Business Class in a Glass: Airline Signature Cocktails and How To Make Them

For decades, in-flight drinks mirrored what you might find in an upscale bar. The best case scenario was a selection of common drinks like an Old Fashioned or a Martini accompanied by a selection of wines. Though, for most, a plastic cup of generic wine, a spirit poured heavy on ice, and perhaps a Bloody Mary if you were lucky enough to be seated near a well-stocked galley was the norm.

But as many airlines have sought to reinforce their brand identities and differentiate their onboard service, a new type of drink has made its way onboard many flights. Airlines are increasingly venturing into the world of mixology and offering passengers signature mixed drinks.

By late 2025, airline drink menus have undergone a quiet renaissance. What was once a routine part of the onboard service has – for some airlines – evolved into a curated extension of brand identity. Airlines now use signature cocktails, proprietary aperitifs, and regional specialties to differentiate their service, especially in premium cabins.

From Singapore Airlines’ iconic Singapore Sling to Lufthansa’s bespoke Avionic aperitif, airlines have made the in-flight beverage service more about storytelling, consistency, and designing flavors that actually work at 35,000 feet.

In this post, we explore the best specialty in-flight cocktails served by airlines around the world and show you how to recreate them at home.

Update: This post was last updated in December 2025.

What Are Airline Signature Cocktails?

An airline signature cocktail is, as the name would suggest, a mixed drink prepared exclusively for and/or created by an airline. These exclusive in-flight cocktails have a long history. The first signature drink served up by an airline was the Pan Am Clipper which likely debuted in the late 1930s.

Aside from the Pan Am Clipper, most airlines spent the better part of the 20th century focusing on offering premium prepared-on-board versions of existing cocktails. TWA would offer passengers in Royal Ambassador made to order Martinis and Manhattans while airlines serving Hawaii added the Mai Tai to menus.

It was not until the late 1990s that airlines started exploring more unique and custom crafted cocktail recipes. The decision to explore custom in-flight cocktails was not only to reinforce brand image but also, to address some of the sensory issues passengers would encounter when at 35,000 feet.

Cabin altitude, low humidity, and background noise significantly dull sweetness while amplifying acidity and bitterness. As a result, in-flight drinks lean into bold flavors such as citrus, ginger, herbal liqueurs, or fortified wines. It’s also why subtle, floral cocktails that shine on the ground often fall flat in the air. This is also one of the reasons both the Bloody Mary and Vodka-Soda have become common selections among travelers.

Airlines also have to consider how its in-flight service impacts operations. A flight attendant serving a full business class cabin cannot consistently execute a complex shaken cocktail on every flight. Additionally, even the largest commercial aircraft are optimized to accommodate as many passengers as possible leaving little extra space to stock dozens of different liquors and spirits. This has driven many airlines toward pre-mixed or ready-to-drink solutions, typically developed in partnership with local distilleries.

The selected signature in-flight cocktails in the list below include a mix of heritage classics, airline creations, and regional specialties that have proven themselves both in the air and on the ground.

Airline Signature Cocktails and How To Make Them

Singapore Airlines – Singapore Sling

No cocktail list would be complete without the Singapore Sling. While not developed exclusively by Singapore Airlines, the drink has become inseparable from the carrier’s onboard identity.

The Singapore Sling is a national icon, rooted in the colonial-era and popularized globally by the Raffles Hotel. Singapore Airlines serves a refined version onboard, allowing the drink to function as a liquid ambassador for the city-state.

What it tastes like: Tropical and lightly herbal, with pineapple providing body while Bénédictine and bitters prevent it from becoming cloying.

At-Home Recipe

• Gin: 1 oz (30 ml)
• Cherry liqueur (Cherry Heering): 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• Cointreau: 1/4 oz (7.5 ml)
• Bénédictine DOM: 1/4 oz (7.5 ml)
• Grenadine: 1/3 oz (10 ml)
• Pineapple juice: 4 oz (120 ml)
• Fresh lime juice: 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• Angostura bitters: 1 dash

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice for 10–12 seconds and strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.

Serve: Garnish with a pineapple wedge and cocktail cherry.

Air Canada – Signature Cocktail

Air Canada’s Signature Cocktail is served exclusively on the ground in the airline’s Signature Suite lounges. Air Canada is not the only airline that has upped its premium experience on the ground. With space constraints not being much of a problem on the ground and the popularity of premium lounges, bespoke cocktail menus have become commonplace at lounges like Air Canada’s Signature Suites.

