Anna Sebastian interviews Katherine Jenkins - From Stage to Spirit

When Katherine Jenkins OBE speaks about music or gin, it’s with the same passion and precision, almost as if there is a natural connection and synergy between the two. Our recent conversation reveals just that, as well as her journey and her purpose behind launching Cygnet Gin, her musical career, uplifting women and why micro moments between us all are so important.   

She is best known for her Welsh heritage and being one of Britain’s most beloved classical mezzo-soprano artists whose vocals have taken her from from the Royal Albert Hall to the Sydney Opera house. Over the last two decades she has built a reputation not only as a world class performer but also as a cultural ambassador, bringing classical music to new audiences. 

Now, Jenkins has extended her artistry into the world of drinks with the launch of Cygnet Gin, a premium Welsh spirit inspired by her heritage (and with a dash of manuka honey - Katherine’s “secret ingredient”!). For Jenkins, it’s more than a brand—it’s an expression of home, craftsmanship, and the joy of sharing something beautiful with others.

Jenkins has a personality that is magnetic and effervescent.  At a recent event at Hakkasan she took the time to engage and say hello to everyone as she worked the room with intention sharing her passion and stories.  Cygnet, recently hired an all star new team to take the brand to the next level, including ex Diageo industry veteran Vedran Milosevic and ex Artesian and No.3 Gin, Gabrielle Sasnauskaite.

She took the time to speak to me about the story behind the growth of Cygnet Gin

AS - I’d love to start with the “why”behind the creation and journey, can you tell me why an incredibly successful singer decided to start a gin brand and the inspiration around it?

KJ - From the moment I began my training at the Royal Academy of Music, I quickly came to understand the absolute importance of protecting and nurturing my voice. We were taught with great discipline the profound impact that diet, lifestyle, and consumption choices could have on performance. Every detail mattered…what to embrace, and just as crucially, what to avoid. Alcohol, in particular, required careful consideration. Time and again, I found there was no gin, or indeed any spirit, that I could enjoy without feeling vocally compromised in the days ahead of a performance.

It was from this personal experience that Cygnet was born. I needed to create a spirit that was light, clean, and beautifully pure, a gin that would complement a mindful lifestyle and allow those of us who are protective of our bodies to indulge without compromise. I couldn’t find anything on the market that reflected the discipline I had been taught as a performer, while still offering a sense of indulgence, elegance, and joy. 

Cygnet is, in many ways, a reflection of my own journey… protecting what is precious, championing conscious craftsmanship, and inspiring women to lead boldly in industries where their voices deserve to be heard.

AS - Outside of making a great gin, how do you want to use your platform to help better the drinks and hospitality industry?

KJ - The drinks industry has long been steeped in tradition, often dominated by male voices, and I am passionate about challenging that. Cygnet is about celebrating women, about creating space for female leadership, innovation, and elegance, and showing that women can shape this industry on their own terms.

Equally important to me is the desire to help define modern luxury and with Cygnet, we’ve been intentional in crafting a spirit that champions sustainability at every step because I believe people seek products that are not only exquisite in taste and presentation but are also made with integrity and care for the world around us. People shouldn’t have to choose between quality and conscience. I believe we can, and should, demand both.

Ultimately, I want Cygnet to support a new era of drinking culture, which celebrates mindful enjoyment, uplifts women, and leads the way in sustainability without ever compromising on beauty or taste.

AS - Are there any synergies between singing and creating an award winning gin? What was your approach to the creation?

KJ - Absolutely! At first glance, opera and gin might seem worlds apart but they both require an extraordinary attention to detail, a deep respect for craft, and that all-important ability to evoke emotion. When I'm singing, I aim to take people on a journey and I believe that Cygnet does the same, creating a feeling of luxury, truly memorable from the first sip. My approach was not dissimilar to preparing for a performance: I spent time learning, tasting, refining. I worked on every step, from the choice of the botanicals (I felt strongly about wanting to include Manuka honey - something I used in everyday life due to its healing properties) to the bottle design, which I like to think of as the couture gown of gin bottles!

AS - Hospitality is all about those micro moments with each other, how can Cygnet enable that moment between people and why is that important? 

KJ - I love this question. I think we all crave connection, especially after the years we’ve had, and those small, magical moments over a drink can be where the best stories are shared and lifelong memories are made. Cygnet was created with that in mind: it’s a gin that invites you to slow down, to savour, to celebrate. Whether you’re toasting something special or just catching up with a friend, I want it to feel like a little moment of luxury. Not intimidating - just quietly fabulous.

AS - Can you tell me about a favourite moment you have had with Cygnet? 

KJ - One that truly stands out is a dinner I hosted earlier this year at Apollo’s Muse to celebrate St. David’s Day. A heartfelt evening bringing together 40 dear Welsh friends from the worlds of music, art, and film. The room was aglow with candles, laughter, and that unmistakable sense of home. Naturally, Cygnet was flowing and as the evening unfolded, something utterly magical happened.  Without prompting, everyone rose to their feet and began to sing Calon Lân in full voice, a song so deeply woven into the Welsh soul. It was spontaneous, emotional, and completely unforgettable. The lyrics speak of having a pure heart, which felt beautifully fitting, not just for the occasion, but for Cygnet too. That moment captured everything I hoped Cygnet could represent… pride in our roots, the joy of coming together, and the celebration of something made with true heart.

AS -And finally, if you could positively impact the drinks and hospitality industry, what would you do? 

KJ - I’d love to continue championing female-led brands and bring a little more elegance, thoughtfulness, and sustainability into the industry. With Cygnet, we’ve been incredibly intentional about those values - from using pure Welsh water to designing our reusable, award-winning bottles, which are as beautiful as they are environmentally conscious.

I believe the drinks industry has a real opportunity to lead with purpose, to combine craftsmanship with conscience, and to prove that luxury and sustainability can (and should) go hand in hand.