The Andy Warhol Absolut Vodka limited edition bottle
Photo via: F&B News

Absolut Vodka is launching a limited edition Andy Warhol bottle. It is produced in collaboration with the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, which will receive a portion of the proceeds.

The bottle recreates and commemorates the very bottle that Warhol—who started his career as a commercial illustrator—designed in 1986 for the famous “Absolut Warhol” ad. The collaboration launched the brand’s Absolut Art Collection, and marked the start of its ongoing support of contemporary art.

From 1986 to 2004, the brand commissioned around 850 artworks (some of which were subsequently used in print ads) to leading artists including Keith Haring, Nam June Paik, Rosemarie Trockel, Ed Ruscha, Annie Leibovitz, Damien Hirst, and Thea Djordjadze.

The original bottles that Warhol designed for the Absolut Warhol campaign in 1986
Photo: © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.

Four million Absolut Warhol bottles, priced at the brand’s regular price, will be available worldwide from October 1st. The product will be accompanied by a campaign with a participatory twist, via The Andy Warhol Art Exchange. Users who submit a piece of digital art will get one in return from another user, with an original Andy Warhol artwork said to be included in the pool of works.

This isn’t Warhol’s only association with an alcohol brand. In 2010, Dom Perignon launched a collection of three 2002 vintage champagne bottles, designed à la Warhol by the Design Laboratory of the London art school Central Saint Martins. Apparently, Dom Perignon was Warhol’s drink of choice on a night out at the now legendary club Studio 54.