As the launch of its new ship approaches in less than six months, Cunard has announced the unveiling of an exclusive new gin in honour of Queen Anne. The Queen Anne Edition will celebrate the finest botanicals found throughout the British Isles and will be the finishing touch to the Cunard 4 Queens gin collection, signifying the brand’s comprehensive flavour range and international footprint.

In collaboration with nationally cherished bartender and TV celebrity, Merlin Griffiths, Cunard presents the ideal serving of the Queen Anne Edition. The gin is paired with uniquely British botanicals, combining woody milk thistle, heather, and zesty sea buckthorn with the delicate sweetness of Queen Anne rose petals and blackcurrant leaf.

The Queen Anne Edition completes the collection that includes Queen Mary 2 Edition (celebrating America with hints of crisp apple, warm cinnamon, and succulent cherry), Queen Victoria Edition (flavours of the Mediterranean with blood orange, lemon myrtle, and olive leaf), and Queen Elizabeth Edition (imbued with Oriental influences such as Lotus Root, Star Anise, and Kaffir Lime Leaf).

The artisanal London Dry gin, created uniquely for Cunard, renews Cunard’s alliance with Summerhall Distillery and pivots around a time-honoured Bombay family recipe from 17 July 1947. The distillery, founded in 2013 and based in Edinburgh, boasts a personal connection to the luxury cruise line – its co-founder Marcus Pickering’s great-uncle George Gibbons served as Captain of Cunard White Star liners from 1909 to 1944.

The Queen Anne Edition will be available at all lounges and eateries aboard Queen Anne and will star in a new, under-wraps cocktail designed for passengers of Cunard’s newest ship.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be launching the Queen Anne Edition of our new Cunard 4 Queens gin collection, which neatly demonstrates our commitment to providing refined and contemporary experiences for our guests. It’s been really special to have Merlin Griffiths bring the product to life and showcase how guests can make Queen Anne-inspired cocktails at home, but this new gin is more than just an exciting tipple, it is a celebration of the British Isles and unique charm. At Cunard, we are very proud of our British heritage and always strive to reflect our legacy in new and elevated propositions for the modern traveller.”