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.

The new cocktail is available on sailings including:

• A 7-day Spain and France cruise, departing May 25, 2019 on Sapphire Princess. Sailing round-trip 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 round-trip 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).