander seed, orris root, angelica root, bitter almond, liquorice, cassia bark, cubeb berries and grains of paradise — each gently vapour-infused rather than boiled in the spirit. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.

• ABV: 47% (94 proof) — US bottling
• Size: 750mL
• Style: London Dry gin, vapour-infused
• Botanicals: 10 — juniper, lemon peel, coriander, orris, angelica, bitter almond, liquorice, cassia, cubeb, grains of paradise (official shop list)
• Recipe: Based on a 1761 recipe (Bacardi)
• Origin: Laverstoke Mill, Hampshire, England — Bombay Spirits Co. (Bacardi)

Vapour, Not Boiling — the 1761 Idea

Bombay Sapphire's lightness starts with its stills: in the Carterhead tradition that the Dakin family adapted in the 1800s, spirit vapour rises through copper baskets holding the ten botanicals, picking up aroma without ever boiling the botanicals in the liquid — the method behind its bright, floral profile. The modern brand launched in the late 1980s in its flat-sided blue bottle, named for Bombay and the Star of Bombay sapphire, and joined Bacardi in the late 1990s; since 2014 every drop has been distilled at Laverstoke Mill, a former banknote-paper mill reimagined with Heatherwick Studio's botanical glasshouses. Find it in our gin range, browse the wider spirits shelf, or visit the Bombay vendor page.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Delicate juniper with vibrant citrus, per the official shop. Palate: Bright and aromatic — citrus and subtle spice in balance, with the smoothness vapour infusion is known for. Finish: Clean, light and floral.

How to Enjoy

The classic serve is a gin and tonic with a lime wedge in a balloon glass, where the vapour-infused aromatics open up. It also makes a notably bright, floral martini — stir it down cold and garnish with lemon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 10 botanicals in Bombay Sapphire? Juniper, lemon peel, coriander seed, orris root, angelica root, bitter almond, liquorice, cassia bark, cubeb berries and grains of paradise — the official list.

Why is Bombay Sapphire 47% here but 40% elsewhere? Bottling strength varies by market: the US bottling is 47% ABV / 94 proof, while the UK bottling is 40%. This listing is the US bottling.

What is vapour infusion? Instead of steeping botanicals in the spirit, vapour passes through them in copper baskets during distillation, giving a lighter, more floral gin — Bombay Sapphire is 100% vapour-infused.

The blue-bottle classic at full US strength — order Bombay Sapphire online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.