Princess Cruises partners with Handshake Speakeasy, North America’s best bar | News
Princess Cruises has partnered with Handshake Speakeasy, named The Best Bar in North America 2025 by World’s 50 Best Bars two years in a row and celebrated for its inventive cocktail craftsmanship in the heart of Mexico City. This groundbreaking collaboration introduces five exclusive, bespoke cocktails, carefully crafted by Handshake’s award-winning mixologists, and will debut aboard Princess Cruises.
Bringing the spirit and sophistication of Mexico City’s cocktail scene to sea, the collaboration marks Handshake Speakeasy’s first-ever venture with a cruise line. The five signature cocktails will be available on Star Princess from November 14, 2025, with three available in the guest-favorite Crooners bar and two reserved exclusively for guests of The Sanctuary Collection. Availability will be expanded across all 17 Princess ships in the weeks that follow.
“At Princess, we are always looking for ways to enhance our guests’ experiences, and this partnership with Handshake Speakeasy represents the best of the best in cocktail culture,” said Sami Kohen, Princess Cruises Vice President of Food and Beverage. “These are cocktails you can’t get anywhere else in the world. We’re excited to bring these world-class creations to the Princess fleet and offer our guests an unforgettable experience at sea.”
The partnership comes to life through a digital storytelling journey led by Rob Floyd, world-renowned mixologist and global ambassador for Princess Cruises. The journey, recently filmed in Mexico City, features Floyd exploring vibrant markets while Eric Van Beek, co-owner and head mixologist of Handshake, designs cocktails that embody what he calls “the soul of the cocktail.”
Where to sip at sea
The exclusive creations include:
Crooners
Pan Am Punch
Bacardi Superior, Aperol, Lemon, Orgeat
Green tea
Bombay Sapphire Gin, Lemon, Vanilla, Coconut, Matcha Tea
Banana bread FROM
Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey, Banana, Walnut Brown Butter, Maple
The Sanctuary Club (part of The Sanctuary Collection)
Hibiscus & Herbs
Pantalones Tequila Blanco, Hibiscus, Lime, Cinnamon, Cointreau, Vanilla
Red Fruit & Roses
Elyx Vodka, Strawberry, Rosewater, Jasmine Tea, Lime
Handshake’s magic in cocktail making is celebrated for its innovative drinks, refined ambiance and unique Mexican hospitality, including a hidden on-site flavor lab for cocktail making. Handshake is recognized worldwide and has earned the titles of World’s Best Bar 2024 and North America’s Best Bar 2024 and 2025 by World’s 50 Best Bars.
“Working with Handshake Speakeasy is about more than mixing spirits – it’s about telling a story in every sip,” said Rob Floyd, Princess Cruises Global Mixologist Ambassador. “These five cocktails are unique, playful and carry the soul of Mexico City’s vibrant bar culture.”
“We are very excited about this partnership because we can bring a piece of Handshake to more guests and showcase a little piece of our work with a great partner,” said Rodrigo Urraca, co-owner of Handshake Speakeasy.
In addition to this new partnership, Princess continues to take its bar scene to the next level with the popular Love Line Premium Liquors collection. The collection features a selection of carefully curated wines and spirits, featuring both spirited selections and non-alcoholic* creations from renowned celebrities, including:
Pantalones Organic Tequila by Camila and Matthew McConaughey
Meili Vodka by Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson
Sláinte Irish Whiskey by Liev Schreiber
Archer Roose is co-owned by Elizabeth Banks
Seven Daughters Moscato by Taraji P. Henson
Melorosa Sauvignon Blanc and Red Blend, co-founded by Jason Aldean, Kasi Wicks and Chuck Wicks
Love Romero Britto’s Prosecco
Zero Alcohol Sparkling Rosé by Kylie Minogue
Betty Booze by Blake Lively
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.
