Keith Haring returns to Absolut bottle nearly 40 years on

Absolut Vodka has released a new limited-edition bottle honouring the late American pop artist Keith Haring, nearly 40 years after he first collaborated with the brand, The Drinks Business reports.

The Absolut Haring Artist-Edition revives Haring’s 1986 design, originally created after a recommendation from his friend, Andy Warhol. The refreshed bottle design stays true to the artist’s bold visual style, featuring his signature red lines, a crowd of dancing figures, and a yellow backdrop, offset by the distinctive blue Absolut logo.

Signed off with Haring’s signature and featuring a debossed pattern of his iconic figures, the bottle also incorporates a hand-drawn version of the Absolut medallion around the neck. According to the brand, the release serves as “a piece of 3D kinetic art that transforms the original painting into something you can hold”.

“Absolut has always believed that art should be open, joyful, and for everyone,” said Deb Dasgupta, VP Global Marketing, Absolut Vodka. “Keith Haring’s work radiated that belief – full of energy, colour, and hope. With Absolut Haring, we’re inviting a new generation to celebrate that spirit.”

Global launch and marketing activation

The Absolut Haring Artist-Edition launches in global travel retail from 1 July, with wider distribution in over 40 markets including the UK, Germany, Australia, Mexico, China, Italy and Poland from October, for a limited time only.

To support the release, Absolut has installed a pop-up vending machine at London Gatwick Airport, offering exclusive merchandise with bottle purchases. The campaign also includes 3D billboards at key travel hubs, including Heathrow and Sydney.

In partnership with Uber at Heathrow, Absolut will run an “Add-to-Wallet” campaign providing travellers with a gift voucher to use towards a bottle purchase on arrival.

The bottle will be available in three sizes – 1L, 700ml and 750ml.

Liya Zhang, VP Global Marketing at Pernod Ricard GTR, said: “Following the incredible reception of the Absolut Warhol limited-edition last year, we’re thrilled to now celebrate Keith Haring, a visionary whose work resonates deeply with today’s travellers.”

New cocktail: Absolut Haring Fizz

To coincide with the launch, Absolut has developed a signature cocktail, the Absolut Haring Fizz. Inspired by Haring’s travels through Asia and his New York roots, the drink combines apple, orange, toasted sesame and ginger, with a golden yellow hue echoing the artist’s original work.

A lasting partnership

David Stark, Founder and CEO of Artestar, which represents the Keith Haring Studio, said: “This project with Absolut revives a moment that meant so much to Keith – not just creatively, but symbolically. It’s a wonderful tribute that allows anyone to engage with this special story that started back in 1986.”

Haring was the second artist to collaborate with Absolut as part of the brand’s art campaign, following Warhol. The Absolut Art Collection, now housed at Stockholm’s Spritmuseum, features more than 850 works created by over 550 artists between 1985 and 2004.