Great cocktails can capture a moment, a memory, or even a destination, and few places understand that better than Mexico City’s acclaimed bar scene. Now, one of its most celebrated names is stepping far beyond the capital’s speakeasy doors to debut an experience at sea.
Princess Cruises has announced a new collaboration with Handshake Speakeasy, the Mexico City bar named North America’s Best Bar for 2025 by World’s 50 Best Bars. The partnership introduces five exclusive cocktails created by Handshake’s award-winning team, marking the speakeasy’s first venture with any cruise line.
According to Princess Cruises, the new lineup blends the brand’s onboard hospitality with Handshake’s inventive approach to mixology. The drinks will debut on November 14, 2025, beginning on Star Princess, before expanding fleetwide across all 17 ships. Three of the creations will be featured at Crooners, a longstanding favorite among Princess guests, while two will be served only within The Sanctuary Collection.
The move reflects a growing trend in travel: increasingly elevated food and beverage experiences that mirror the craft and creativity found in major cities. For Princess Cruises, partnering with a bar known for its hidden flavor lab, meticulous recipes, and refined presentation signals an effort to bring contemporary cocktail culture to the open ocean.
“At Princess, we’re always searching for ways to elevate 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. He said the exclusive cocktails deliver flavors travelers “simply can’t get anywhere else in the world.”
Handshake Speakeasy has gained international acclaim for its intimate atmosphere and forward-thinking takes on classic drinks. The bar’s co-owner and lead mixologist Eric Van Beek is known for shaping cocktails that balance technique with storytelling, a philosophy that now guides the new at-sea menu. A digital storytelling series accompanying the collaboration follows Princess Cruises’ global ambassador Rob Floyd through Mexico City markets as he works with Van Beek to craft cocktails that embody what Floyd calls “the soul of the cocktail.”
Among the new offerings, the Green Tea cocktail stands out with its combination of gin, vanilla, coconut, and matcha—now available fleetwide inside Crooners. The Pan Am Punch and Banana Bread Old Fashioned reinterpret familiar flavors with layered ingredients, while the Sanctuary Collection’s Hibiscus & Spice and Red Fruit & Roses showcase bright, floral profiles reminiscent of Mexico’s vibrant culinary traditions.
Handshake’s co-owner Rodrigo Urraca said the collaboration allows the bar to share its craft with a wider global audience. “We are really excited with this collaboration, because we can bring a piece of Handshake to more guests and show a little bit of our work with a great partner,” he said.
The partnership also complements Princess Cruises’ expanding catalogue of premium spirits and wines. The line’s Love Line Premium Liquors collection brings selections curated or created by public figures such as Camila and Matthew McConaughey, Jason Momoa, Liev Schreiber, Elizabeth Banks, and Kylie Minogue. Together, these offerings reflect a broader shift toward upscale beverage programs across the cruise industry, appealing to travelers who view cocktails as part of the cultural experience of a voyage.
For travelers, Handshake’s arrival at sea means a chance to enjoy world-class cocktails without the waitlists, reservation challenges, or destination planning required to visit one of North America’s most awarded bars. It also adds a layer of cultural connection, offering flavors influenced by Mexico City’s neighborhoods, markets, and aromas—elements that Handshake’s bartenders weave into their craft.
As Princess Cruises continues to refine its culinary and beverage identity, these new creations underscore the growing role of gastronomy in shaping modern travel experiences. For guests sailing this winter and beyond, a quiet corner of the ship and a carefully crafted drink may now offer a taste of Mexico City’s celebrated cocktail artistry.
Travelers can learn more about Princess Cruises’ onboard experiences and fleetwide bar offerings on the company’s official website.
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