The concept of serving high-quality, bespoke cocktails on flights has gained momentum as airlines strive to offer a more luxurious and personalized travel experience. Airlines like Singapore Airlines, SAS, and Emirates have embraced the trend, creating elaborate cocktail menus that rival those of top-tier bars on the ground. According to , these signature beverages often feature premium spirits, fresh ingredients, and creative presentations - setting them apart from the standard in-flight offerings.
The effort to serve quality cocktails at 35,000+ feet involves overcoming challenges, including limited space, turbulence, and the effects of altitude on taste perception. Airline Signature Cocktail Description Emirates Champagne Cocktail A blending of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and aged Hennessy X.O cognac with sugar and Angostura bitters, garnished with a cheerful orange slice and maraschino cherry.
Singapore Airlines Singapore Sling A gin-based cocktail with cherry liqueur, Cointreau, DOM Bénédictine, grenadine, and pineapple juice, inspired by the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Virgin Atlantic Virgin Redhead A bubbly mix of prosecco, Aviation Gin, and raspberry liqueur gets sweetened with sugar syrup, raspberry purée, and a splash of lemon juice. SAS Scandinavian Forest Spring Features Sweden’s award-winning High Coast blended whiskey or Denmark’s equally esteemed Stauning Rye Danish whiskey with cold-pressed apple juice and a splash of organic Swedish ginger ale.
Finn Air Northern Blush BlueSky This bright red drink gets its color and flavor from real Finnish lingonberries, gin and hints of a citrusy orange peel. A blend of Lapponia Blueberry Liqueur and Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut. EVA Air Evergreen Special Aurora Mixed up with melon liqueur, vodka, and Sprite.
A concoction of gin, Cointreau, green mint liqueur, and tonic water or Sprite. British Airways Buck's Fizz Kir Royale It is a twist on a traditional mimosa, with two parts champagne and one part orange juice. Made up of the traditional crème de cassis topped with champagne.
Philippine Airlines Signature Cocktail A medley of champagne, orange juice, sugar cane juice, and mint. Cathay Pacific Betsy beer A brew whose ingredients include Dragon Eye fruit, honey from Hong Kong, and fuggle hops. Royal Air Maroc Casablanca beer A feature brew of premium Moroccan blond lager.
Vietnam Airlines Beloved Hue Described as a Phan Thiet Red Dunes cocktail with a soft, sweet red color. ANA Original Aromatic Kabosu It's actually a citrusy soft drink, spiked with honey. JetBlue Mint A honey-infused limeade with vodka, lime, club soda, and mint.
KLM Flying Dutchman Features Damrak gin, Bols blackberry liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup over ice. Air France So French A seasonal variation of Calvados, cognac, Armagnac, apple juice, or champagne. Many airlines also feature signature mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages.
For example, Malaysia Airlines offers its first class passengers their signature Wau Emas with pineapple juice, soda water, pandan syrup, and lime. Airlines are continually exploring new ways to enhance and streamline the in-flight cocktail experience through innovation. One notable development is the use of pre-mixed, ready-to-serve cocktails.
The cocktails, crafted by professional mixologists, deliver consistency in flavor and presentation, even in the challenging environment of an aircraft. By utilizing high-quality, shelf-stable ingredients, airlines can offer a wider variety of options without compromising taste (or food safety). Another innovation from the other end of the spectrum is the integration of fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers at various destinations.
For example, uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create tropical cocktails that reflect the flavors of the islands through its partnership with Ko Hana Rum. Our five favorite tipples to enjoy a mile high! Airlines often collaborate with renowned mixologists and beverage brands to craft unique cocktails that reflect their identity and enhance the passenger experience. For example, Oneworld recently celebrated its 25th anniversary by introducing a special cocktail created in collaboration with master mixologists.
This celebratory drink, featuring a blend of premium spirits and unique flavors, was designed to symbolize the alliance's commitment to excellence and innovation in aviation hospitality. "Created especially for world’s 25th anniversary by Ago Perrone, the world-renowned Director of Mixology at The Connaught Bar in Mayfair, London, is a subtle blend of London Dry Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Bitter, Mezcal, and a unique world and The Connaught Orange Grove essential oil. Similar to a Negroni, it mixes a timeless Mediterranean character with a Mexican touch to produce a bright spirit and gentle blend with a globetrotting essence.
" While not typically an in-flight offering, a cocktail called the Aviation stands out as a classic example of air travel capturing the collective imagination during the golden age of aviation. Created in 1916 by Hugo R. Ensslin at the Wallick Hotel in New York, the aviation cocktail is a gin-based drink featuring maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Its sky-blue hue, derived from the crème de violette, and its delicate balance of floral and tart flavors made it a fan favorite. Creating and serving cocktails in the sky comes with its own set of challenges. The reduced air pressure and humidity in-flight can affect passengers' sense of taste and smell, making it essential for airlines to adjust their recipes.
According to experts, stronger flavors and aromatic ingredients are often used to ensure that the cocktails remain flavorful even at cruising altitude. Additionally, the limited space and equipment on board require flight attendants to be adept at mixing and assembling drinks quickly and efficiently, often under the constraints of turbulence and time. The airline will feature two new cocktails available for purchase on select flights.
The trend of serving signature cocktails in-flight shows no signs of slowing down. As airlines continue to innovate and enhance their in-flight services, passengers can look forward to even more creative and sophisticated beverage options. Collaborations with renowned bartenders and mixologists, the use of high-quality and locally sourced ingredients, and the incorporation of regional flavors are likely to shape the future of in-flight mixology.
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