Built on rye whiskey, amaro, and maple syrup, the drink is unmistakably Canadian while remaining restrained and sophisticated.

What it tastes like: Spirit-forward and bittersweet, with warming vanilla and maple notes.

At-Home Recipe

• Rye whiskey: 1 1/2 oz (45 ml)
• Averna amaro: 3/4 oz (22.5 ml)
• Maple syrup: 1 barspoon to 1/4 oz (5–7.5 ml)
• Vanilla bitters: 2 dashes

Method: Stir with ice for 20–25 seconds and strain into a rocks glass over a large cube.

Serve: Express an orange peel over the drink.

Virgin Atlantic – The Virgin Redhead

The Virgin Redhead is one of the earliest examples of a true airline-original cocktail. Created for Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class cabin and its Clubhouse lounges, it’s a perfect example of the airline’s playful and bold branding.

In recent years, Virgin Atlantic has transitioned the drink to a premium ready-to-drink format to ensure consistency onboard though it is still prepared fresh at the airline’s Clubhouse lounges.

What it tastes like: Bright, berry-forward, and lightly effervescent.

At-Home Recipe

• Gin: 1 oz (30 ml)
• Crème de cassis: 1/3 oz (10 ml)
• Crème de framboise: 1/3 oz (10 ml)
• Fresh lemon juice: 1/4 oz (7.5 ml)
• Prosecco or Champagne: 3–4 oz (90–120 ml)

Method: Shake gin, liqueurs, and lemon briefly. Strain into a flute and top with bubbles.

JetBlue – Mint Condition

The Mint Condition is arguably the most successful modern airline cocktail in North America. Created specifically for JetBlue’s Mint cabin, it’s designed to mix  hydration, freshness, and bold flavors that stand up to cabin conditions. Additionally, it is one of my favorite in-flight cocktails. You can check out my full length post with the recipe here.

What it tastes like: Crisp, minty, and refreshing.

Cathay Pacific – Cloud Nine

Cloud Nine is Cathay Pacific’s alcoholic counterpart to the airline’s famous Cathay Delight mocktail. It adds orange liqueur for extra body and weight, making it slightly richer, albeit, similar to JetBlue’s Mint Condition.

What it tastes like: Bright citrus with a subtle sweetness and more heft than a typical highball.

At-Home Recipe

• Vodka: 1 1/2 oz (45 ml)
• Cointreau: 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• Fresh lemon juice: 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• Sprite: 3–4 oz (90–120 ml)

Method: Shake spirits and citrus briefly, strain into a highball, and top with soda. Best served over a few ice cubes.

Related: What is Cathay Pacific First Class Like?

Emirates – Breakfast Martini

Served in Emirates’ A380 onboard lounge, the Breakfast Martini is a creative and refined choice that works surprisingly well in the air. It’s also a great hair-of-the-dog for passengers that had one too many glasses of Dom Pérignon the evening prior.

What it tastes like: Gin-forward with bright citrus and a marmalade richness.

At-Home Recipe

• Gin: 2 oz (60 ml)
• Cointreau: 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• Fresh lemon juice: 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• Orange marmalade: 1 barspoon to 2 tsp

Method: Shake hard, fine strain into a chilled coupe.

Related: Emirates Business Class Review (Newark to Athens)

Up to 100,000 Bonus Points: Learn more about American Express’ current referral bonus on the Gold Card in our full post.

KLM – The Flying Dutchman

KLM’s Flying Dutchman leans into Dutch spirits and classic European cocktail structure.

What it tastes like: Clean, brisk, and berry-driven, similar to a Bramble.

At-Home Recipe

• Dutch gin or genever: 1 1/2 oz (45 ml)
• Bols blackberry liqueur: 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• Fresh lemon juice: 3/4 oz (22.5 ml)
• Simple syrup: 1/4 oz (7.5 ml)

Method: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled coupe.

Lufthansa – Avionic

Avionic is Lufthansa’s proprietary aperitif, developed with German distillery Ziegler. It debuted fairly recently and has become a favorite among the airline’s frequent flyers. It’s also one of the few drinks on this list that you can purchase ready-to-drink from Lufthansa’s Worldshop.

Important note: The real Avionic is pre-distilled and cannot be perfectly replicated. The recipe below is a best-effort approximation.

