In 2020, like many, I spent most of the year at home. This was a major departure from prior years. 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.

We’re finally back to normal and air travel has made a full recovery, at least in the United States. But back in 2020, I craved getting back in the air. I could not wait to get back on the road and try new and exciting business class products.

If you’re like me, you often try to bring home some of the luxuries of a great flight in business class. Whether it’s amenity kits or menus, I always try to bring a keepsake home to remind me of a flight. One way you can enjoy the comfort of business class at home is through the recreation of an airline’s signature cocktails.

One of my favorite signature drinks offered by any airline is JetBlue’s Mint Condition cocktail. Served exclusively in Mint, JetBlue’s business class product, it’s the perfect inflight beverage. It’s also pretty great on the ground. Here’s how to craft the JetBlue Mint Condition cocktail at home.

Here’s how to make JetBlue’s Mint Condition cocktail. (Image contains media from JetBlue)

Background: Making JetBlue Mint Class Cocktail

I am always looking for ways to experience the joys of air travel and embrace 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 by bringing 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. 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.

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

Having finally turned 21 (the legal drinking age in the United States) in 2020, I took up craft cocktails. With menus from past flights, 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. I first experienced this drink without alcohol. Even then, I thoroughly enjoyed JetBlue’s signature Mint Class cocktail.

In the past, I have been able to come close to recreating the recipe for JetBlue’s Mint Condition cocktail. 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 drink. In a matter of minutes, I received a direct message with the recipe.

Related: From the Archives – JetBlue Mint Business Class Review from Boston to San Francisco

JetBlue’s original Mint Class cocktail, the Mint Condition, 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 below, the limeade base should sit overnight so that the mint leaves can infuse into the 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, Mint Condition, Cocktail

• Step 1: Make the Limeade Base
• Step 2: Craft the Cocktail
• Step 3: Enjoy

Step 1: 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 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.

Step 2: Crafting the Cocktail

Once you have made the limeade base, craft the cocktail. Below is what you’ll need for a single serving of JetBlue’s Mint Condition cocktail:

• 2 parts limeade base (see the 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 and pour into a glass with ice.
• Base and club soda can be adjusted to a 1:1 ratio for a less sweet taste.
• 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+*

Recipe for JetBlue’s Mint Condition Cocktail (Infographic created by Max Prosperi. Recipe by JetBlue)

The Bottom Line

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 on the ground. As much fun as this was, it’s still not the same experience as first boarding a new premium class product. While sipping the JetBlue Mint Class cocktail is an enjoyable experience on the ground, it is even better in the air.

What are some of your favorite in-flight cocktails?

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