HAL Craft Cocktails

Holland America Line is introducing an exclusive craft cocktail menu developed by Master Mixologist, Dale DeGroff — known as King Cocktail. DeGroff is the author of two bestselling cocktail books and founding president of The Museum of the American Cocktail. The new craft cocktail menu of speciality drinks showcases the craft cocktail movement and embodies Holland America Line’s commitment to being at the forefront of food and beverage trends. Four of the featured cocktails are destined to become modern classics and highlight young mixologists who are leaders in the craft cocktail movement. 

Since 2016 DeGroff has directed Holland America Line’s cocktail programme to introduce new, innovative libations in the bars on board. Holland America Line ships currently feature a contemporary menu of artfully prepared signature cocktails, as well as some unique originals developed by the 2015 James Beard ‘Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America’ inductee. 

“Dale and our beverage team have put together an exceptional new craft cocktail menu that is an expressive collection of drinks created by some of the foremost experts in the craft cocktail world,” said Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America Line. “We’re continuously working with Dale to evolve our cocktail menus to be on the cutting edge of what’s trending and what’s going to resonate with our guests.” 

The new craft cocktail menu includes: Foggy Boulevardier: a twist on a Boulevardier featuring Ratafia - a wine-based cherry liquor from Italy. Alliance: an original drink created for the Trade Board of Peru to feature the unique Peruvian brandy, pisco. Oaxaca Old Fashioned: a classic Old Fashioned variation that features agave spirits in place of whisky. Penicillin: one of the rare, successful cocktails based on single malt Scotch whisky. Australian bartender Sam Ross paired an Islay whisky and a blended Scotch with honey, lemon and ginger to create a modern classic. Red Hook: Enzo Enrico’s tribute to New York’s Red Hook neighbourhood made famous by the 1954 classic movie ‘On the Waterfront’. Strange Brew: an unusual combination of a hoppy IPA brew, gin and pineapple created by bartender Thomas Waugh at Death & Co in New York. 

In addition to the new craft cocktail menu, DeGroff’s signature cocktails are served in the Gallery Bar and in other shipboard bars and lounges, including the Ocean Bar, the Explorer’s Lounge, the Crow’s Nest and Tamarind Bar, as well as more casual outlets such as the Lido pool bar. The signature cocktail menu also includes the Gallery Gimlet; Hemingway Daiquiri; Yuzu Margarita; The Ritz Cocktail; Whisky and Joe; Another Shade of Greyhound; and a Slightly Less Than Perfect, Perfect Manhattan.