Approximation Recipe

• Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano: 1 1/2 oz (45 ml)
• Peach liqueur: 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• Herbal bitters: 2 dashes
• Tonic water: 3–4 1/2 oz (90–135 ml)

Method: Build over ice in a wine glass and top with tonic.

As previously mentioned, you can buy both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of Lufthansa’s Avionic from the Worldshop. For those based in the EU, you can order Avionic online and have it shipped right to your door.

Additionally, for travelers passing through Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin, you can stop by one of the physical Worldshops to pick up a bottle.

SWISS – Alpine Essence

SWISS’ Alpine Essence reflects the airline’s alpine heritage through herbal and floral notes. It’s also a fairly new beverage having been introduced in June 2025.

What it tastes like: Dry, herbal, lightly minty, and complex.

At-Home Recipe

• Dry white vermouth: 1 1/2 oz (45 ml)
• Elderflower syrup: 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• White crème de menthe: 1/4 oz (7.5 ml)
• White crème de cacao: 1/4 oz (7.5 ml)
• Lemon juice: 1 tsp to 1/4 oz

Method: Stir with ice and strain over a large cube.

Finnair – Northern Blush

Northern Blush showcases Nordic ingredients, particularly lingonberry. Northern Blush is also another premixed ready-to-drink cocktail.

What it tastes like: Tart, dry, and refreshing.

At-Home Recipe

• Gin: 1 1/2 oz (45 ml)
• Lingonberry juice: 2 oz (60 ml)
• Cointreau: 1/2 oz (15 ml)

Method: Stir gently. Can be served with or without ice.

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Fiji Airways – Hugo Blue Turtle

Fiji Airways uses locally distilled Blue Turtle Gin to introduce travelers to the destination before arrival. The Distillery Co. of Fiji states that “this is not your traditional light London Dry. It’s a big, expressive, South Pacific gin — bursting with tropical depth, spice, and warmth.” It is crafted from Fijian sugarcane and distilled with botanicals native to the island.

Unfortunately, unless you have the pleasure of residing on the Fijian islands, you likely won’t have access to this drink’s main ingredient. At least for those in the United States, it does not appear that Blue Turtle Gin has made its way this far north. This means that, to have this unique gin shipped to your door, you will have to go through a somewhat complex process of importing it yourself.

What it tastes like: Bright, minty, and lightly tropical.

At-Home Recipe

• Gin: 1 1/2 oz (45 ml)
• Elderflower liqueur: 1/2 oz (15 ml)
• Fresh lime juice: 1/4–1/2 oz
• Sparkling wine or soda: 3–4 oz
• Fresh mint

Other Honorable Mentions

There are dozens of additional signature cocktails served by airlines either in-flight or in premium lounges. The list above is just a selection of some of the top signature cocktails. They’re also fairly easy to make at home if you want to recreate the in-flight experience in your kitchen.

Here are a few more signature drinks including some non-alcoholic options for those partaking in dry January.

Non-Alcoholic

• Air New Zealand: Kawakawa Tea
• China Airlines: Bubble Tea (WooTEA)
• Qatar Airways: So Jennie
• Cathay Pacific: Cathay Delight

Beer

During the rise of IPAs in the mid-2010s, a number of airlines, especially in the United States, worked with local breweries to design special edition IPAs. Many of these special-edition in-flight IPAs are still available including two of our favorites:

• British Airways: Speedbird IPA
• Alaska Airlines: Cloud Cruiser IPA

The Bottom Line

Airline signature cocktails have quietly become one of the most effective product differentiators in premium travel. They are a small detail, but often make the in-flight experience more memorable.

What makes this new era of airline mixology especially interesting is that it is not just about “better alcohol.” It is about designing for constraints. Cabin pressure and low humidity change how we perceive flavor. Operational limitations make complex, made-to-order drinks difficult to execute consistently.

These are just two reasons why so many modern airline signatures lean into bold and reliable flavor profiles. Citrus, bitterness, ginger, herbal liqueurs, and fortified wines tend to translate well at 35,000 feet. Some airlines solve the consistency problem with ready-to-drink formats, while others build signature serves that are simple enough to mix correctly in a galley without slowing service.

Whether it’s a refreshing Mint Condition, a spirit-forward lounge cocktail from Air Canada, or a heritage icon like the Singapore Sling, these drinks offer travelers a small but memorable luxury.

What are some of your favorite in-flight cocktails?

Featured: Explore In-Flight Wines

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