8 Drinks You Can Easily Make On An Airplane

Flying can be stressful, and while airplane food has come a long way, the in-flight drink options tend to stay pretty standard: beer, wine and your basic rum and Coke. But with a little creativity, the tiny bottles and limited mixers available at 35,000 feet can be transformed into something a bit more enjoyable.

Whether you’re trying to make your cramped seat a little more comfortable or just want to impress your seatmate, here are a few cocktails you can easily craft mid-flight with the resources on hand.

The Classic Bloody Mary

There’s something about flying that makes a bloody mary taste even better. It’s a cocktail that’s practically made for airplanes—savory, satisfying and easy to assemble. Most airlines stock tomato juice and vodka. If you’re lucky, you might get a dash of hot sauce or a pepper packet. Here’s what you’ll need:

What you need:

• Tomato juice (ask the flight attendant)
• Vodka (buy one of those mini bottles)
• Salt and pepper (from your snack pack or meal)
• Hot sauce (if available)

How to make it:

1. Pour your vodka into a cup with ice (if available).
2. Top it with tomato juice.
3. Add salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste.
4. Give it a swirl with your stirrer (or a pretzel stick in a pinch).

Boom, you’ve got yourself a decent bloody mary to sip while cruising above the clouds.

Tequila Sunrise (Almost)

While you may not get the grenadine for a full tequila sunrise, you can still mix tequila with orange juice for a simplified, sunny drink that hits the spot.

What you need:

• Tequila (mini bottle)
• Orange juice (from the beverage cart)

How to make it:

1. Pour your tequila into a cup.
2. Top with orange juice.
3. Stir and pretend you’re somewhere warmer.

It’s a bright, citrusy cocktail that’s easy to enjoy during your flight.

White Russian

For a creamy and indulgent treat mid-flight, try a white Russian. While you won’t find fresh cream on an airplane, you can improvise with coffee creamer packets, which most airlines have on hand.

What you need:

• Vodka (mini bottle)
• Coffee liqueur (if available, though not always stocked)
• Coffee creamer packets

How to make it:

1. Pour your vodka into a cup.
2. Add coffee liqueur (or strong black coffee, if available).
3. Mix in the coffee creamer packets for creaminess.
4. Stir it all together for a quick, makeshift white Russian.

It’s like a little dessert drink to enjoy at cruising altitude.

Sky High Shandy

If you’re a beer drinker and want to mix things up a bit, you can create a refreshing shandy by mixing beer with a bit of lemonade or soda. It’s light and great for when you want something more than just beer.

What you need:

• Beer (ask for your favorite type available)
• Lemonade or Sprite (ask the flight attendant)

How to make it:

1. Pour your beer into a cup.
2. Add a splash of lemonade or Sprite for a citrusy twist.
3. Stir and enjoy a refreshing, lower-alcohol beverage.

It’s a light and unexpected drink that adds a little fizz and sweetness to your standard beer.

Cognac Coffee

For a sophisticated, warming drink, try mixing your airplane coffee with a mini bottle of cognac or brandy. It’s a perfect option for those longer flights when you need a little kick with your sip.

What you need:

• Cognac or brandy (mini bottle)
• Black coffee (ask for a cup of coffee)

How to make it:

1. Pour your cognac into a cup.
2. Top it off with hot coffee.
3. Stir and enjoy the rich, warming combination.

This unusual mix is perfect for a post-meal drink or to relax on a red-eye flight.

Whiskey Ginger

For a cocktail that packs a punch but is still easy to make on the go, try a whiskey ginger. Most flights have ginger ale on hand, and grabbing a mini bottle of whiskey is a breeze. It’s a classic combo that’s perfect for when you want something simple but effective.

What you need:

• Whiskey (mini bottle)
• Ginger ale (ask for a can)

How to make it:

1. Pour your whiskey over ice.
2. Top it off with ginger ale.
3. Stir and sip.

It’s refreshing, with a bit of a kick to keep you going during the longest flights.

Rum Punch (Kind Of)

If you’re in the mood for something tropical but stuck on a cross-country flight, a DIY rum punch can bring a little vacation vibe to your cramped row. Airlines typically stock orange juice—maybe some cranberry juice—and rum. Combining them creates a fruity, punch-like drink that’s a welcome change from the usual options.

What you need:

• Rum (mini bottle)
• Orange juice
• Cranberry juice (if available)

How to make it:

1. Pour your rum into a cup.
2. Add equal parts orange and cranberry juice.
3. Stir and enjoy your in-flight mini-vacation.

It’s not quite a beach bar, but it’s close enough when you’re stuck in coach.

The DIY Old Fashioned

Now, this one requires a bit of creativity, but it’s possible to pull off a DIY old fashioned even at 35,000 feet. If you’ve packed some sugar packets and can grab a mini whiskey, you’re halfway there. Add a splash of water or club soda, and stir.

What you need:

• Whiskey (mini bottle)
• Sugar packet
• Club soda (or water)

How to make it:

1. Mix your sugar packet with a splash of club soda or water to dissolve it.
2. Pour in your whiskey and stir.

It may not be perfect, but it’s a solid attempt at a classic cocktail in a very unconventional setting.

When it comes to making drinks on a plane, the key is keeping it simple. The ingredients are limited and the tools are basic, but with a little ingenuity, you can elevate your in-flight experience beyond a plain soda or beer. And remember, moderation is key—there’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination feeling less-than-great because you overindulged in mid-air cocktails.

Next time you’re flying, take a look at what’s available and get creative. You might just find that your seat is a little more comfortable with a homemade cocktail in hand!