Buzz
Flying can be a dreadful experience, which is why many people turn to drinks. However, a plane is far from a bar, so the drinking options are limited. While rum and cokes, gin and tonics, and vodka sodas can get the job done, bringing along a cocktail kit can enhance the experience and offer a fun distraction from the reality of being on a plane.
It’s helpful to know your drink preferences when assembling your kit, but feel free to pack a variety of items to suit any taste.
Lemons and limes: Citrus fruits are a must for many cocktails, and they can also brighten up a simple drink. I pack wedges as well as strips of zest—both are great for cutting through the airplane’s stale air. (Other citrus options like grapefruit and orange work wonderfully too.)
Honey sticks: Each stick holds about half a teaspoon of honey and doubles as a stirrer.
Bitters: A one-ounce dropper bottle filled with Angostura bitters is a handy item to have. If anyone inquires, tell them it’s an herbal tincture to calm your nerves, which, in fact, it is.
Mint: Fresh mint for a mojito can make your flight more enjoyable and, just like citrus, it helps improve the scent of the plane. Be sure to check with your seatmate first to ensure no one has allergies.
Cherries or olives: These are a bit over-the-top, but they’re the perfect touch for drinks like an Old Fashioned or Bloody Mary.
Store all of these items in a TSA-approved pouch or quart-sized freezer bag and pack them in your carry-on. Once beverage service is underway, order your drinks and start crafting your cocktails. You probably already have some great ideas in mind, but feel free to borrow some inspiration from the following suggestions.
A mojito: Grab a mini bottle of white rum, a club soda, and a packet of sugar, along with an empty cup. Slice a lime into four wedges and add them to the cup along with 10 mint leaves. Sprinkle the sugar over, and muddle the ingredients using the small rum bottle (make sure to clean it with an anti-bacterial wipe if needed). Pour in the rum, stir well, add ice, and finish by topping it off with club soda.
A variation of Bee’s Knees: Pick up a mini bottle of gin and an additional empty cup. Squeeze three lemon wedges into the cup, and drop in three or four honey sticks. Add the gin and stir until the honey dissolves completely. Add ice, stir once more, and your drink is ready.
An old fashioned: Order a small bottle of bourbon along with a sugar packet, an empty cup, and a water (you can use the plane’s water, though plane water is sketchy). Empty the sugar packet into the cup, soak it with bitters, and add a splash of water. Muddle the sugar with the bourbon bottle until it dissolves, then add the ice and bourbon. Stir it gently, and finish with a garnish of orange zest or a cherry.
If the idea of flying feels so daunting that even making a drink sounds too much, that's perfectly okay. Just grab a Coke and some red wine, mix them in equal parts, and you've got yourself a kalimotxo, like a trendy Spanish teen would do.
