Prince Albert II attended the final of this year’s ‘A Cocktail for the Ocean’ competition on March 22nd, where Monaco bartender Maëvah Lorion of Gaia Monte-Carlo beat 12 rivals from across Europe to claim the top prize.

The ceremony took place at Restaurant Amù in the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, closing the third edition of the contest organised by Prince Explorer Gin, a Monaco based spirit brand.

Thirteen bar teams, selected from more than 50 candidate establishments across Europe, had competed over the course of the event with entries from Italy, Croatia, France, Malta and Monaco.

Maëvah Lorion took first place with the ‘Okeanos’ cocktail. Second place went to Enzo Pajany of the Bar Américain de l’Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo with ‘Hirondelle’, and third to Gilda Giovannoni of Amazonico Monte-Carlo with ‘Sky and Shell’.

A panel of four industry judges assessed the entries, each of which was required to feature Prince Explorer Gin as a core ingredient

However, ocean conversation sits at the heart of the competition. For every cocktail sold during the contest, Prince Explorer donated €1 to marine conservation projects. “This competition was born from the simple conviction that mixology can carry real purpose,” said Giacomo Frateschi, co-founder of Prince Explorer Gin. “Seeing thirteen teams from across Europe rise to the challenge with such talent and dedication is the clearest proof that our conviction is shared.”

226 bottles, eight months under the sea

Since last November, 226 bottles of Prince Explorer Gin have been lying on the bed of the Mediterranean as part of an underwater ageing experiment the brand calls Operation Explorer. The theory is that the pressure, temperature and movement of the sea alter the spirit in ways that conventional ageing cannot.  The bottles are due to be retrieved on 22nd June, shortly after World Oceans Day.

Monegasque freediver Pierre Frolla, a four time world record holder, will dive to bring up the first bottle. A ceremony will then take place aboard a catamaran moored before Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum, where the bottle will be formally presented to Prince Albert II.

Ten bottles from the limited edition, signed by both Prince and Frolla, are earmarked for international auction, with all proceeds directed to ocean conservation.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Main photo credit: Coline Ciais-Soulhat, Prince Explorer