Princess Cruises has partnered with the Bombay Sapphire Distillery to create a bespoke gin-based cocktail, inspired by the 2,670-guest ship Sapphire Princess and her Mediterranean ports of call.

Influenced by the dazzling blue hues of the Mediterranean sea and sky, the 'Sapphire Princess' is the newest addition to the vessel's cocktail menu. The drink includes a generous measure of Bombay Sapphire gin, which is itself made with botanical ingredients sourced from several of the countries and destinations Sapphire Princess sails to.

The cocktail's mixers include Blue Curacao to evoke the sea, and a splash of Prosecco to signify the fizz and bubbles created by waves in the water.

Intended to appeal to Brits who have a long-standing love affair with gin, the 'Sapphire Princess' will be available on sailings departing from Southampton between April and October 2019. The cocktail launch marks the vessel's return to the UK after sailing around Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Latest figures from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association's (WSTA) Market Report, show that in the 12 months prior to June this year, gin sales in the UK were worth over £1.6 billion and up 38% on the same period last year. Brits bought almost 60 million bottles in the UK, worth an extra £516 million.

In the last 12 months guests onboard Princess Cruises ships have consumed approximately 1.6 million gin and tonics based on a 35ml serving, the equivalent to 28 hot tubs filled with gin.

Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises' vice president UK and Europe, said: “We're excited to offer this brand new cocktail which is bursting with flavours. Guests can enjoy a glass or two in one of the many bars onboard Sapphire Princess, or sitting in the sun on the top deck watching the world sail by.”

Sam Carter, Senior Brand Ambassador for the Bombay Sapphire Distillery, said: “The Sapphire Princess cocktail is a silky smooth, well-balanced libation that takes its inspiration partially from the deep bright blue colour of the Mediterranean Sea and also the countries that the Sapphire Princess sails around. A little splash of Prosecco is added to finish off the cocktail to evoke the fizz and bubbles created by the waves in the sea.”

The new cocktail is available on sailings including:

·        A 7-day Spain and France cruise, departing May 25, 2019 on Sapphire Princess. Sailing roundtrip from Southampton, ports of call include La Coruna (Spain), Bilbao (Spain), Bordeaux (France) and St. Peter Port (Guernsey). Prices from £999 per person (free upgrade from Oceanview to Balcony stateroom).

·        A 14-day Mediterranean Adventurer cruise, departing August 17, 2019 on Sapphire Princess. Sailing roundtrip from Southampton, ports of call include Seville (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), Marseille (Provence - France), Livorno (Florence/Pisa - Italy) Civitavecchia (Rome - Italy), Alghero (Sardinia), Ceuta (Spanish Morocco - Spain). Prices from £1,949 per person (free upgrade from Oceanview to Balcony stateroom).

To book visit www.princess.com, call 0344 338 8663 or contact your local travel agent.

Sapphire Princess Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:
45ml Bombay Sapphire Gin
15ml Blue Curacao
15ml MARTINI Bianco Vermouth
15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
Splash of Prosecco
 
Glassware: chilled martini cocktail glass
 
Method: Squeeze the lemon juice into a cocktail shaker and add all other ingredients (except the Prosecco) including lots of cubed ice and shake well for 10 seconds. Using a fine tea strainer, strain the cocktail into a martini cocktail glass and add a splash of Prosecco. Garnish by squeezing and orange peel disc over the drink, allowing the oils from the orange skin to rest on the top of the drink. Then using a knife, make a cut 1/3rd of the way through the orange peel disc and then place on the rim edge of the glass.
 
Images available to download here: https://we.tl/t-TEvi9BUxbM
YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/FuYCAxkJSIk

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Fare price includes accommodation, all main meals and entertainment.

Prices based on two people sharing

Offer valid until October 31, 2018.

About Princess Cruises

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to more than 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England and World Cruises. Itineraries range in length from three to 111 days.
 
Three new Royal-class ships are currently on order with the next new ship, Sky Princess, under construction scheduled for delivery in October 2019. Princess recently announced that two new (LNG) ships which will be the largest ships in the Princess fleet, accommodating approximately 4,300 guests with expected delivery in 2023 and 2025.  Princess now has five ships arriving over the next six years between 2019 & 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).

About Bombay Sapphire

Based on a secret recipe from 1761, Bombay Sapphire is produced by passing spirit vapour through the botanicals, which are held separately from the spirit in a perforated copper basket. This process, known as vapour infusion, allows the gentle absorption of each of the aromatic flavours, resulting in a wonderfully balanced, crisp yet delicate finish; creating a versatility unmatched by other gins that can be savoured with tonic, in a classic martini cocktail, or in mixed cocktails. The ten botanicals that make Bombay Sapphire so special are carefully sourced from all around the world:

·        Spain - Lemon Peel
·        Spain – Almonds
·        Italy, Tuscany - Juniper Berries
·        Italy – Oris Root
·        China – Liquorice
·        Indo-China – Cassia Bark
·        Morocco – Coriander Seeds
·        Saxony – Angelica Root
·        West Africa, Ghana – Grains of Paradise
·        Java – Cubeb Berries

For further information contact:

Camilla Nash – camilla.nash@princesscruises.co.uk  / 023 8065 6739