Posted By Laura in Cocktails!, Entertaining | 1 comment

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 – rather aptly named, here’s the Sapphire Princess Cocktail Recipe

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.  Just LOOK at it…

The cocktail launch marks the vessel’s return to the UK after sailing around Asia and the Indian Ocean. And yes, fret not – the recipe is down below!

Latest figures* , 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!

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.” 

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 1/3^rd of the way through the orange peel disc and then place on the rim edge of the glass.

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*from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s (WSTA) Market Report