In the interest of full disclosure, the author earns monetary compensation on selected links. I may receive compensation for your purchase(s) or application completed through links. Content containing affiliate links are noted at the beginning of each post. The opinions and statements expressed in this post and other posts are solely the views of the author and not that of any card issuer, bank, affiliate, or publication.

In 2020, like many, I spent most of the year at home. This was a major departure from the years prior. In total, I traveled just 21,000 miles by plane. At this point, I don’t need to provide any explanation for why this was. We are all well aware of COVID-19’s impact on travel.

While I am optimistic that 2021 will bring a slow return to normalcy, we are still months away from any feeling of what it was like before the pandemic. Like many, I have plans to travel in 2021. I have yet to make any plans for any major international travel. However, I still plan to visit my favorite cities and destinations throughout the United States, as well as some of my favorite destinations throughout Latin America. Nevertheless, I still expect to travel far less in 2021 than I did in 2019.

a map of the world with blue lines

I traveled just under 21,000 miles this past year. This is significantly less than my 2019 travels. (Image via Flightmapper.io)

That being said, I am always looking for ways to experience the joys of air travel. I am always looking for opportunities to unleash my inner AvGeek. Despite being grounded for much of 2020, I managed to stay connected to aviation, air travel, points, and miles. One of the ways I did this was to bring the in-flight experience to my home.

With a stash of in-flight menus from flights spanning the past seven years, I made attempts to recreate in-flight meal services. I would research each dish and attempt to recreate some of the tastier in-flight meals I had had the pleasure of enjoying over the past few years. Additionally, I also busted out some of the business and first class pajamas, amenity kits, and other service amenities that I’ve accumulated from past travels. Needless to say, I was a fiend for air travel last year.

a plate of food on a table

Cathay Pacific First Class appetizer (Image by Max Prosperi/TravelUpdate)

Having finally turned 21 (the legal drinking age in the United States) this past year, I took up craft cocktails. With menus from past flights in hand, I would recreate some of the more unique in-flight drinks offered by airlines. However, there has always been one cocktail I have been longing to recreate. While I first experienced this drink without alcohol, I thoroughly enjoyed JetBlue’s signature Mint Class cocktail.

In the past, I have been able to come close to recreating the recipe. Still, I wanted a carbon copy of what was served in-flight. So, I turned to Twitter. Recently, I reached out to JetBlue (@jetblue) via Twitter to see if they could assist me in tracking down the recipe for their signature in-flight cocktail. In a matter of minutes, I received a direct message with the recipe.

a glass of liquid with a leaf on top

JetBlue’s original Mint Class cocktail was offered as a pre-flight welcome beverage and palate cleanser. (Image via JetBlue)

The same night, I crafted the limeade and the final cocktail. Albeit, I did rush the limeade. As you will see in the recipe included below, the limeade base is to sit overnight so that the mint leaves can infuse into the liquid mixture. To compensate for a less than minty limeade, I added some mint-flavored tea. While the end result was not exactly how I remember JetBlue’s signature in-flight drink, it was close enough.

How To Make JetBlue’s Mint Class Cocktail

Making the Limeade Base

In a container or large cup, preferably a sealable mason jar, add equal parts water and simple syrup (1 Cup). Add freshly squeezed lime juice (1/2 Cup). Alternatively, you can also add in lime juice from concentrate however, this will make the base far more tart than when using freshly squeezed lime juice. Stir in 2 tablespoons of honey. Finally, mix 5 fresh mint sprigs per 1.5 cups of limeade base. Allow the limeade base to steep overnight so that the mint flavor from the leaves is infused into the liquid base. After steeping the mixture overnight, strain the base to remove all mint leaves.

Crafting the Cocktail

Once you have made the limeade base, craft the cocktail:

  • 2 parts limeade base (recipe above)
  • 1 part club soda
  • 1 part vodka (or gin)*, Bombay Sapphire Gin, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka are served on JetBlue flights. Use either liquor for an authentic JetBlue Mint Class experience.
  • Mix all components together and pour into a glass with ice.
  • Base and club can be adjusted to 1:1 for a less sweet option.
  • Garnish with mint.

The following recipe was provided by JetBlue via @jetblue on Twitter. The following recipe has been adapted for this post and the infographic below. It is the intellectual property of JetBlue. *Please drink responsibly / 21+*

How to make the JetBlue Mint Class welcome cocktail.

(Infographic created by Max Prosperi. Recipe by JetBlue)

The Bottom Line

I plan on making the signature JetBlue Mint Class cocktail the right way sometime in the near future. I am someone who will strongly associate smells and tastes with memorable experiences. As such, I found that recreating memorable in-flight meals and drinks has been a great way to relive the joys of air travel while being grounded this past year. As much fun as this was, I am still hoping to travel more than I did in 2021. While sipping the JetBlue Mint Class cocktail is an enjoyable experience on the ground, it is even better in the air.

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In the interest of full disclosure, the author earns monetary compensation on selected links. I may receive compensation for your purchase(s) or application completed through links. Content containing affiliate links are noted at the beginning of each post. The opinions and statements expressed in this post and other posts are solely the views of the author and not that of any card issuer, bank, affiliate, or publication.

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