Bar Pros Share the Clever Way to Make DIY Boozy Cocktails on a Flight… Without Breaking the Rules

BAR experts have revealed how you can make DIY alcoholic cocktails on a flight without breaking any rules.

A group of six experienced bartenders and restaurants shared their recommendations for the best high-end drinks—and the snacks to go with them—with Food and Wine.

Given that most airlines don’t offer a wide variety of high-quality cocktails, it’s a great opportunity to mix your own.

Luckily though, the onboard drinks carts usually have a decent range of spirits and mixers to see you through long flights.

You can enjoy a classic like a vodka martini or a more exotic drink like a sunrise tequila, all from the comfort of your seat.

Extra ingredients like citrus fruits, powdered spices, sauces or sugar cubes to spice up your drink can be brought from home as long as they comply with safety and import restrictions.

For example, one cocktail expert recommended bringing some miniature dry Tajin seasoning and travel-size Tabasco to mix with a measure of vodka and tomato juice to create a Bloody Mary.

Alternatively, you can combine equal parts cola and red wine for a Spanish concoction known as Kalimotxo.

Or a squeeze of lemon and some sugar along with some gin and sparkling water makes a tasty Tom Collins.

Plus, it’ll probably be a better value per drink than the pre-mixed items you can buy from the cabin crew.

Just make sure you drink in moderation, not only for the benefit of other passengers, but also because staff will refuse to serve you or even stop you from boarding if they consider you to be intoxicated.

Pay attention to your pace, especially because, according to doctors, the low pressure inside the cabin can reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood, which means you will feel the effects of less alcohol more intensely.

Being drunk on a plane is a criminal offense and carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine of up to £80,000.

Likewise, some airlines have stopped selling alcoholic beverages on their flights, including SouthWest and American Airlines.

It turns out that flight attendants have reacted to a stupid new fad among young passengers, describing it as “dangerous and idiotic”.

Seven Easy Make-Yourself Airline Cocktails and Snacks to Pair Them

1. Bourbon Highball (bourbon, sparkling water) with salted almonds
2. Gin and Juice (gin, orange juice, pinch of salt) with mix of olives
3. Bloody Mary (vodka, tomato juice, Tabasco, Tajin) with salted pretzels
4. Kalimotxo (cola, red wine) with mini mezze plate
5. Tom Collins (sugar, lemon juice, gin, soda water) with salted pretzels
6. Mimosa (orange juice, prosecco) with Sunchips
7. Tequila Sunrise (tequila, orange juice, cranberry juice, brown sugar) with breakfast sandwich