Phoebe Waller-Bridge designs Fleabag gin for Fringe fundraiser

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has designed a Fleabag-inspired gin, with profits from the bottles to go to the festival where she debuted the show.

The actress, writer and producer has collaborated with Edinburgh Gin to produce a screen-printed, hand-drawn design.

It features a handwritten “I love you” from Phoebe’s titular character and “It’ll Pass” from Andrew Scott’s Hot Priest – their exchange from the closing scene of the BBC show.

All profits from the bottles will go towards supporting artists to return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where Fleabag first debuted in 2013.

Waller-Bridge, who earlier this year was named the first president of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Gin and theatre are my two great loves.

“We wanted this bottle to capture a glimpse of Edinburgh in all her mystery and wonder, through the eyes of Fleabag, who found her first home there.

“I hope every purchase inspires outrageous and creative conversations over ice while bringing the beloved Fringe festival back to life.

“It’s important to add that Andrew Scott handwrote a message on the bottle… if that isn’t incentive enough to hunt one down and hold it against your cheek, I don’t know what is.”

Only a few thousand of the £48 bottles will be available to buy. The first will go on sale on July 20 to those who sign up in advance at edinburghgin.com.

It is hoped to raise £150,000 for the Fringe ahead of its 75th anniversary in 2022.

Shona McCarthy, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society chief executive, said: “The Fringe is known for being the greatest celebration of arts and culture on the planet, and that’s in no small part due to the brilliant artists that make it happen every year.

“Artists tell vital stories, help us make sense of things, and make Edinburgh an even more magical place to be in August.

“As we look to rebuild the Fringe, it’s essential that artists are supported to recover.

“This collaboration between the Fringe Society, Edinburgh Gin and Phoebe Waller-Bridge will be a much-needed lifeline to so many Fringe artists, it will enable them to get back to doing what they do best.”