The American bottled water brand Liquid Death has sold out of an unusual product: iced tea cans containing trace DNA from legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne. These 10 limited-edition cans, priced at US$450 (approximately C$615) each, were swiftly snatched up by admirers, despite the high price and unique design.
The company disclosed that Osbourne drank directly from the cans, leaving DNA in the form of saliva. Each can was sealed in a glass container labeled “Official DNA sample,” which included a numbered sticker and the date of collection. Each item of memorabilia bears Osbourne’s autograph, adding to its authenticity.
The 73-year-old singer is best known as the frontman of heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath, and he has remained a popular figure in both music and culture. From his reality TV success with The Osbournes to his infamous bat-biting stage stunt, Osbourne’s legacy is as wild as it is memorable.
The DNA-filled cans were part of Liquid Death’s tongue-in-cheek advertising, claiming fans could “recycle Ozzy forever.” Despite sounding satirical, the corporation highlighted that the product was authentic and in high demand.
The campaign also included a promotional video that leaned into the absurd. In it, the narrator suggests that one day, when science and laws catch up, fans could potentially clone Ozzy Osbourne and “enjoy him for hundreds of years into the future.”
The ad took things even further, humorously hinting that future generations might witness “early ’80s Ozzy” performing at children’s birthday parties. One segment even featured an actor dressed as Osbourne pretending to bite the head off a plastic bat, leaving kids screaming, a darkly funny nod to one of Ozzy’s most infamous on-stage moments.
While the tone is unmistakably playful, Liquid Death insists the product is not a joke. The brand is known for its edgy and unconventional advertising, and this DNA stunt is just another example of its out-of-the-box approach.
As of Wednesday morning, the company’s official website confirmed the product had sold out completely. No word yet on whether more DNA-laced cans will be released in the future, but one thing’s for sure, Ozzy Osbourne remains as uncloneable and in-demand as ever.
With fans willing to pay hundreds for a can of iced tea with a rockstar’s spit, this campaign proves that when it comes to celebrity memorabilia, the thirst for originality (and oddity) knows no bounds.
