Classic cocktails once again popular on board – one in every five drinks ordered from the cocktail list is alcohol-free
This summer, Tom Collins, Blue Angels and other classic cocktails, along with rosé and sparkling wine, will be enjoyed on Viking Line’s vessels. There is also a growing trend of non-alcoholic cocktails or “mocktails” – as many as one in five drinks ordered from the drinks menu on Viking Line’s vessels is alcohol-free. A gin boom is also noted in the tax-free shops, while whisky is popular and there is generally a greater awareness of quality.
The lifting of Covid restrictions will be apparent this summer not just in the strong demand for boat journeys but also in the choices made by travellers.
“There seems to be a bit of nostalgia in the air when people have an opportunity to enjoy boat journeys after a few years’ pause. Our passengers will have a nostalgia trip by ordering a classic elegant cocktail for instance, like a Blue Angel or Whisky Sour,” says Ossi Ruusunen, who heads the beverage team for Viking Line’s restaurants.
Along with classic cocktails, more and more passengers want mixed drinks that are low in alcohol or non-alcoholic.
“I would say that about one in every five drinks ordered from the drinks menu in our restaurants is non-alcoholic. And I’m not talking about drinks aimed at children but cocktails developed for an adult palate, where non-alcoholic gin or non-alcoholic prosecco, for example, is used. Low-alcohol beverages have also grown in popularity. For instance, the Italian cocktail Aperol Spritz is still extremely popular – and alongside beer the classic Finnish gin-based Long Drink or lonkero has become the biggest seller out on the sundeck. Vermouth-based Martini Fieros are also ordered a lot,” says Ossi Ruusunen.
Long Drinks, which are available with different mixes, have also overtaken cider.
“Beer and Long Drinks on tap are always popular on board our vessels and have far outsold different ciders and breezers. The beers with the strongest demand are different kinds of lager, IPAs and APAs. There is also growing demand for beers from microbreweries.”
In the tax-free shops, an increased interest in gin and whisky is seen.
“The interest in quality whisky and gin has grown significantly in recent years. We are continuously developing our assortment to meet our customers’ wishes,” says Mats Kotka, who is Head of Retail Operations and in charge of Viking Line’s tax-free shopping.
When it comes to wines, our passengers are especially interested in rosé and sparkling wines – such as cava, crémant and prosecco – as well as champagne. Both in the restaurants on board and the tax-free shops, customers’ quality awareness is apparent – people nowadays buy more expensive wines of higher quality. The shops on board also have a large assortment for wine connoisseurs. The threshold for getting acquainted with high-quality products both in the restaurants and shops is otherwise also lower, since people on board get these products at a more affordable price.
“For example, the campaign products in the tax-free shops are 25–50 per cent cheaper than the same products on land,” Mats Kotka notes.
One key criterion is that it should be easy to shop.
“In two years, our pre-order service has doubled in popularity. We deliver products ordered in advance online or purchased in the shop straight to the customer’s car.”
And are there any differences in the drink choices of our dear neighbours – that is, the Swedes –compared to those of the Finns?
“Swedes like sweeter drinks. The also like to eat shellfish on the vessels and drink quality white wine with that,” Ossi Ruusunen adds.
Hit drink in summer 2022: Arctic Blue Gin Rose
Ossi Ruusunen, who is in charge of the beverage team for Viking Line’s restaurants, reveals Viking Line’s hit drink for summer 2022: “There has been a lot of hype about gin-based cocktails in recent years, and there is still no end in sight for that boom. This summer, people will especially enjoy Arctic Blue Gin Rose in the restaurants and bars on board Viking Line’s vessels. This Finnish gin gets its fantastic blue colour from blueberries and rose petals, among other ingredients. We serve it as a refreshing drink together with raspberry tonic.”
The summer’s drink trends on board Viking Line’s vessels:
• Rosé and sparkling wines
• Cocktails are popular, and the classics are making a comeback
• Low-alcohol mixed cocktails
• Non-alcoholic cocktails, mocktails, for adults
• Finnish Long Drinks and beer continue to be popular
For further information:
Ossi Ruusunen, Head of the Beverage Team for Viking Line’s restaurants
ossi.ruusunen@vikingline.com, +358 50 555 4308
Mats Kotka, Head of Retail Operations at Viking Line
mats.kotka@vikingline.com, +358 44 999 9099
Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
johanna.boijer@vikingline.com, +358 18 270 00
Christa Grönlund, Communications Manager
christa.gronlund@vikingline.com, +358 9 123 51
Wine themes on board Viking Line’s vessels:
May 16– Jun 12 Rosé (rosé wines)
Jun 13–Jul 17 BBQ (the best wines for the barbeque season)
Jul 18–Sep 4 Crayfish (drinks for crayfish parties)
These themes will be seen on board in the form of special campaign offers, sampling and recommendations. Staff have undergone wine training and can give detailed information about the wines.
Special wine cruises
May 21 Viking Grace, Champagne cruise, Essi Avellan Masterclass
May 28 XPRS, Champagne cruise, Essi Avellan Masterclass
Sep 10 XPRS, Champagne cruise, Essi Avellan Masterclass
Sep 16 Cinderella, Wine & Champagne Cruise (the entire vessel has been booked) NEW THEME CRUISE, 2022
Cruises with a special drinks theme
June 6 Cinderella, Whisky Cruise, theme: ARDBEG
Sep 2–3 Cinderella, Gin Cruise NEW THEME CRUISE, 2022
Sep 16 Cinderella, Champagne & Wine Fair
Sep 23 Cinderella, Whisky Cruise, theme: BRUICHLADDICH
