Princess Debuts Handshake Speakeasy Cocktails at Sea
Princess Cruises is pushing its bar program forward with a new partnership that brings one of North America’s most respected cocktail teams onboard. Handshake Speakeasy, the Mexico City bar that topped the region for two years straight, has created five exclusive drinks that will debut on Star Princess before rolling out across the fleet.
This isn’t a superficial branding move. Handshake is known for precision, technique, and a flavor lab that obsessively tests every ingredient. Princess tapping them signals a clear shift toward higher-end, craft-driven drinks that actually hold up to what you’d expect in a major cocktail city.
Where to Find the New Drinks
The lineup was developed by Handshake co-owner Eric Van Beek in collaboration with Princess global mixology ambassador Rob Floyd, who spent time in Mexico City documenting the process. The goal was simple: deliver cocktails with layered flavors that feel intentional, modern, and far more interesting than the typical cruise ship pour.
Available Fleetwide at Crooners
Three drinks are coming to Princess’s popular piano lounge across all ships:
- Pan Am Punch – Bacardi Superior, Aperol, lemon, and orgeat for a balanced, travel-inspired twist.
- Green Tea – Bombay Sapphire gin with lemon, vanilla, coconut, and matcha. Expect bright citrus with a soft, creamy edge. (shown above)
- Banana Bread O.F. – Rittenhouse rye with banana, walnut brown butter, and maple. It leans dessert without being cloying.
Exclusive to The Sanctuary Collection
Two cocktails will be poured only for guests booked in The Sanctuary Collection:
- Hibiscus & Spice – Pantalones tequila blanco, hibiscus, cinnamon, citrus, and vanilla.
- Red Fruit & Roses – Elyx vodka, strawberry, rose water, jasmine tea, and lime.
The full collection lands on Star Princess beginning November 14, 2025, then expands across all 17 ships.
Why This Move Matters
Princess has been steadily upgrading its beverage program, and this partnership is the strongest signal yet. Handshake brings credibility that goes well beyond celebrity-backed bottles or novelty drinks. For guests, it means access to cocktails that feel like something you’d order in Mexico City or New York rather than something mixed to meet volume demand.
The new drinks also complement Princess’s existing Love Line Premium Liquors lineup, which highlights spirits tied to major names like Camila and Matthew McConaughey, Jason Momoa, Blake Lively, Taraji P. Henson, and others. Together, these efforts show Princess leaning into a more curated and culinary-forward approach.
Princess didn’t phone this in. Handshake’s mixologists are known for thoughtful, multilayered cocktails, and bringing that philosophy to sea is a major win for anyone who actually cares what ends up in their glass. As the rollout continues across the fleet, expect the bar experience on Princess ships to feel a lot closer to a proper cocktail destination on land.
